Syntagma Square ( el, Πλατεία Συντάγματος, , "Constitution Square") is the central square of

Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...

. The square is named after the

Constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When these princ ...

that

Otto Otto is a masculine German given name and a surname. It originates as an Old High German short form (variants ''Audo'', '' Odo'', ''Udo'') of Germanic names beginning in ''aud-'', an element meaning "wealth, prosperity". The name is recorded f ...

, the first King of Greece, was obliged to grant after a popular and military uprising on 3 September 1843.DOMESTIC POLICY 1833-1897
/ref> It is located in front of the 19th-century

Old Royal Palace The Old Royal Palace ( el, Παλαιά Ανάκτορα ''Palaiá Anáktora'') is the first royal palace of modern Greece, completed in 1843. It has housed the Hellenic Parliament since 1934. The Old Palace is situated at the heart of modern A ...

, housing the

Greek Parliament The Hellenic Parliament ( el, Ελληνικό Κοινοβούλιο, Elliniko Kinovoulio; formally titled el, Βουλή των Ελλήνων, Voulí ton Ellínon, Boule of the Hellenes, label=none), also known as the Parliament of the He ...

since 1934. Syntagma Square is the most important square of modern Athens from both a historical and social point of view, at the heart of commercial activity and Greek politics. The name Syntagma ( el, Σύνταγμα) alone also refers to the neighbourhood surrounding the square. The metro station underneath the square, where lines 2 and 3 connect, along with the tram terminal and the numerous bus stops, constitutes one of the busiest transport hubs in the country.

Description

The square is bordered by Amalia Avenue (''Leofóros Amalías'') to the east,

Street (''Óthonos'') to the south and King George I Street (''Vasiléos Georgíou Prótou'') to the north. The street bordering the square to the west, connecting Stadiou Street with Fillelinon Street, is simply named "Syntagma Square" (''Plateia Syntágmatos''). The eastern side of the square is higher than the western, and dominated by a set of marble steps leading to Amalias Avenue; beneath these lies the Syntagma metro station. The stairs emerge below between a pair of outdoor cafes, and are a popular city-centre gathering place. Syntagma also includes two green areas to the north and south, planted with shade trees, while in the centre of the square there is a large mid-19th century water fountain. The

neoclassical building, housing the

since 1934, is immediately across Amalias Avenue to the east, and surrounded by the extensive National Gardens, which are open to the public; the Parliament itself is not open to the public, even when not in session. Every hour, the changing of the guard ceremony, performed by the

Presidential Guard Presidential Guard may refer to: *President Guard Regiment (Bangladesh) *Presidential Guard Regiment (Turkey) *Presidential Guard (Greece) *Presidential Guard (Belarus) *Presidential Guard (South Vietnam) *President's Own Guard Regiment (Ghana) * ...

, is conducted in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the area between the Syntagma Square and Parliament building. On certain days, a ceremonial changing of the guard occurs with an army band and the majority of the 120

Evzones The Evzones or Evzonoi ( el, Εύζωνες, Εύζωνοι, ) were several historical elite light infantry and mountain units of the Greek Army. Today, they are the members of the Presidential Guard ( el, Προεδρική Φρουρά , transli ...

present at 11 am.

History

The square was designed and constructed in the early 19th century, shortly after King Otto moved the capital of the newly born Greek Kingdom from

Nafplio Nafplio ( ell, Ναύπλιο) is a coastal city located in the Peloponnese in Greece and it is the capital of the regional unit of Argolis and an important touristic destination. Founded in antiquity, the city became an important seaport in the ...

in 1834. It was designed as one of the two central squares of modern Athens, situated to what were then the eastern boundaries of the city. The second square was

Omonoia Square Omonoia Square (, ''Plateía Omonoías'', , "Concord Square", often simply referred to as ''Omónia'' ) is a central square in Athens. Forming the centre of Omonoia. It marks the northern corner of the downtown area defined by the city plans of ...

, to the north of the city. Even though King Otto's Royal Palace was at first planned to be erected on Omonia Square, a location overlooking the eastern square was deemed a better option. Thus, the square's first name was "Palace Square". Work for the construction of the Old Palace to the north of the square, started in 1836 and lasted until 1843. In late July 1843, a popular and military

uprising Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority. A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and ...

took place in the Greek Capital on September 3, 1843. Soldiers under Dimitrios Kallergis gathered in front of the palace and demanded the granting of constitution. King Otto was then obliged to grant the first Constitution of Greece. In memory of the event, the palace square was renamed to Constitution Square or ''Syntagma Square'' in Greek. 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 Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

Transport

Syntagma Square is a hub for many forms of

public transportation Public transport (also known as public transportation, public transit, mass transit, or simply transit) is a system of transport for passengers by group travel systems available for use by the general public unlike private transport, typical ...

in Athens and is one of the busiest transport hubs in Greece. Metro lines 2 and 3 of the

Athens Metro The Athens Metro ( el, Μετρό Αθήνας, Metro Athinas, translit-std=iso) is a rapid-transit system in Greece which serves the Athens urban area and parts of East Attica. Line 1 opened as a conventional steam railway in 1869 and electrif ...

have a stop at the

Syntagma station Syntagma (σύνταγμα), a Greek word meaning "arrangement" in classical Greek and "constitution" in modern Greek, may refer to: *The Constitution of Greece * Ottoman Empire Constitution of 1876 *Syntagma Square in Athens * Syntagma station of ...

, which is to be found under the square; the

Athens Tram The Athens Tram is the modern public tram network system serving Athens, Greece. The system is owned and operated by STASY, which replaced Tram S.A. in June 2011. STASY operates a fleet of 25 Alstom Citadis and 35 Sirio vehicles, which serve ...

also has its northern terminal next to the square. Buses and trolleybuses start, terminate and connect the square to many places in the metropolitan area. Travel between Syntagma Square and the

Eleftherios Venizelos Airport Athens International Airport ''Eleftherios Venizelos'' ( el, Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Αθηνών «Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος», ''Diethnís Aeroliménas Athinón "Elefthérios Venizélos"''), commonly initialised as ...

is available via the special airport bus line X95 and metro line 3. Free high-speed

wireless Wireless communication (or just wireless, when the context allows) is the transfer of information between two or more points without the use of an electrical conductor, optical fiber or other continuous guided medium for the transfer. The most ...

Internet The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a '' network of networks'' that consists of private, pub ...

access (4 Mbit/s) is offered by the Municipality of Athens at the square. The square is also a hub for buses to the northern suburbs and the Athens Olympic Complex in Maroussi.

Attractions near the square

The square is located near many of Athens' oldest and most famous neighbourhoods and tourist attractions, all within walking distance: *

Plaka Pláka ( el, Πλάκα) is the old historical neighborhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis, and incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture. Plaka is built on top of the residenti ...

(Πλάκα), *

Monastiraki Monastiraki (Greek: Μοναστηράκι, ''Monastiráki'', , literally ''little monastery'') is a flea market neighborhood in the old town of Athens, Greece, and is one of the principal shopping districts in Athens. The area is home to cloth ...

(Μοναστηράκι), *

Psiri Psyri or Psiri or Psyrri or Psirri ( el, Ψυρή or Ψυρρή,Probably derived from Ψυρής "inhabitant of Psara" (formerly known as Psyra or Psyrii). ) is a gentrified neighbourhood in Athens, Greece, today known for its restaurants, bars, ...

(Ψυρρή) *

Kolonaki Kolonaki (, ), literally "Little Column", is an upscale neighborhood in central Athens, Greece. It is located on the southern slopes of Mount Lycabettus. Its name derives from the two metre column (located in Kolonaki Square) that defined the are ...

(Κολωνάκι) * Acropolis (Ακρόπολις), *

Theater of Dionysus The Theatre of Dionysus (or Theatre of Dionysos, el, Θέατρο του Διονύσου) is an ancient Greek theatre in Athens. It is built on the south slope of the Acropolis hill, originally part of the sanctuary of Dionysus Eleuthereus (Di ...

, *

Areopagus The Areopagus () is a prominent rock outcropping located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Its English name is the Late Latin composite form of the Greek name Areios Pagos, translated "Hill of Ares" ( grc, Ἄρειος Πάγος) ...

, the

Ancient Agora of Athens The ancient Agora of Athens (also called the Classical Agora) is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora, located to the northwest of the Acropolis and bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west by the hill ...

(Αρχαία Αγορά των Αθηνών) *

Hadrian's Library Hadrian's Library was created by Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 132 on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens. The building followed a typical Roman forum architectural style, having only one entrance with a propylon of Corinthian order, a high ...

Tower of the Winds The Tower of the Winds or the Horologion of Andronikos Kyrrhestes is an octagonal Pentelic marble clocktower in the Roman Agora in Athens that functioned as a ''horologion'' or "timepiece". It is considered the world's first meteorological stat ...

in the Roman Agora, *

Choragic Monument of Lysicrates The Choragic Monument of Lysicrates near the Acropolis of Athens was erected by the ''choregos'' Lysicrates, a wealthy patron of musical performances in the Theater of Dionysus, to commemorate the prize in the dithyramb contest of the City Dio ...

, * Arch of Hadrian (Αψίς του Ανδριανού), * Temple of Olympian Zeus (Ναός του Ολυμπίου Διός), *

Pnyx The Pnyx (; grc, Πνύξ ; ell, Πνύκα, ''Pnyka'') is a hill in central Athens, the capital of Greece. Beginning as early as 507 BC ( Fifth-century Athens), the Athenians gathered on the Pnyx to host their popular assemblies, thus making ...

(Πνύκα), *

Philopappos Monument The Philopappos Monument ( el, Μνημείο Φιλοπάππου, , ) is an ancient Greek mausoleum and monument dedicated to ''Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos'' or ''Philopappus'', ( el, Γάιος Ιούλιος Αντίοχος � ...

(Μνημείο του Φιλοπάππου) on the Hill of the Nymphs, *

Kerameikos Kerameikos (, ) also known by its Latinized form Ceramicus, is an area of Athens, Greece, located to the northwest of the Acropolis, which includes an extensive area both within and outside the ancient city walls, on both sides of the Dipylon ...

Cemetery (Νεκροταφείο Κεραμικού), *

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier A Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is a monument dedicated to the services of an unknown soldier and to the common memories of all soldiers killed in war. Such tombs can be found in many nations and are usually high-prof ...

(Μνημείο του Αγνώστου Στρατιώτη) *Syntagma Square *

Mount Lycabettus Mount Lycabettus (), also known as Lycabettos, Lykabettos or Lykavittos ( el, Λυκαβηττός, ), is a Cretaceous limestone hill in the Greek capital Athens. At 277 meters (908 feet) above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Cen ...

Historic churches also dot the area, some dating from the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

In popular culture

In the film ''

Jason Bourne Jason Bourne () is the title character and the protagonist in a series of novels and subsequent film adaptations. The character was created by novelist Robert Ludlum. He first appeared in the novel '' The Bourne Identity'' (1980), which was ...

'' (2016), Syntagma Square is represented by the

Plaza de España Plaza de España (Square of Spain) may refer to: In Spain * Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona in Barcelona * Plaça d'Espanya (Palma) in Palma, Mallorca * Plaza de España, Madrid in Madrid * Plaza de España (Pontevedra) in Pontevedra * Plaza de Es ...

of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

).El rodaje de 'Bourne 5' convierte a la ciudad de Santa Cruz de Tenerife en Atenas
/ref>

Gallery

File:Athens Syntagma square antiquities.jpg, Portion of the Peisistratian aqueduct on display at Syntagma square File:Syntagma_Square_1900.png, Syntagma Square and George I Street, circa 1900 File:Plateia Syntagmatos Athinai.jpg, The square in 1910 File:The New Government of Greece Enters Athens, 18 October 1944 TR2501.jpg, Crowd celebrates the liberation from the Axis Powers (October 1944) File:Tomb of Unknown at Syntagma Square in Athens.JPG, The

File:Μέγαρο Πάλλη 6110.jpg, Pallis mansion (arch.

Anastasios Metaxas Anastasios Metaxas ( el, Αναστάσιος Μεταξάς; 27 February 1862 – 28 January 1937) was a Greek architect and shooter. Biography Metaxas was the royal architect of George I of Greece and is best known for being the architect cho ...

) File:Athens tram Syntagma.JPG,

in Syntagma

Notes

External links

Informative text in English, attractions, and photosSyntagma Square Public Wireless Internet service (in Greek)Syntagma Square Public Wireless Internet service (in English)
{{Authority control Squares in Athens National squares 1843 establishments in Greece