Its four exterior wings have three floors each while the middle wing has two floors and two courtyards, as well as staircases which facilitate contact between the floors. Syntagma Square is adorned with copies of five of the seven bronze statues donated by Lord Bute to the municipality of Athens in 1884. Between 2010 and 2012, the square was the site of mass protests by crowds of many thousands of people, due to the worsening economic situation during the Greek government debt crisis. Free high-speed wireless Internet access (4 Mbit/s) is offered by the Municipality of Athens at the square. In recent years, close to one million people protested regarding the Macedonia naming issue at the square. The Evzones, dressed in the resplendent traditional national uniform, are the presidential guards who also serve as the protectors of the monument. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. This website is property of Civitatis Tours SL. You might not know that it is also a sort of museum that is worth spending a little more time: you can see some archeological remains exhibited in several display cases along the way! It is also a great spot for kids: bring them to visit the botanical gardens and the zoo for some family fun! Since Syntagma Square is in the city centre, visitors cross the square to get to most of the citys attractions. An idyllic retreat, on the other hand, is offered by the nearby National Garden. In 1929, the Royal Palace became home to the Hellenic Parliament. It is located just in the middle of the most important attractions, museums, iconic monuments, and popular spots of Athens. Shopping & Gastronomy Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. You just need to reserve in advance. Have a look at this article! Plaka (579 m). You can walk through Plaka, which is the oldest neighborhood in Athens."} Airport to Syntagma: 30.5 km / 18.9 miles | Piraeus port to Syntagma: 17 km / 10.5 miles. Shaded by eucalyptus trees, its benches make for an ideal spot to bury oneself in a book, make new acquaintances, or even take a nap on the grass. From early on, Syntagma Square played an important role in the daily life of Athenians. "@type": "Question", The main thoroughfares of this area are Pandrossou Street and Adrianou Street. Taking just a few steps into the garden allows one to completely escape the craziness of the city. Literally meaning Little Monastery, this is a flea market area in the old town of Athens, full of tourist shops selling souvenirs and Greek delicacies. You probably dont know this, but you can visit on a free guided tour! Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou addressed the people of Athens from the balcony of the building after the liberation of Athens from the Germans in October 1944. The Monument was built in 1929 to 1930 by the architect Emmanuel Lazaridis. Iceland in Summer: Journey Through a Fabled Land, Peru: Machu Picchu and the Last Incan Bridges, Taste of Greece: Culinary Traditions & Ancient Ruins, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Freemasons, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Spring-Heeled Jack, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Gilles de Rais, Tiny Ecosystems: Making Terrariums With the Terrorium Shop, An Introduction to Sensory History With Carolyn Purnell, Session Cocktails: Low-Alcohol Mixology With Derek Brown, Thrills & Chills: Horror Story Writing With Nino Cipri, Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tale Writing With Anca Szilgyi, How Community Makes Appalachian Cuisine Shine in Asheville, How to Trace Food History With Ancient Leftovers. One of the most striking buildings in Syntagma Square is the Grande Bretagne Hotel, which is a glamorous neoclassical landmark built in 1842. "@type": "Question", "name": "How much is a taxi from Syntagma Square to Piraeus? 2023 Atlas Obscura. Bustling with life, the square faces the Greek Parliament, the impressive palace that used to be the residence of King Otto. One can linger nicely and observe the colorful hustle and bustle that always prevails here. Best subway I've used in Europe, large clean trains, security people and timetables every 5 min. stayed there during their visit to Athens. The numbering of the streets of Athens is based on Syntagma Square with each street number starting from there and even numbers on the right. The rooms are chic and luxurious and provide all kinds of amenities. If you are looking for a luxury hotel in the heart of the city, you cant go wrong with either of them! Each hour and a half-long guided tour offers visitors the opportunity to discover the Assembly Hall, as well as to learn about modern Greek history, the form of government in Greece, parliamentary procedures, and the history of the Hellenic Parliament building itself. It is close to the center of local nightlife, but it is also convectively located on a side street that guarantees peace and silence at night! Syntagma Square is lined with oleander, cypress, and citrus trees other than with many benches and statues. In the end, the area that we now know as Syntagma was selected. Also, most shops in central Athens remain open until 8-9 pm everyday, apart from Sundays. Voulis street and Nikis street are also good places to go for a meal or drink. Its rooftop bar is a fantastic place for beautiful views of Athens. It was divided into two parts; the upper square (the eastern part) was still called Palace Square until the end of the 19th century while today it is known as Parliament Square or the Monument of the Unknown Soldier.. Museum of Greek Folk Art (383 m) The commentary is both in Greek and in English and a ticket costs 5 euro for adults and 3 euro for kids. This gem is often wrongly overshadowed by the larger, newer Metropolis church in Athens. The heart of the centre of Athens is Syntagma Square, (also known as Constitution Square). In the place of Athens Plaza was the house of Ioannis Vouros, and on the ground floor the historical Zacharatos Cafe-Patisserie operated from 1895 to 1963. The bronze sculpture complex Theseus saving Hippodamia, the work of German sculptor Johannes Pfuhl, was originally placed in Syntagma Square but was later transferred to Victoria Square. ", It is accessible from all sides. Stroll & Unwind With its white marble steps, the two green areas as well as the fountain and statues, the Syntagma Square forms a graceful backdrop. At the corner of Ermou Street and Syntagma Square there once was the Andreas Koromilas Mansion, as well, a two-story building that would have had another story if Queen Amalia had not asked the owner to stop construction so that it would not obstruct her view of the sea. Syntagma Square is back and better then ever. Iconic landmarks The Happy Train runs every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in winter and until 11 p.m. in summer and youll find a ride every 30 minutes. Syntagma Square in Athens: Top Attractions & History, Guide to the Greek Parliament in Athens: Info, Things to Do & Tips, Changing of the Evzones Guard: What you need to know, 6 Markets in Athens [Food, Shopping, Flea Markets], Top 10 Things To Do in Athens: Must See Attractions & Tips, Changing of the Evzones Guard: What You Need to Know, You can find more about this and other great places to stay during a city trip on our page about the. So, what makes Syntagma Square so important? Thus, the square's first name was "Palace Square". This was preceded by a significant historical event. Copyright 2023. The green lung of Athens is located close to the Parliament and it covers 160.000 square meters. "acceptedAnswer": { This was a smart political move since the royal palace overlooked the square. WebChoose either the 90-minute Athens route that begins at Syntagma Square, the 60-minute Piraeus route that starts out at the cruise terminal, or the 120-minute Riviera and beaches route with a starting point at the Acropolis. The caf on the roof is a great meeting place which also offers a panoramic view of Athens iconic square. The street bordering the square to the west, connecting Stadiou Street with Fillelinon Street, is simply named "Syntagma Square" (Plateia Syntgmatos). The exact cost would depend on traffic and time of the day. There is an interchange bus stop at the Acropolis that connects all of the lines. From the airport to the city center: if you plan to get to Athens by plane, just catch the metro line number 3 to reach Syntagma Square in about 40 minutes. Syntagma Square (meaning Constitution Square in Greek) is Athens main square. You can also choose the hop-on/hop-off option, meaning that you can get off at one stop and then catch the following train with the same ticket. From there, you can also walk your way through the main districts of Athens, like Plaka and Monastiraki, and enjoy some local nightlife in the surrounding streets. Syntagma Square is also known as Constitution Square, as it is where the Athenians rose up against King Otto of Greece on 3 September 1843 to demand a constitution. Right on Syntagma Square, on Karageorgi Servias Street, you will see a large, central building, called Public bookstore. The palace was designed by Bavarian architect Friedrich von Grtner for King Otto of Greece with funds donated by Ottos father, King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Syntagma Square began to assume its modern shape after 1846 from the Bavarian Michael Hoch, who worked with the architect Leo von Klenze; its trees were planted according to the direction of Queen Amalia. Syntagma Square is back and better then ever. However at Syntagma theyve done even more. It was a meeting place, a favorite place for a Sunday walk, as well as a place to gather for musical presentations. Every hour, the changing of the guard ceremony, performed by the Presidential Guard, is conducted in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the area between the Syntagma Square and Parliament building. Syntagma Square in the center of the city is home to the Greek Parliament, making it the most important square in Athens. The mansions of the early Athens aristocracy tragically all vanished from the square along with the historical cafes and the Chrysakis Tea House, the first in Athens. Travel between Syntagma Square and the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is available via the special airport bus line X95 and metro line 3. Apart from street vendors, you will find several shops selling SIM cards. For a longer stay, it is best to choose a 5Days Ticket costing 9 euro (airport rides are not included). Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. It is the nerve centre of the city, and the roads around the square are lined with hotels, cafes, banks, airline companies, travel agencies and fast-food outlets. WebSyntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos, pronounced SYN-tag-mah) is the pulsating heart of the modern city of Athens, composed of the actual square together with the surrounding streets, open areas and assemblage of grand buildings that include banks, offices, top hotels and the old Royal Palace - now the Greek Parliament building.. Greeka? During the week, they wear the more modern version of this outfit. From May 2011 through November of the same year, thousands of Greeks occupied Syntagma Square, protesting against the austerity measures brought by the countrys bailout program. ", They uncovered tens of thousands of artifacts in the process (estimates range from an impressive 30,000 to a staggering 50,000) and the end result is both a greater knowledge of Athens buried history and metro stations which double as museums! This formerly-prosperous Silesian mining town was completely demolished in the late 1960s and early 1970s as an attempt to cover up a secret Soviet uranium mine. Syntagma Square is a hub for many forms of public transportation in Athens and is one of the busiest transport hubs in Greece. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Situated in the center of Athens, Syntagma Square is not only located in the heart of Greeces capital, it is also an important historical public area. The metro usually takes about 40 minutes, whereas a taxi ride can take anywhere from 30 - 60 minutes." On the side of Zappeio, there is a statue of the man who gave the money to build it. Top Spots for Sightseeing Around Syntagma Square in Athens, Yoga in Greece: The Perfect Idea for Your Summer Break, Corfus Canal dAmour, The Greek Channel of Love, Five Reasons to Visit the Greek Island of Serifos, Mitsotakis Hopes Erdogan Meeting is a Chance for Rapprochement, TikTok Launches New Parental Controls to Protect Children, Mitsotakis Sets Four Priorities After Re-election in Greece, Why Orcas Are Attacking Boats, Study Explains. Benaki Museum (487 m) Syntagma Square (Plateia Syntagmatos, pronounced SYN-tag-mah) is the pulsating heart of the modern city of Athens, composed of the actual square together with the surrounding streets, open areas and assemblage of grand buildings that include banks, offices, top hotels and the old Royal Palace - now the Greek Parliament building.. Jul 2021. Syntagma Square has always witnessed the most important historical moments of Greece, like the first speech of the new Greek leader after the military government overthrow in 1974 or, more recently, the protests of the Aganaktismenoi (Indignant Citizens) belonging to the anti-austerity movement (2011-2012). It was only natural that when the Attiko Metro company dug into the ground to lay the foundations for the Syntagma station, many antiquities would be discovered. On July 1, 1935, the National Assembly officially began its work in the new Plenary Hall. Everything, from restaurants to theatres, museums and ancient sites are only a walking distance away from Syntagma. They demanded that Otto give them a Constitution, or Syntagma in Greek. WebSyntagma Square ( Greek: , pronounced [platia sindamatos], "Constitution Square") is the central square of Athens. See. However, the name of Palace Square changed the same year the construction of the royal palace was completed. Although it is full of packed tavernas and coffee shops, the area has a unique calm, as if visitors are unconsciously in awe of stepping on the very ground where Western Civilization itself was born. Read this guide to Syntagma Square in Athens to find out what attractions the historic square has to offer. Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens and the second largest in Greece, after Spianada Square in Corfu, and is included in the list of the 100 largest squares in the world. Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport or your hotel. Women, however, had to wait until 1952! In 1929-2930, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was constructed right in front of the Parliament building. WebSyntagma Square (or "Constitution Square") is Athens' central square. During this period, which was termed Bavarocracy, the officials were unpopular, as they didnt take into account the peoples needs. In December of 1944, just after the departure of the occupying Nazi troops, a peoples rally at the square was marred by the killing of several Greek citizens from British fire.
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