Old Royal Palace, Parliament building in Athens, Greece
Description
The Old Royal Palace is a neoclassical building in Athens organized around two interior courtyards with four connecting wings. Its facades display polished Carrara marble accents alongside lighter stone walls, while wooden doors and window frames line the openings throughout the structure.
History
Friedrich von Gärtner designed the palace between 1836 and 1843 as a residence for King Otto, the first monarch of independent Greece. After a fire in 1909, the building was reconstructed and has served as the seat of the Hellenic Parliament since 1929.
Culture
The western entrance attracts visitors who come to watch the changing ceremony of the Evzones guards wearing traditional uniforms with white kilts and red caps. These costumes recall the Greek independence fighters and connect the building to national identity through daily ritual.
Practical
The parliament building sits directly on Syntagma Square in central Athens and is within walking distance from most city neighborhoods. Some rooms and exhibitions are open to visitors, while the ceremony in front of the entrance can be watched from the square at any time.
Did you know?
During construction in the late 1830s, residents from several Greek islands volunteered their labor without requesting payment. Their participation reflected the widespread enthusiasm for building the new independent state and its royal residence.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Athens Municipality).
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Athens
51 m
National Garden of Athens
174 m
Hotel Grande Bretagne
174 m
Numismatic Museum
315 m
Iliou Melathron
312 m
Syntagma Square
212 m
Embassy of France, Athens
129 m
Syntagma Metro Station Archaeological Collection
164 m
Andreas Syggrou Mansion
106 m
Numismatic Museum of Athens
315 m
Theocharakis Foundation
156 m
Rentis mansion
144 m
Benaki Museum - The Ghika Gallery
217 m
Theatro Athinon
246 m
Pallas Theatre
262 m
Sophocles (bust)
296 m
Bust of Aristotle Valaoritis
201 m
Bust of Ioannis Kapodistrias, Athens
213 m
Square of the Unknown Soldier
96 m
Statue of Charilaos Trikoupis, Parliament
75 m
Giannaros mansion
239 m
Syntagma Square
171 m
Syntagma Square
200 m
Syntagma Metro Station, Amalias Avenue at Parliament
123 m
Hellenic Parliament
6 m
Building of Egyptian embassy in Greece
128 m
Pallis mansion
306 m
Megaro Koupa
225 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes