The original plans for the construction of the Parliament Building in Athens were to have it built atop the Acropolis. However, quite thankfully, this did not come to happen, and the Parliament Building was instead erected at the head of Syntagma Square. Built in the neo-classical style, a style that originated in Greece and typifies many of the hallmark Athens buildings, construction of the Parliament Building began in 1836 and was finished in the early 1840's. It was built under the rule of King Otto of Bavaria with finances produced by his father, Ludwig I.
With the Greek Revolution of 1821, the Greek mainland managed to liberate itself from the Ottoman Empire. After hundreds of years living under Turkish rule, it was decided by the ruling faction that Otto of Bavaria would become the new King of Greece. When this was decided, Otto was not of age to rule yet, and so he came with forces and three designated ruling dictators that soon took advantage of their new empire monetarily. Eventually, when Otto reached his ruling age, the Greeks had grown tired of his dignitaries and demanded they be removed and that a new constitution be written. The name Syntagma means “Constitution”, and it is from this historical perspective that Syntagma Square was named.
Syntagma Square Athens is the heart of the city and
it is for all intents and purposes the most important
square in all of Greece. Syntagma Square is a prime beginning
point from which to access many of the main attractions
in Athens, and many of the city’s most notable streets
begin at the square. Vassilissis Sophias Avenue, also
known as Museum Mile, is one of the prolific city arteries
which runs out of Syntagma Square. Among the museums found
along this strip are the Benaki
Museum, the Byzantine Museum and the Museum of Cycladic
Art. Many of the most expensive Athens
hotels are found at Syntagma Square, including the
Grande Bretagne Hotel, as well as Ermou Street, the city’s
most expensive shopping strip. Ermou Street connects Syntagma
Square Athens to Monastiraki, where tourists and Athenians
alike shop for bargains at the Monastiraki Plaka
flea market. Other notable neighborhoods near Syntagma
Square are the chic Kolonaki,
and the neighborhood of Psirri. Within walking distance
of Syntagma Square Athens are the Acropolis, the Tower
of Winds, Lykavittos Hill
and a series of other attractions, including many
historic churches.
One of the great things to do in Athens is visit Syntagma Square for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece, which is located at the Parliament Building. Every hour, guards called Evzones perform the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece changing of the guard. The Evzones wear curious uniforms with pom-poms on the toes of their shoes and skirts with stockings. The uniforms differ in the summer from the winter garb, and on Sundays and special celebrations the uniform is the most formal. The 11 o’clock a.m. Sunday changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece is a more ornate ceremony, where scores of people gather to watch.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece is also the monument of choice during major holidays, where top officials of Greece lay wreaths in honor of the nameless fallen Greek soldiers from battles gone by. Found at the site are an inscription bearing the famous Funeral Speech by Pericles, and other inscriptions that commemorate past Greek army victories like the 1821 Greek Revolution.
