Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Guards in skirtlike garments
Time required: 20 minutes
Public transport:
- Blue Metro Line: Syntagma station
- Red Metro Line: Syntagma station
Address: Amalias Avenue and Vas. Georgiou Street, Athens
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: wallyg
Things you need to know:
- The Hellenic Parliament is located at Syntagma Square in central Athens. It is the most notable landmark in the city center
- The building was built in 1842 as Bavarian-born King Otto's royal palace. Otto was Greece's first king after Greece won its independence from 4-century Turkish rule
- Otto hired architects from Munich to design his palace. Hence the building's plain neoclassical design
- The palace gives home to the Hellenic parliament since 1935. Greece has a unicameral legislature of 300 members
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier fronts the palace. Two soldiers guard the tomb in traditional Greek outfit (foustanellas) and perform ceremonial exercises on the hour
What to do there:
- Have a look at the neo-classical palace
- Do not miss the elaborate ceremonial of the two guards
Tips & Insights:
- You must make time on Sunday to see the Ceremonial Parade of Changing of the Guard
