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The Most Bombed Hotel in Europe Isn’t Where You’d Expect
The story of the Europa Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland was torn apart by sectarian conflict during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The Protestant unionists wanted Northern Ireland to remain a part of the United Kingdom while Catholic republicans wanted a united Ireland, north and south.
Fighting broke out and more than 3500 people, including innocent civilians, were killed during the three-decade-long conflict known as The Troubles. Over 16,000 bombs exploded across N.I. from both sides and the violence spread to Dublin, Ireland, and London, U.K.
Amid the violence, one building stood strong in the centre of Belfast and represented a symbol of strength throughout the bloody atrocities. That building was the Europa Hotel, which holds the title of Europe’s most bombed hotel.
1960–1968
In the early to mid-1960s, Northern Ireland was a prosperous place. There was relative peace and the growing economy had led to a major construction boom. A decision was made to build a large new luxury hotel right in the centre of Belfast as a sign of the country’s economic growth.
1968
In the summer of 1968, trouble broke out and delayed the building of the hotel. The fighting, which initially started in Derry~Londonderry, received widespread media coverage, and journalists were flown in from London to report on the story.
These journalists were put up in two old hotels in Belfast city, one being the Grand Central and the other being Royal Avenue. Both of these hotels still operate in Belfast today in name, however they are not the same hotels that were around in 1968.
1969–1971
The violence in Northern Ireland steadily grew and the U.K. government were forced to send in the British Army to help control the situation. Despite the uncertainty, construction of the Europa Hotel continued and the 12 story building slowly started to emerge from the skyline, becoming Belfast’s tallest building.
Car bombs became a popular way for the fighters to spread terror and it wasn’t long before the Europa fell victim…
