Syntagma Square, Central square in Athens, Greece
Syntagma Square is the main public square of Athens, set directly in front of the Greek Parliament building at the foot of Lycabettus Hill. It is an open paved area with trees, fountains, and benches, bordered by major avenues that connect the city center to other districts.
The square takes its name from the Greek word for constitution, given in 1843 when King Otto proclaimed Greece's first constitution from the balcony of the royal palace that stood on the site. That palace was later converted into the building that now serves as the Greek Parliament.
The changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier happens every hour and draws visitors who stop to watch the slow, deliberate movements of the Evzones. Their traditional uniforms, with white kilts and heavy wooden shoes, are directly tied to Greek folk dress from the mountains.
The square has its own metro station directly below, making it one of the most straightforward spots in the city to reach on foot or by public transit. Visiting early in the morning gives a calmer experience, as foot traffic builds steadily through the day.
When the metro station beneath the square was built in the 1990s, workers uncovered a section of an ancient road, along with houses and a bath complex used during Roman times. Some of these objects are now displayed in a small exhibition inside the station itself.
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