Aria Hotels Revives Maria Callas’ Legacy with ‘La Divina’

Photo source: Aria Hotels

Aria Hotels, a Greek hospitality group, has revived Maria Callas’ legacy by transforming an old conservatory dedicated to the great soprano into a new hotel in the heart of Athens.

Named “La Divina”, the hotel opened its doors in the spring where the old “Odeon Atheneum” used to stand in the historic neighborhood of Thissio, highlighting the city’s neoclassical atmosphere and musical history.

Drawing inspiration from its history, the group reconstructed the complex while maintaining its unique features, converting its musical legacy into a hospitality experience, as revealed by the group’s management during a tour of the hotel’s facilities for journalists.

According to the executives, the group’s philosophy is to select properties that preserve the unique features of their locations, with the aim of promoting their architectural and cultural value.

Aria Hotels, a subsidiary of the Libra Group, has a strategic development plan focused on investing in selected hotel accommodations and boutique hotels to highlight the culture, architecture, and history of Greece.

La Divina: Hospitality with elegance

Featuring twelve spacious suites, La Divina combines authentic Greek hospitality with elegance overlooking the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora of Thissio, and the National Observatory of Athens.

Designed with a vintage aesthetic and contemporary flair, all suites are named after famous operas performed by Maria Callas and are decorated with earthy colors and natural materials such as stone and wood.

Guests exploring their options will find that the hotel’s neighborhood offers the opportunity to experience the true essence of Athens. Modern restaurants blend with traditional Greek taverns, creating the ideal setting for savoring local cuisine and wines.

Additionally, the hotel’s location is perfect for those interested in exploring Athens’ historical landmarks and museums, as well as experiencing the city’s vibrant nightlife.

A building with 127 years of history

Built in 1897, the neoclassical building was initially the main residence of the renowned Karavasilis family and one of the largest and most beautiful urban houses in Athens.

In 1992, the building became home to the “Odeon Atheneum” Conservatory, dedicated to the life and work of Maria Callas, under the management of the Ministry of Culture.

Maria Callas

Maria Callas. Photo source: Greek National Opera

The year 2023 marked the 100th anniversary of Maria Callas’ birth, the most important lyric singer of the 20th century. Born in New York on December 2, 1923, to Greek immigrant parents, Callas lived in America until the age of fourteen.

After her parents’ divorce, she moved to Athens with her mother and sister. In Greece, she immediately began her musical training, first at the National Conservatory and then at the Athens Conservatoire, where she excelled in both vocal abilities and acting skills.

She performed her first roles during the German occupation and, after the war, continued her musical studies in Italy. It was there that Callas took on the roles that established her in opera and marked the beginning of a career that transformed lyric theater.

In 1977, Maria Callas lost her life after suffering a heart attack while in Paris.