Syntagma Square

Syntagma Square
Gate to Greece > Guide of Athens > Places to Visit > Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos)

The Syntagma Square was the centre of the city planning executed by the newly established Modern Greek government dominated by the Germans. Syntagma means the "Constitution" in modern Greek, and the square was so named, as the Constitution of the Kingdom of Greece was promulgated here in 1844.

In the photo above is the Syntagma Square and the Ermou Street looked over from in front of the Parliament Building.

And below is the Parliament Building. It was built as the royal palace of the Greek kingdom.

Congress House

The Memorial to the Unknown-Solider. The shift change ceremony of the guards with ethnic costume is one of the major attractions for tourists.

Monument for the Unknown Soldier
Ceremonial Guard
The photo above was taken in 2002 and the one left in 2008. On closer look, you see the uniforms of soldiers are different. Were the uniform changed? It should not be the seasonal difference as both photos were taken in the summer. The left photo looks yellowish because it was shot in the late afternoon, at 6 o'clock. It was Sunday, and there was the guard change ceremony right after.

These soldiers in traditional uniform are called 'evzones' (well-belted) and usually chosen from the young Greek men in military service. Only very tall, good looking men can have this duty.

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