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 Changing of the Guards by athenian80Leave a Comment
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 by Lilasel
The guards, dressed in traditional revolutionary garb, stand guard around the clock, and they never move or acknowledge the many tourists who try to gain their attention. On Sunday mornings the guard changes in grand ceremony, accompanied by a military band. Leave a Comment
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In the state capital, Athens, members of the elite Evzones light infantry unit, provide a 24-hour honor guard, with an hourly guard change, at the Presidential Mansion and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, off Syntagma Square at the foot of the Hellenic Parliament. The changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in particular has become a tourist attraction, with many people marvelling at the guards, who stand motionless for their entire shifts. Every Sunday at 11:00 a ceremonial change of guards takes place. A parade of Evzones and a military band starts from the camp of the Evzones (just behind the Parliament Building) and through Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, reaches the Tomb of the Unknown soldier where a ceremonial change of guards takes place. On this occasion all the three official uniforms of the Evzones can be seen. For the needs of the ceremonial change of guard, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Amalias Avenue are briefly closed to traffic from approximately 10:55 to 11:05 on Sunday mornings.
YOU MAY POSE WITH THE GAURDS FOR A PHOTO BUT NO TOUCHING!
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At the area between syntagma square and parliament lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was built in 1932 and there are always 2 guards (called Evzones of the Presidential Guard) on a 24 hour basis. They change through a small guard ceremony every hour but its better to watch it on Sunday at 11 o’clock in the morning when an army band is there and more than 120 guards parade. These guards are an elite ceremonial unit that also guard the Presidential Mansion (not far from the parliament on Herodes Atticus Street) and they are chosen for their height and strength. They also do the official raising of the flag every Sunday at the Acropolis.
What’s more the guards use to be the photo models for the tourists that want to capture their traditional uniform, which has evolved from the outfits worn by the warriors who fought the ottoman turks. Their kilt-like garment ‘fustanela’ is really funny… Directions: At the area between syntagma square and parliament
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 Evzone: "Do you like the
pom poms on my shoes?" by Confucius,
4 more photos
Everybody likes to snicker at the guard's uniforms and gawk at their silly walk. The Evzones have pom poms on the top of their shoes and wear a short skirt with long stockings. You are allowed to have photographs standing in their vicinity but be careful with your behavior. If an Evzone thinks you are getting too close, too loud, or too silly, ... then he will slam his rifle butt down hard in order to get your immediate attention. You can see this happens often, as evidenced by the circle of white marble dust next to his foot. (See photo #3)
The highlight of the hourly changing ceremony is when the two guards slowly approach each other then stop and touch the soles of their shoes together in the midst of a high step.
You'll want your camera ready for that moment, but they actually hold that position long enough for you to take more than three photos.
A friendly supervising officer is always present to answer tourist's questions. He wears an ordinary uniform and can be observed inspecting the posture of the guards. Appropriate questions include inquiring about the schedule for the Sunday ceremony, the permitted proximity for photos with the Evzones, and the location of the nearest Chinese restaurant.
(Go down Stadiou Street and you'll see it, Far East, on the left!) Leave a Comment Address: Greek Parliament BuildingDirections: East side of Syntagma Square
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I have been reading that the changing of the guard was something to see in Athens. But it was not in my mind when I was walking in the national garden. But outside the garden fence there was some of the Evzones marching down the street. Then as a old royal guards man in denmark I had to see the drill they do. And I must sad they are very good the drill send a signal of strong will. If anybudy should be in doubt, what the do if it looks funny or not its very hard work and from what I hear the Evzones are doing their normal military service. Respect for this or just respect that they have a Garand semiautomatic rifle 8 shot in the clip the first of its kind. Address: Irodou Attikou road
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 The Changing of the Guard at
Syndagma Square by Paul2001
This photograph was taken by me by holding my camera high over my head and shooting. It is a miracle that the shot turned out this well. Leave a Comment
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Due to a rehearsal for the Queen's birthday, we didn't see any changing of the guard in London, but we made up for it in Athens, and I'm sure this made up for it, as it was quite a ceremony. We did not see the big ceremonial changing on Sunday, but this was still fascinating to watch.
We arrived in front of the Parliament building not even knowing when or what was going to happen, just in time to see two guards at perfect attention at their booths and LOTS of pidgeons all over the front steps. People were posing with the guards for pictures, but beware not to get too close, as there were those who decided to get a bit fresh and a loose military man was quick to jump up there and straighten them up, and not gently! My daughter thought the pompoms were a little odd, but she found the guards very intimidating and had a hard time getting herself up there to be photographed. She did it just in time, though, as just after, the guards began their changing procession. Really something to see. Leave a Comment
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 Beautiful, isn't it? by SirRichard
It is performed by Greek soldiers called 'Evzons' or 'Tsoliades' in their traditional uniform and shoes with toes tipped by a red or black ball.
The main ceremony is at Sundays, 11:00, though there is a smaller one everyday too. The uniform is a traditional representation of Greece's historic mountain guerillas 'The Klephts' (thieves) which resisted the Turkish occupation. The skirts have 400, one for every year of the Turkish occupation. Leave a Comment
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 Picture with a guard by gale.blog.pl
Beware! Never step too close to the Tomb - one of the soldiers will loudly smash his gun against the floor and their commander will shout at you. Leave a Comment Address: Athens, Syndagma Square
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