Location: Syntagma
Top Things to do in Syntagma
5 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Syntagma That You Shouldn't Miss
Once known for smog, traffic and tacky architecture, Athens is a city reformed thanks to fortunes brought by the 2004 Summer Olympics. Spotless parks and streets, an ultra-modern subway, new freeways, an accessible airport and all signs in perfect English make the city easily negotiable. Meriting more than a stopover en route to the islands, sophisticated Athens sites include many pillars of Western history, from the Acropolis to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, as well as treasures in the National Archaeological Museum.
Restaurants in Athens
1. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,254 reviews
Reviewed By 116enjoyit - Rome, United States
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Greek: Μνημείο του Αγνώστου Στρατιώτη, romanized: Mnimío tou Agnóstou Stratióti) is a war memorial located in Syntagma Square in Athens, in front of the Old Royal Palace. It is a cenotaph dedicated to the Greek soldiers killed during war. It was sculpted between 1930 and 1932 by sculptor Fokion Rok. The decision to build a monument was taken by army general and “constitutional dictator” Theodoros Pangalos. In his capacity as Army Minister, an advertisement was placed in the Espera newspaper, requesting a "submission for a study of the construction of a tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in front of the Old Royal Palace, suitable for this purpose". On 9 October 1926, the Army Ministry approved and granted by majority the study made by architect Emmanuel Lazaridis. The location of the monument at the Old Palace was suggested both by the architect himself and by Pangalos, who wish for the Army Ministry to be housed in the building. However in 1929, after fervent reaction and continuous meetings, Eleftherios Venizelos, setting aside his disagreements with Pangalos, decided that the best location would be the original one in Syntagma Square, reasoning that the Monument ought to be in the city centre, much like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The construction committee had given all responsibility for the construction to Lazaridis. Initially, he had worked with sculptor Thomas Thomopoulos who had proposed as a central sculpture a representation of the Gigantomachy with an angel (representing Greece) lovingly receiving the dead soldier. Despite Lazaridis initially agreeing to this design, Thomopoulos's sculpture was never built due to lack of funds. In 1930, Lazaridis instead assigned Fokion Rok as sculptor with a unanimous decision of the construction committee. The committee then approved a new proposal for the sculpture, a gunner lying on the ground. This design was deemed appropriate owing to its calmness and simplicity. For the construction, a large-scale excavation and levelling of terrain took place. The Tomb was unveiled on 25 March 1932 by then Prime Minister Andreas Michalakopoulos, with the participation of many foreign delegations, followed by a parade of the monument guard. At the same time, a torch was brought from the monastery of Agia Lavra to light the eternal flame in the centre of the cenotaph.
2. Changing of the Guard Ceremony
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By Lozfromoz98 - Sydney, Australia
Although the Changing of the Guard takes place every hour every day - the best time to go if you can is Sunday at 11am when they do a full ceremony with band and guard. Unfortunately there are loads of people and you may have to jostle for position or even get there 30 minutes or so before. It is a very solemn ceremony when the Evzone guard changes at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I would thoroughly recommend this if you like the history and majesty of Greece.
3. Plateia Syntagmatos
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,351 reviews
Reviewed By Ninazee - Atlanta, United States
So much of modern day Athens begins or ends here or it located here: the Parliament, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, National Gardens, many embassys are nearby, the Hotel Grande Bretagne, buses to the airport, Ermou Street (tons of shops and restaurants), etc. Do not miss the changing of the guards at the Parliament. It happens every hour, even in the middle of the night. If you want a small crowd, go really every or really late.
4. Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By REDMAN5314 - Egaleo, Greece
An impressive and big church that you will find in the center of Athens. The epicenter of Christian religious celebrations.
5. Syntagma Station
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 609 reviews
Reviewed By KPR1955 - Crewe, United Kingdom
How many hundreds of thousands of people pass through this station and never notice the history in front of their eyes. You will find a full strata of what was found during excavation for the metro, with ancient burials etc. In addition you will see other artefacts unearthed during the project. At the same time Syntagma station provides the most central of the metro transport links for Athens with connections to other lines running all the way to the airport at Spata, and also local tram connections. It is really a very busy hub. Plus when the heat is too much outside, cool down in the air conditioned interior!
