Syntagma Square is important for Athens
Greeks refer to Syntagma Square all the time.
Syntagma Square is where you have a Saturday morning coffee before visiting the shops at Ermou Str. It is where many take the family to see the change of the Evzones guard. And then walk towards the National Garden and Zappeion. Or the meeting point for a night out. Or the place to go to protest about something. In an Athenian’s life, Syntagma Square is always somewhere close by.
An uprising on the 3rd of September 1843 of the people along with the army, is what gave the name to this important Athenian square.
The revolution took place in front of what was then the Royal Palace building. Now, this is the country’s Parliament.
People demanded that King Otto grant the country a constitution.
Which he did.
Syntagma is the greek word for Constitution.
Plaka, the Acropolis, the Cathedral, the National Garden, Ermou Str. and Kolonaki are all located in the vicinity of Syntagma Square. Museums, beautiful hotels, and shops. One can choose among fashionable cafes and small restaurants located all around.
This square is busy around the clock. One will see people, cars, shops, and of course the kiosks. Most kiosks remain open 24/7 and offer miscellaneous items, souvenirs, newspapers, and magazines.
The Greek Parliament
The main landmark in Syntagma Square was the residence of the first King of Greece Otto. The building was constructed in six years, from 1836 to 1842.
King George A’ was the successor of King Otto. He also lived in this Palace from 1863 to 1913. There were two successive fires during his reign. The building became unsuitable for use as a royal residence.
In 1924 the Greek government decided to situate the Parliament in this building. Major reconstruction took place up until 1934. The architect who redesigned the interior was A. Kriezis.
In Parliament today, one can find a big library, national treasures such as the first Greek Constitution, and numerous valuable paintings.
The Monument of the Unknown Soldier and the Evzones
Built from 1929 to 1932 in front of Parliament it is a sculpted depiction of a slain soldier. The sculptor responsible is K. Dimitriades bearing an inscription with excerpts of Pericle’s Epitaph. The phrase reads “For glorious men, any place on earth can be their tomb”. This is a famous phrase coming from Pericles’ speech about the Peloponnesian War, about 2.500 years ago!
The marble wall surrounding the monument commemorates the greatest battles of the Greek army posterior to 1821. Greek and visiting officials lay a wreath at the monument on national holidays.
Two select troops called Evzones, wearing their traditional uniform, guard the monument around the clock. Evzones go back into ancient Greece. We find the term in Homer’s works!
Greek men who serve their military duty comprise this elite force. (In Greece all men serve about a year in military training, it is compulsory).
In order for someone to become an Evzonas, a demanding selection takes place. Those who fill this role receive extensive training.
Being an Evzonas is considered a great honor.
The ceremony of the changing of the guard takes place every hour and it is worth seeing. Especially on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. where one can enjoy a military band and a large regiment of Evzones.
Hotel Grande Bretagne
The luxury Hotel Grande Bretagne was built in 1842. Initially, the building was designed as a private residence. It was the work of Th. Hansen, a Danish architect, famous representative of neoclassicism.
Subsequently, it was renovated in 1874 and it operates as a luxury hotel ever since. Increased demand led to major reconstruction and the addition of several floors in 1958. In 2003 there was a complete renovation of the building.
There is a direct connection between this venue to significant events in Greek history. A multitude of notables and celebrities visiting Athens stayed at it.
Certainly, the hotel is worth a visit, even if one does not stay at it. The cafe is welcoming and grand at the same time.
Also, the restaurants, both the GB Roof Garden Restaurant and the ATRIUM of Alexander’s Lounge, ensure a unique atmosphere and an experience to remember.
Fillelinon Street
Fillelinon street is a prolongation of Stadiou Str. One walks by attractive neoclassical buildings, shops, office buildings, and small kiosks selling tasty bagels.
At the crossroads of Fillelinon Str. Xenofontos Str. and Souri Str., there is the Sotiras Lykodimou church. After that, there is also the Anglican Church of Saint Paul, which was built by Ch. Hanson (1843), with elements of gothic style and a cruciform shape.
Fillelinon is a small street. But everybody in Athens knows it well. Maybe it is because it leads to Plaka.
Vassilisis Amalia’s Avenue
Vassilisis Amalia’s Avenue is a broad avenue connecting Hadrian’s Ark with Syntagma Square. It is named after Queen Amalia the first Queen of the country and wife to King Otto.
It is a classic joke among Athenians how tiny is the road we have named after her husband King Otto, which we call plainly “Otto’s Street”.
Vassilisis Amalia’s Avenue is an elegant street with stately neoclassical and modernistic buildings. It is right in the middle of Syntagma Square, located in the vicinity of the National Garden.
It passes right in front of the Parliament. In the distance, one can see Lycabettus Hill.
The National Garden is a small oasis
The National Garden – which was formerly the palace garden – was laid out from 1838 to 1860. It is open from dawn to sunset and is an οasis in the center of the city.
There are five entrances. At Vassilisis Sofias Avenue, Irodou Attikou Street, at Vassilisis Amalias Avenue, and two entrances connecting the National Garden to the Zappeion.
It consists of 160.000 square meters with more than 500 different kinds of plants, bushes, and trees, from various locations around the world. In total, it has 7,000 trees and 40,000 bushes!
At the same time, it comprises an important natural life reserve in Athens as many different species of birds, turtles, ducks, and even bats live there.
The visitor will see various monuments of antiquity that were discovered on the premises. There are also the busts of important personalities of modern Greece such as politicians and authors.
The garden also has a small pond, a small zoo, the Botanical Museum, a traditional cafe, a children’s library, and a playground.
Queen Amalia paid a lot of attention to the development of the garden surrounding the palace and it looks today quite a lot as she had initially designed it.
Zappeion Mansion
Zappeion mansion is an attractive building designed by Th. Hansen. It was constructed from 1874 to 1888.
In the past few years, some of the most significant events in Greece’s history have taken place in the “Conferences and Exhibitions Mansion” of this building. For example, there are the European summits, the announcement of election results, significant political announcements, and more.
Moreover, art exhibitions and concerts are held at this beautiful venue in the center of the city. Athenians often enjoy their walk in the area or visiting book exhibitions.
Near the Zappeion mansion is Egli a luxury restaurant-cafe. Egli means prestige in Greek and the venue deserves the name! Right next to it there is a beautiful open-air cinema.
The Rigillis area
Rigillis is a prestigious area with luxury residential buildings, villas, and abundant vegetation. Despite the fact that major avenues surround the area there is an unexpected serenity, almost a stillness in this neighborhood.
Vassilisis Sophias Avenue, Rigillis Str., Vassileos Konstantadinou Avenue, and Irodou Attikou Street are the neighborhood limits.
The area is located in the vicinity of the Old Royal Palace which is now the Presidential Mansion.
The Irodou Attikou Street
Herodou Attikou Street or Irodou Attikou Street is located east of Syntagma Square. It is adjacent to the National Garden. The name of the street comes from the ancient Athenian rhetorician Herodes Atticus. He was a major benefactor of the Roman era.
This extremely expensive one-way street connects Kolonaki and Pangrati neighborhoods. Both these two neighborhoods are historical and very well-known ones.
In Irodou Attikou Street one can see luxurious apartments and mansions. Among them, there are the Presidential Palace and the Maximos Mansion, the official workplaces of the President and of the Prime Minister of Greece respectively.