A 4-star hotel that had been neighboring the municipal park and archaeological museum of Limassol for many years no longer exists.
Despite protests from the Cyprus Architects Association on Tuesday, June 13, the famous Curium Palace hotel was demolished.
The complete dismantling of the foundation and removal of construction debris is planned to be completed by the end of the week.
It should be noted that in December 2022, the local authorities concluded that the building had no historical value for the city and was not eligible for inclusion in the list of state-protected heritage sites. As a result, the investor who acquired the hotel obtained permission for its demolition.
As expected, a modern commercial building will soon be erected in place of Curium Palace in Limassol. The high-rise will have 9 floors, with shops on the lower levels and office spaces on the upper levels. Interestingly, Mayor Nikos Nicolaides suggested creating an exhibition of photographs dedicated to the former hotel or installing its miniature in a small garden in front of the entrance to the new property. However, the investor has not yet expressed their opinion on this matter.
In turn, the residents were shocked by what happened.
Some nostalgically recalled the hotel, writing on social media that the building had good architecture. Others noted that an entire era has passed. A resident of Limassol, Andreas Anastasiou, shared that he celebrated his wedding with his wife at Curium Palace in 1947. Anastasiou emphasized that the hotel held great significance for his family. Therefore, when he drove past the hotel in the morning and saw it being demolished, he didn't know how to react. The man got out of his car, shouted, waved his hands. And then he grabbed one of the window frames being removed from the building and loaded into the garbage bin, put it in his trunk, and drove away. At home, he hung it above the entrance as a memory of the hotel.
Let us remind you that Curium Palace was a 4-star hotel that opened in 1948. The hotel represented a significant part of the city's colonial history. It was named after the ancient city of Curium, one of the main archaeological attractions of Limassol. The hotel was designed by the famous Austrian architect Benjamin Günsberg.
For detailed information about all the projects in Limassol, you can contact the specialists at the number one real estate agency in Cyprus, DOM, by phone at +357 25 212 212 or arrange a personal meeting at Demetri Psatha 24, Kolonakiou 4102, Limassol, Cyprus.
It is very sad to see and it holds many memories. Funnily enough, in the last week at that hotel
was when I was asked what my proper name was. I gave a Greek/Austrian a clue and he told me what my proper name was. I was always known by my nickname Bluey. He was able to tell me that I had been named
after a famous Greek sculpter MYRON. I never knew that and I am sure my mother never knew either.
Even after all these years I have spoken fondly of the Curium Palace and lovely barman Lucca, and the waiter Tony and Barney. We were based on road block supervision at Yermasoia. I still have and will always keep
my photos of the grand old CURIUM PALACE HOTEL in Limassol.