Athens Dark Tourism Spot: Exploring A Nazi Torture Site
How well do we know our hometown? Living in Athens all my life, I thought I knew most tourist posts. I was shocked when I found that an Athens dark tourism spot was in the city’s center. A place Nazis used to imprison and torture people during the German occupation. I am speaking about the “1941-1944 Memorial Site”, the place of the former Kommandatur.
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Where to Stay in Athens
Well, before we proceed with the Dark Tourism guide, you’ll need a place to stay in Athens, don’t you? Luckily, as one of the tourism capitals of the world, Athens offers a plethora of accommodation options.
Budget-Friendly Choices
- Athens Meli: A modern, budget-friendly accommodation offering clean, comfortable rooms with air conditioning, private bathrooms and often private balconies, making it a practical base for exploring the city. Located slightly outside the very tourist-heavy center, it provides a quieter stay while still being well connected to public transport and amenities. It’s a good choice for travellers who want good value for money, simple comfort and easy access to central Athens.
- Phaedra Hotel: A simple, budget-friendly hotel located in the heart of Plaka, just a short walk from the Acropolis and major archaeological sites, making it ideal for sightseeing-focused travellers. Although facilities are modest and there is no luxury feel, the hotel stands out for its excellent location and good value, especially for short stays where you plan to spend most of your time exploring the city.
- Kimon Hotel Athens: A simple, well-located budget hotel in the heart of Plaka, just a short walk from the Acropolis and Syntagma Square, making it ideal for travellers who want to explore Athens on foot. It offers clean, functional rooms with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, and a small rooftop terrace with Acropolis views. A good choice for short stays where location matters more than luxury.
Middle-Range Hotels
- COCO‑MAT Athens Jumelle: A stylish boutique hotel in the upscale Kolonaki neighborhood, combining a restored 1925 neoclassical mansion with modern design elements. It features eco-friendly COCO‑MAT mattresses, minimalist natural interiors, and sound‑proofed rooms for a peaceful stay in the city center. Ideal for travellers seeking a blend of comfort, sustainability, and central location, it offers a calm, elegant base close to Syntagma Square, Lycabettus Hill, and other major attractions.
- NEW Hotel Athens: A stylish, design-focused hotel located just steps from Syntagma Square, offering easy access to the Acropolis and Plaka. The 79 rooms and suites feature modern décor, comfortable bedding, and contemporary bathrooms, while common areas showcase bold, artistic interiors. Ideal for travellers who value modern design, central location, and boutique-style comfort.
- Titania Hotel Athens: A centrally located 4‑star hotel between Syntagma and Omonia Squares, offering easy access to Athens’ main attractions, shopping, and transport. The hotel combines classical elegance with modern amenities, including a lobby café and the rooftop Olive Garden Restaurant, which provides panoramic views of the Acropolis and the city.
Top / Boutique & Luxury Picks
- Elektra Palace Athens: A nice pick if you want comfort plus history: located in a central area (close to old town / Plaka), with good amenities and easy access to many of the city’s main landmarks.
- The Dolli: This hotel is right in the heart of Athens (Monastiraki area), in a historic building with stylish contemporary design. It offers rooftop views of the Acropolis, a romantic rooftop restaurant, and original artworks. A great choice if you want a combination of history, elegance and a bit of romance.
- Grande Bretagne Hotel: Known as one of Athens’ most prestigious classic hotels, located centrally (Syntagma / city-centre area). Good for travelers who want convenience, a refined stay and easy access to central Athens.
A (Not So) Little Bit Of History Of An Athens Dark Tourism Spot
Pre WWII
The thing is, in the beginning, this place was never meant to become an Athens dark tourism spot. In August 1894, the newly-founded “I ETHNIKI” General Insurance Company purchased the 4 Korai Street mansion to house its head offices there.
Forty years later, the company’s Board announced a resolution to reconstruct the building. Part of its new uses would be as an anti-aircraft shelter in case of a new war.
WWII
During World War II, Greece was occupied by Axis powers. As part of their military administration, the occupying forces established Kommandanturen, the headquarters for the military administration and the local branch of the occupying power.
In Athens, the central Komandatur was housed in the basement of the 4 Korai Street building and was responsible for maintaining control, enforcing orders, and overseeing various aspects of governance in the occupied territories. They typically housed military personnel, administrative staff, and officials of the occupying forces.
The building basements were used as detention centers. Men and women were kept inside before being transferred to other prisons. They were often being held for days without food or water. Because of the thick walls and the metal doors, the basements were soundproof. That’s why even though the building was right in the city center, nothing could be heard outside.
Prisoners would carve stories on the walls, like their names, why they were detained, or how they were treated inside the building basements. German soldiers occasionally painted the walls to erase the cravings, but again the prisoners would write their stories so people would know the truth when they found them.
Post WWII
On 12/10/1944, the German occupying troops left Athens. While the National Insurance Company was preparing to settle in its building on 31 October of the same year, the Mansion was requisitioned by the EAM and afterward by the Greek Government. A few years later, the company regained control of the building.
In the following years, Ethniki Insurance commenced works to preserve the Mansion and repair the damages caused by the consecutive requisitions. The detention centers underwent restoration and conservation work to better show off the detainees’ graffiti and messages on the metal doors, walls, and windows.
Texts, names, dates, drawings, etc., were preserved, and the two basements were opened to the public. It can now be considered an Athens dark tourism spot.
Visiting Hours
Entry to “Memorial Site 1941-1944” is open to the public every Tuesday-Saturday (09:00-14:00) free of charge. It is also open on the 28th of October National Day. The building is located at 4 Korai Street, in Klafthmonos Square. The metro station “Panepistimio” is located in the square.
An Honest Opinion
This Athens dark tourism site consists of two basements and six chambers. While entering the first basement, you are greeted by a big Nazi flag hanging on the wall. It was once placed on top of the building. The same space also displays artifacts such as cigarette packs found there after the war had ended.
In the first basement, you can’t see many things proving the use of that space. It is only in chamber IV that you can see rust traces on the floor, proving that there used to exist six small cages where people were kept captive.
When you reach the second basement, feelings start to arise. You can see Greek, Italian, or German writings on the walls. I could spend hours and hours just reading those texts.
Every name, every word is part of another story. Stories of innocent people held captive in inhumane conditions, without food or water. It is then that you realize that in the same space, you are standing on, people suffered and were tortured, which is terrifying.
Every time I went to the memorial site, I found new stories that I hadn’t seen the previous time. It is an Athens dark tourism experience like not many in Athens, and I would recommend it to anyone visiting the city.
