Syntagma Square - Parliament, Athens

At the renovated Syntagma square you'll also find the zero point, i.e. the point from which all distances in Greece are counted. Contrary to other cities, it is not a painting or something like that, but a column. You are in the very center of Athens! In the square have a drink at the brand new café and watch passers-by...

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I had read much about Syntagma Square in my guide book and had expected much more than what I actually saw. Its a busy street with many cars, red lights, and people. The Parliment Building stands in Syntagma Square. After all of the beautiful historic buildings I saw in Athens, the Parliment building was a bit of a disappointment for me. I did enjoy watching the guards though. I found their uniforms interesting. I did feel a little sorry them the day I visited. It was extremely warm that afternoon and they had to stand guard motionless in the heat with no shade anywhere nearby. There is a picture of the guards inculded in this group of pictures for this tip.

The Syntagma is the very heart of Athens. The Parliament building is located here with the Monumet to the Unkown soldier in front. There are two guards 24 hours a day,and the change of the guard is pretty interesting. The guards are called evzones and their are in the traditional Greek national costumes.

This noclassical building was built between 1834-1838 as the palace of the first kings. The monument of the unknown Soldier, with the two guards, called "Evzoni", who are the presidential guards. The change of the guard is every hour and it is very famous

Located in Syntagma Square, the Parliament building still serves as the seat of the Hellenic Parliament and contains various offices of the government. In front of this building, many political rallies and events have occured since the building was erected in 1840. It has undergone many changes since then, the result of which is a beautiful building in the heart of Athens.

Syntagma Square means "constitution square". It got this moniker from its long and storied history.

Long ago Greece was controlled by Turkey, but they were overthrown and Otto of Bavaria was installed as the leader. However, his government was as corrupt as the one before it, so the people rose up again. Two soldiers, Dimitrios Kallerges and Ioannes Makriyannis, together with the support of the British, drove to their troops into Syntagma Square, in front of the Parliament and demanded the king ousted and the production of a constitution within thirty days. Hence the name constitution, or Syntagma Square.

Syntagma (Constitution) Square is arguably Athens' most central focus and with its magnificent Metro station is the hub of the city's public transport system with connections to lines 2 and 3 of the Metro and to the bus and tram system. The square itself is an Island in the midst of the Athens traffic and is a popular meeting place for Athenians and visitors alike.

This, like the nearby Monastiraki, is a great place to sit in one of the terraced cafes with a cold beer and just watch the world go by - though beware that a beer will be about 5 euros and a coffee at least 3!

The square is also a free Wi-Fi zone provided by the city municipality.

The centre of Athens is actually quite small, thinking of a tourist's point of view. The most significant sights are inside a triangle of three squares; Monastiraki, Omonia and Syndagma Square pictured here.

Syndagma Square is the center of Athens and also the location of the Greek Parliament building. On the square area there are located several embassies, ministries, large companies offices, banks and luxury hotels. Syndagma Square is also the center of tourism in Athens as many major travel offices are located on the surrounding area.

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Though the change of Gaurd happenes every day, the one on Sunday is special.
The speciality comes from the dress with pleats and the colourful gears.
Take a morning tour of Parthenon (Acropolis) and then come back to witness this change of Gaurd.

Try and be there for the change which happens at 11 O'Clock.
It is a 5 min affair ... so be in time to get your snaps.
:) Cheers !!

Syntagma is undoubtedly one of the top must see activities. Named after the constitution that the people of Athens demanded demonstrating in front of the palace on September 3rd 1843, Syntagma is the very heart of the city.The dominant building of the square is of course the Greek Parliament. This imposing structure is the most prominent neoclassical building of Athens and it was built in the period 1836-1842 to house the royal palace and residence of Greece's first king,Otto. Yet,since 1924 it houses the Greek parliament. Don't miss to visit the parliament's precious exhibits that include the first Greek constitution and many valuable paintings but also a large library.