Vienna Hotel
The Vienna Hotel façade's design was based on the modern trends of the time, in the context of the principles of classicism.
Modern and Contemporary era (1912 - )
1925 Built.
1994 The building was restored and its interior was altered.
Ottoman era (1453- 1912)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
The former Vienna Hotel is considered one of the most valuable newer monuments of Egnatia Street. It is an eclectic building, the design of which was based on neoclassicism and has many elements of architectural and decorative trends of the time. It had a capacity of 55 rooms and was famous for the organization of the spaces and the façade’s decoration. It is structured in three horizontal axes: base, main body and crowning, although the top floor was not built. The receding fourth floor we see today is a recent addition. The retreat of the central part, which corresponded to the common areas, makes the building symmetrical. The central part and the third level have more intense decoration made of plaster. The built cobles support the cornice, on which the parapet was built. Shops were housed on the ground floor and their lofts on the mezzanine.
What I can't see
The hotel was built on the site of the church of Agia Kyriaki. It was designed by Giorgos Κampanellos and several studies preceded its construction. It was one of the few hotels whose owners did not rent them to businessmen. During WWII, it was requisitioned by the Germans and it was rumored that in addition to torture, orgies were also held here. However, this has not yet been confirmed. Folk singers and songwriters Markos Vamvakaris and Giorgos Ambatis (Batis) were among the hotel’s clients. Today, the building’s interior has been significantly modified and houses the European Agency for the Reconstruction of the Balkans and the Stability Pact.
Info
- Address: 4 Egnatia St.
Bibliography
Kardamitsi Adami Μ., (2003), Αρχιτεκτονική, παλαιά ρεύματα και σύγχρονες λύσεις, [Architecture, old orders and contemporary solutions], in Ιστορία του νέου ελληνισμού, 1770-2000, [History of modern Hellenism], Ellinika Grammata, v.7, p.p. 211- 234
Megas I., (2001), Στα χρόνια του Μεσοπολέμου, [In the Interwar years], in Παλαιά Ξενοδοχεία της Θεσσαλονίκης, [Old hotels of Thessaloniki], in Epta Imeres, Kathimerini, p.p. 16- 18
Collective Work, (1985-6), Νεώτερα Μνημεία της Θεσσαλονίκης [Modern Monuments of Thessaloniki], Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Northern Greece
Hekimoglou E., (2001), Δίπλα στο Καραβάν Σεράι, [Next to Caravan Saray], in Παλαιά Ξενοδοχεία της Θεσσαλονίκης, [Old hotels of Thessaloniki], in Epta Imeres, Kathimerini, p.p. 2-4