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Ygia Group Solidifies Its Position as Cyprus’ Largest Private Healthcare Provider with Eden Acquisition

Strategic Expansion in Health Infrastructure

The Ygia Group has completed its acquisition of Eden Medical Center, marking a significant step forward in its long-term strategy to expand health infrastructure across Cyprus and the broader Mediterranean region. With this move, Ygia now stands as the largest private provider of inpatient care in Cyprus, boasting more than 270 beds, and further reinforcing its reputation as a leader in patient-centered healthcare.

Integrated Healthcare Excellence

The acquisition follows a rigorous approval process by the Commission for the Protection of Competition, ensuring that Ygia Hospital, already the largest private hospital in Cyprus and fully integrated into the General Healthcare System (GeSY), continues to set high standards of medical service. Eden Medical Center, established in 2018 in Larnaca, is renowned for its comprehensive rehabilitation and palliative care services. These services address a wide range of medical conditions—from post-operative recovery to chronic illnesses—highlighting the center’s commitment to enhancing patient quality of life and dignified care.

Leadership Vision and Strategic Commitment

Savvas Liassis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ECM Partners and the Ygia Group, emphasized that this acquisition is a critical milestone. “With this acquisition, ECM Partners, which holds over 90 percent of the Ygia Group, marks another important milestone in its long-term strategy to invest in health infrastructure in Cyprus and the wider region,” Liassis remarked. He further noted that Eden’s strong reputation in specialized care aligns seamlessly with Ygia’s vision of an integrated, patient-centric healthcare system. This strategic expansion supports a continued commitment to building resilient, accessible, and future-ready health systems across Southeastern Europe.

Expanding Comprehensive Care

Polyvios Dionysiou, CEO of Ygia, added, “Today we are pleased to announce the acquisition of Eden Medical Center by Ygia Hospital. This strategic move further strengthens our commitment to providing comprehensive and continuous healthcare, covering and coordinating the entire spectrum from hospital treatment to rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into daily life.” With Eden now a pivotal part of its network, Ygia ensures that patients benefit from consistently high standards of care and a holistic approach towards medical treatment and recovery.

Strengthening the Regional Healthcare Landscape

Founded in 1983 in Limassol, Ygia Hospital has consistently set benchmarks in healthcare with 560 staff members, 180 doctors, and a broad array of medical services including specialized diagnostic departments, accident and emergency units, and intensive care facilities. ECM Partners, with its extensive portfolio in Central and Southeastern Europe, continues to reinforce its strong market presence, following prior strategic investments in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. This acquisition not only cements Ygia Group’s leadership in private healthcare but also underscores its role as a major force in elevating the region’s health standards.

Europe’s Most Popular Castles And Palaces For 2026: Prague Castle Leads As Heritage Travel Surges

As autumn settles across Europe, culture is moving to the top of the travel agenda. According to the European Travel Commission, cooler months such as October and November are increasingly prompting travellers to build trips around history, heritage and landmark experiences.

TUI Musement’s latest data reinforces that shift. The travel company found that 94% of respondents say they are interested, or very interested, in experiences tied to history, culture and heritage on their next city break. Meanwhile, eight in 10 said they have already visited a monument or landmark near where they live.

Against that backdrop, TUI Musement has released a new ranking of Europe’s 30 most popular castles and palaces for 2026, based on accumulated Google reviews. The analysis compares review volumes from 2023 and 2026, offering a useful snapshot of which historic sites are gaining the most traction with visitors.

Spain Stands Out In A Wide-ranging European List

The ranking reveals a broad geographic spread, but Spain emerges as the most represented country, with six sites in the top 30. Both the Alhambra in Granada and the Royal Palace of Madrid secured places in the top 10, underscoring the country’s enduring appeal as a destination for heritage tourism.

At the top of the list, Prague Castle retains first place, while Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna climbs into the top three. The only new entrant is Buda Castle in Budapest, which posted a 65% increase in accumulated Google reviews compared with 2023.

The Top 10 Castles And Palaces In Europe

Prague Castle remains the benchmark for European heritage tourism. With 199,000 reviews, a 31% increase from 2023, it is one of the largest palace complexes in the world and a concentrated showcase of centuries of history. Visitors can explore St Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace and Golden Lane with a single ticket.

In second place is Buckingham Palace, one of London’s most recognisable landmarks and one of the official residences of the British monarchy. Its daily Changing of the Guard continues to draw crowds, while summer opening periods allow visitors inside the state rooms.

Schönbrunn Palace moves up to third, marking the 30th anniversary of its designation as a World Heritage Site. In Vienna, the palace offers a window into Austria’s imperial past and the dynastic legacy that shaped the country’s history.

Versailles follows in fourth place. The former residence of the kings of France remains one of Europe’s most significant historical sites, with the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments and formal gardens helping tell the story of absolutism, monarchy and the later Treaty of Versailles.

Wawel Castle in Kraków holds fifth place despite slipping two positions. Once the residence and coronation site of Poland’s kings, it remains one of the country’s most important cultural attractions, with the Dragon’s Den statue at its base adding another layer of local symbolism.

Spain claims sixth and seventh place. The Alhambra in Granada ranks sixth with its palaces, gardens and fortresses, including the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Alcazaba and Palace of Charles V. The Royal Palace of Madrid climbs to seventh after a 47% rise in accumulated Google reviews since 2023. Still used for official receptions, it also opens select highlights such as the throne room, Gasparini Room and royal chapel to the public.

London appears again in eighth place with the Tower of London, a fortress that has played a defining role in English history. Today, it is best known as the home of the Crown Jewels and for its Yeoman Warders and resident ravens, which have become part of its enduring identity.

Neuschwanstein Castle rises to ninth place after a strong increase in reviews. Set in the Bavarian Alps, the fairy-tale palace reflects the imagination of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and his fascination with art, architecture and medieval legend.

Rounding out the top 10 is Bran Castle in Romania, long associated with the Dracula myth but historically important in its own right. Beyond its fictional reputation, the fortress tells the story of Transylvania through its role as a frontier stronghold and later a royal residence.

The Top 10 Most Popular Castles In Europe

1. Prague Castle, Czechia
2. Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom
3. Schönbrunn Palace, Austria
4. Palace of Versailles, France
5. Wawel Castle, Poland
6. The Alhambra, Spain
7. The Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain
8. The Tower of London, United Kingdom
9. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
10. Bran Castle, Romania

For travellers looking beyond the usual city break circuit, the message is clear: Europe’s castles and palaces are not just surviving history. They remain some of the continent’s most powerful magnets for modern tourism.

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