Most of Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel takes place in the fictional country of Zubrowka.
Zubrowka is an invented Central European country created for the film. The story moves across several time periods, with the Grand Budapest hotel located in the alpine Republic of Zubrowka during the fictional history surrounding its concierge, M. Gustave.
The country’s name resembles words and place names associated with Central and Eastern Europe, helping the film create a recognizable but imaginary setting. Anderson combines those cultural references with elaborate miniatures, painted backdrops, and period-inspired costumes.
Zubrowka is sometimes mistaken for a real country or confused with the film’s specific hotel and towns. It is neither: the Grand Budapest is the hotel, while Zubrowka is the fictional nation in which the main events occur. The film’s historical backdrop also reflects the instability of Europe between the world wars.