Σύνταγμα

Athens’ central square took its name after an uprising that occurred on September 3 1843, when the people and the Royal Guards of Athens gathered outside the Palace (present-day Parliament), and demanded that King Otto grant a Constitution [Syntagma] to the Greek people. 

Syntagma Square along with Omonia Square are two major city locations. This is why Syntagma Square is so often a point of reference, when you ask directions while moving about the city. Plaka, the Acropolis, the Athens Cathedral [Mitropolis], the National Garden, Ermou St, and Kolonaki district are all to be found in the vicinity of Syntagma Square. You will find trendy cafes and small restaurants located here. The square is busy around the clock.

he building dominates Syntagma Square; this was the palace of Otto, the first king of Greece and it was constructed from 1836 to 1842. George A’, who succeeded Otto, also resided in the palace. However, during his reign, two successive fires destroyed the building, making it unsuitable for use as a royal residence. In 1924 the government decided to house the Greek Parliament in that building. The interior was redesigned by the famous architect A. Kriezis and the renovation work was completed in 1934. The building houses precious items such as the first Greek Constitution, and a large number of valuable paintings. Make sure you visit the spacious library.

It was built from 1929-1932, and placed in front of the Parliament. The monument is a  relief sculpture depicting a dying soldier (created by sculptor K. Dimitriades), which bears an inscription with quotes from Pericle’s Epitaph. Commemorated on the marble wall surrounding the monument are the greatest battles fought by the Greek army since 1821. It is customary for Greek state officials and foreign dignitaries to lay a wreath at the foot of the monument on national holidays. The monument is guarded around the clock by two Evzones, i.e. members of a select army corps (the Presidential Guard), in their impressive traditional uniform. The ceremony of the changing of the Guard takes place every hour, and it is absolutely worth watching it - especially on Sunday morning (11 a.m.)- when it is accompanied by a military band and a large unit of Evzones.

Grande Bretagne Hotel is a luxury hotel built in 1842 as a private residence, and designed by Th. Hansen, a famous architect of that time. In 1874 it was changed into a hotel. In 1958 the hotel was reconstructed to meet the increasing tourist demands, and several floors were added to the structure. Its renovation was completed in 2003. The hotel has been connected to major events of Greek history and it has accommodated many notables and celebrities who visited Athens, over time. You will find a café, a bar, and a luxury restaurant with an interesting ambiance inside the hotel.

A section of the ancient cemetery and the aqueduct of Peisitstratos, unearthed in the northeastern section of the square, is displayed in the outdoor, sheltered space.

Filellinon St. is the road that starts from Syntagma Sq. - a so-called extension of Stadiou St. You will find here beautiful neoclassical buildings and, at the corners of Philellinon St, Xenofontos St, and Souri St, the Sotira Lykodimou church and the 1843 Anglican church of Saint Paul, by architect Ch. Hansen, built in the Gothic style and cruciform shape.

Amalias Avenue is the road connecting Hadrian’s Arch with Syntagma Square. The avenue is adjacent to the National Garden and it is lined on the other side with stately neoclassical and modernist style buildings. Walk towards Syntagma Square, and you will see the Parliament on your right and Lycabettus Hill in the distance.

The National Garden is open from morning to sunset, and it is an oasis in the centre of the city covering an area of 160,000 m2. Some five hundred plant species, bushes, and trees from all over the world grow here (in all, there are 7,000 trees and 40,000 bushes). As a result of this, it has grown into an important habitat for many different species of birds, hedge-hogs,turtles, ducks and even bats. The National Garden was originally built as the royal garden and it was planted in the years from 1838 to 1860. There are entrances at Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Irodou Attikou St, Vasilissis Amalias Avenue, and two entrances at Zappeion Building. In the National Garden you will find a small pond, a small zoo, the Botanical Museum, a  traditional café, a children’s library, a playground, ancient monuments, and the busts of great personalities of contemporary Greece.

Zappeion Building is an imposing edifice designed by Th. Hansen, and constructed from 1874 to 1888. In the recent past, some of the most significant events in the history of the country have taken place in the “Building for Conferences and Exhibitions”, such as European summits, the announcement of the national election results, and other significant political announcements. At times, this is also the venue for art exhibitions and concerts. In front of the building you will see the statues of the Zappa cousins, who funded the construction of Zappeion, right next to the garden where Athenians go for a walk, especially on Sundays and during the Carnival Period. Right next to it, there is a cosy café and an open-air cinema.

A classy district with expensive residential buildings, villas and many green areas. It is encompassed by Vasilissis Sofias Ave, Rigillis St, Vasileos Konstantinou Ave and Irodou Attikou St. Its prestige is partly owed to its close proximity to the old palace (now the Presidential Mansion).

The former Royal palace is a  three-storey building, designed by architect Ernst Ziller, built in the neoclassical and elite architectural style (1890-1897). It was formerly used as the residence of the crown princes and later as the palace, and from 1974 onwards it has been used as the residence of the President of the Hellenic Republic. The Evzones are members of the Presidential Guard, posted at the entrance, in their special traditional uniform. The building is surrounded by a beautiful 6.25 acre garden, where some 140 species and varieties of trees and bushes grow. It is open to the public every Sunday (10am - 2pm). Entrance is through the gate from Vas. Georgiou II Ave. and visitors must show their ID or passport.

Maximou House (Irodou Attikou St) is the residence of the Greek prime minister, designed by A. Helmis in 1924. The building was constructed after his demise, by his wife and D. Maximos, her second husband, and it is surrounded by a small garden.