“Is that building really almost 100 years old?” someone asks. It is indeed. Today we stand before the General Nomarchic Hospital of Athens Korgialenio Benakio Hellenic Red Cross Erythrou Stavrou. More simply the Red Cross Hospital. This hospital has served Athens for nearly a century.
The Red Cross Hospital stands in the Erythros Stavros district. Erythros Stavros means Red Cross. It is appropriately named. The hospital is a district general hospital. You can find it at 2 Athanasaki street.
In 1923, the hospital design was commissioned to architect Aristeidis Balanos. On April 7 1927 the foundation stone was laid. A German company handled the construction. The hospital officially opened November 23 1930. It began operating December 15 1930. Initially it had 2 clinics Pathology and Surgery. Four laboratories were also available Radiology Biochemistry Microbiology and Pathology. At that time the hospital had 185 beds.
Expansions continued over the decades. In 1978 a 9-story wing was added. The hospital tried to expand more in the 90s. An unfinished building at Mesogeion Avenue and Sofias Schliemann Street stood incomplete for years. The Town Planning Department deemed it unsuitable. It was demolished May 22 1994 using controlled explosions. Six years later Errikos Dynan Hospital was built on that site.
Today the Red Cross Hospital continues its service to Athens. It is a vital part of the Greek healthcare system. The General Nomarchic Hospital of Athens Korgialenio Benakio Hellenic Red Cross Erythrou Stavrou stands as a testament to the citys commitment to care and healing. It is a landmark recognized throughout Athens.