A high-rise hotel in Athens has been ordered to demolish its top two floors following complaints that the building obstructed views of the Acropolis.
If you lived in a city with one of the greatest architectural achievements of Western civilization nearby, chances are you’d want to see it. Therefore, when a ten-storey hotel opened last year in the upscale district of Koukaki, right next to the Acropolis, residents and activists in Athens raised concerns that the building blocked the view of this UNESCO World Heritage site from public access.
The five-star Coco-Mat Athens BC Hotel on Falirou Street boasts a rooftop garden complete with a swimming pool and terrace views overlooking the ancient hilltop site. Its website indicates that some suites offer unobstructed vistas of the Acropolis. However, following months of local protests, the Central Archaeological Council—the government organization responsible for safeguarding Greece’s cultural heritage—has mandated that hotel owners demolish the two top floors.
Greece’s Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, stated during a SKAI TV interview that it was a “difficult” decision to make, considering building permission had previously been granted and the hotel was already operational. Nevertheless, she emphasized that “the Acropolis had to be protected,” adding, “when the Acropolis is offended, in essence, our culture is offended.”
High-rise buildings are relatively rare in Athens due to concerns that they may overshadow the ancient hilltop site. Current legislation permits structures to reach heights of up to 32 metres. However, planning laws are now under reassessment. According to The Guardian, the Council of State (Greece’s highest court) recently issued a ruling stating that future buildings in the area must be limited to 21 metres (68 ft) or less to safeguard the views of the Acropolis. This ruling follows the council’s revocation of planning permission for an even larger hotel that was set to be constructed in Makriyianni, the neighborhood directly south of the Acropolis.
Meanwhile, as Greece has been under lockdown since 13 March, renovation work has begun on the archaeological site to enhance accessibility. Visitor lifts have been installed, and new lighting has been added to the hill. Additionally, parts of the scaffolding that previously obstructed views of the Parthenon have been removed, allowing for improved visibility of this historic landmark.
