Background
He was born in the town of Velventos in Kozani.
He was born in the town of Velventos in Kozani.
As a youth he moved to Bucharest where he studied at the Greek School. After escaping, he traveled to Vienna, and then to Leipzig, where he studied architecture.
On 1821 he fought in the insurrection against the Turks led by Alexander Ypsilanti and was captured at the Battle of Dragashani. Afterwards he pursued his studies further in Berlin with Karl Friedrich Schinkel. On 1832 they created a new city plan for Athens, which included wide avenues, gardens and grand public buildings and gave the first street names in Athens.
The plan was however simplified by Leo von Klenze, as it was considered too expensive.
After disagreements with the administration, Kleanthis resigned his position. Kleanthis gained great wealth not only through architecture, but also through the marble quarries he operated on the island of Paros.
On 1862 he was seriously injured in an accident in a quarry and he was transported to Athens, where he died. Kleanthis designed many important buildings in Athens, including the Duchess of Plaisance"s mansion, Villa Ilissia (today the Byzantine & Christian Museum of Athens).
The University of Athens was initially accommodated in his house in Plaka, which now houses the Athens University Museum.
