What I can see

The “Grande Bretagne” hotel is one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in Athens.

What I can't see

When it was constructed it had two separate buildings, the first ones built on Syntagma Square. Hansen’s building was classicist but it also brilliantly combined Renaissance elements. He decorated it with a score of elements to add a touch of emotion, clearly influenced by Charles Schinkel. The railings were built based on Viennese designs. King Otto, who had a say in the approval of the design because of its proximity to the palace, was extremely excited about Hansen’s plans. After management was transfer to the “Grande Bretagne” company, the hotel was expanded toward Panepistimiou Street, with different floor heights compared to the original building and incorporated poor imitations of Hansen’s main elements. When the original building was demolished, it was built again but this time as an expansion of the previous one. The result is inferior to the original design. The name “Grande Bretagne” was given after it became a hotel. Similar names were given to hotels during the same period, showing the Greeks’ desire to embrace the cultural and economic achievements of Western countries. 

Info

• Address: Syntagma Square
• Phone: +30 210 3330000
• Website: http://www.grandebretagne.gr/

Bibliography