Plateia Syntagma (Constitution Square) is the central municipal seat of government, where the Hellenic Parliamant, the Presidential Mansion and the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are situated.
These key government and historical installations are guarded by members of the Proedriki Froura (Presidential Guard), also known as Evzones (singular – Evzoni). Evzones are apparently selected based on physical attributes: only the tallest and handsomest in the mandatory Greek military service are selected. The elaborate ceremonial attire worn by the evzones draws its roots from the rebels who won the War of Independence for Greece (1821-1832). The short white poofy skirt apparently has 400 pleats symbolizing the years under Turkish rule!
These key government and historical installations are guarded by members of the Proedriki Froura (Presidential Guard), also known as Evzones (singular – Evzoni). Evzones are apparently selected based on physical attributes: only the tallest and handsomest in the mandatory Greek military service are selected. The elaborate ceremonial attire worn by the evzones draws its roots from the rebels who won the War of Independence for Greece (1821-1832). The short white poofy skirt apparently has 400 pleats symbolizing the years under Turkish rule!
Every hour, a changing of the guard ceremony takes place, rain or shine, in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
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| View of Syntagma Square from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier |
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| Evzones marching in for the changing of the guards |
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| An elaborate marching ceremony ensues where the previous guards handover to the incoming guards |
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| Coordinated marching in their elaborate traditional uniforms. Love the fuzzballs on the clogs! :) |
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| Evzoni are not allowed to blink, move or pose for pictures without the head guard's permission. So even if the guardhouse next to them goes up in flames, they are not allowed to move from their position! Visitors are also not allowed to make funny faces or instigate a reaction from Evzones on duty otherwise the head guard will come at you! |
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