Syntagma Square Every city has its own heart in a square, from which arteries in the form of roads reach out to the other important parts. In Athens it is the Syntagma Square.
Syntagma is the Greek word for constitution. It is where Greece’s first constitution wa
s proclaimed by a reluctant King Otto from a palace balcony in 1843. This palace on the eastern side of the square, is now, the Greek Parliament and is guarded by kilted and pom-pommed soldiers - the evzones (ev-zone-ees). Every hour, the changing of the guard ceremony, performed by the Presidential Guard, is conducted in front of the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ on the area between the Square and Parliament. On Sundays and official holidays, the ceremonial changing of the guard takes place with an army band and the majority of the 120 Evzones present at 11am. The Parliament building is surrounded by the extensive National Gardens, which are open to the public.
The Square has a long history. It seems every major event in Greece has either been mourned or celebrated here. It has held some of the biggest political rallies that have ever been seen on the planet. The square is still the principal venue for mass demonstration, whether trade unions protests or gatherings of thousands of political party supporters.
s proclaimed by a reluctant King Otto from a palace balcony in 1843. This palace on the eastern side of the square, is now, the Greek Parliament and is guarded by kilted and pom-pommed soldiers - the evzones (ev-zone-ees). Every hour, the changing of the guard ceremony, performed by the Presidential Guard, is conducted in front of the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ on the area between the Square and Parliament. On Sundays and official holidays, the ceremonial changing of the guard takes place with an army band and the majority of the 120 Evzones present at 11am. The Parliament building is surrounded by the extensive National Gardens, which are open to the public.The Square has a long history. It seems every major event in Greece has either been mourned or celebrated here. It has held some of the biggest political rallies that have ever been seen on the planet. The square is still the principal venue for mass demonstration, whether trade unions protests or gatherings of thousands of political party supporters.
The square is also a meeting point for the Athenians and the starting point to a walk to Plaka and Monastiraki Area. It is the heart of the city and many of the main attractions in Athens can be accessed from here:
- Museum Mile (comprising the Benaki Museum, the Byzantine Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art)
- Ermou Street (the city’s most expensive shopping strip)
- Kolonaki & Lykavitos
- Psyri & Monastiraki
- The Acropolis site and other nearby attractions are within walking distance
For more information click:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syntagma_Square; http://www.athensinfoguide.com/wtssyntagma.htm; http://www.athensguide.com/syntagma.html
National Garden 
Located behind the Tomb of the Unknown soldier on Amalias street, at the top of Syntagma Square it is a paradise in the middle of the concrete jungle complete with shaded pathways, flowers, trees, duck & turtle ponds and a few reminders of the ancient past. There is also a playground for kids with swings and see-saws.
For more information click http://www.athensguide.com/gardens.html; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Garden_of_Athens
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment