Syntagma Square

Introduction

Syntagma Square is Athens's urban center and political heart—a grand square in front of the Greek Parliament, famous for the solemn Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the guard-changing ceremony in traditional dress, Athens's most important public square. Syntagma Square (Greek for 'constitution') is the most important, central square of downtown Athens—named after the event of promulgating the constitution in modern Greek history, it is the city's center and political heart. On one side stands the solemn, majestic Hellenic Parliament building (originally a royal palace, now the seat of the Greek Parliament), imposing and dignified. The square's most famous, tourist-drawing feature is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament—before this monument, the Greek Presidential Guard (Evzones, in distinctive traditional dress: white pleated skirts and shoes with pom-poms) stand guard day and night, a unique outfit. These guards stand watch and hold a solemn, distinctive changing-of-the-guard ceremony at set times—marching with slow, exaggerated, uniform steps, solemn and unique, a famous Athens spectacle (especially grand ceremonies on Sundays). The square itself is where Athens citizens and visitors gather and rest, surrounded by busy streets, hotels and shops, also a key transport hub. Strolling this city-center square, watching the unique guard-changing ceremony, feeling Athens's urban air. Visiting Athens, pausing at Syntagma Square and watching the guard-changing ceremony is a unique sight in Athens.

✨ Highlights

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