Changing of the Guard in Athens, Greece

It’s mid-afternoon on a Tuesday in springtime. We wait almost-patiently in Plateía Syntágmatos (often called Syntagmatos Square by English speakers, meaning Constitution Square) in central Athens. In front of us is the Vouli Building, once a Royal Palace and today home to the Greek Parliament.

The Greek Parliament Building

Beneath the main facade of the Parliament Building is the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. It was unveiled in 1932 on March 25^th, Greece’s National Independence Day.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

One of the ceremonial guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

As the hour approaches 4 pm, our anticipation grows. Then our guide, Maria, points to where three members of the Greek National Guard (known as Évzones) have appeared in the northeast corner of the square, marching smartly. They wear their traditional uniform of white kilt, leggings and pom-poms on their clogs.

The three soldiers approach the tomb. Through a slow and complicated series of drill manoeuvres, two of them take over from a pair of their comrades, who have been standing guard until then.

Another Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens has been successfully completed.

The quiet job of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier resumes

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This post was inspired by the photo themes of Waiting and Anticipate from The Daily Post and Words that start with the letter C from Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge.