Change of Guard in Syntagma Square Athens, Greece
WARNING: This post on Change of Guard in Syntagma Square has 21 pictures. The change of guard takes place at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, in front of Parliament, Syntagma Square, Athens every hour no matter what the weather is. I had a brief stint with Indian Air Force as a uniformed personnel, so witnessing this meant a lot to me.
It is said that the change of guards in Syntagma Square on a Sunday at 11 AM is worth watching, it is more elaborate one. We had to be content watching the simple one as we were there on a week day.
Change of guard takes place at the Parliament, other important official buildings and Presidential Palace in Athens.
Photo Essay on Change of Guard in Syntagma Square Athens
The Monument of the Unknown Soldier is guarded by Presidential guards known as Evzones (Special unit of the Hellenic Army, also known as Tsoliades). As we stood there waiting for the clock to strike 10 and for the drama to begin 3 well dressed Greek soldiers marched into the square. Any first timer would be struck with awe at the graceful, yet firm rigid movements of the soldiers.
The Greek Parliament guards wear their traditional 19th century costume from southern Greece; the skirt with several neat pleats attracts attention. The shoes aren’t boots as one expects them to be, but deep red colored slipons (each is said to 3kgs.). The guys are huge. One has to be more than 6 feet tall to get selected for this prestigious role.
The guards stand in front of their guard house motionless. As the new guards who are to replace them march in, the old guards start a kind of slow motion march dragging their foot backward, then raising that leg out straight before taking each step. They do a small drill lifting their guns, every action done very slowly. The new guards march towards them and they exchange their places.
Notice the Tsarouchi shoe? Tsarouchia are typically made of a number of pieces of stiff leather hand-sewn together. They have an upturned toe, covered by a large woolen pompon. It was originally intended to make the shoe’s toe waterproof, but lately as an essential feature of their decoration.
The new guards march off to replace the old ones.
Each soldier mounts guard for one hour at a time for three times every forty eight hours. They work in pairs in order to perfectly coordinate their movements.
The old and the new guard do some drills together. Years later during my visit to Attari border post near Amritsar, I witnessed guards of India and Pakistan do drills together. Read this: Attari Border Beating Retreat Ceremony.
The grave of the Unknown Soldier represents the common memory of all unknown soldiers killed at war.
The old guards marching off. (Could those shoes weigh 3 kg, really?) The old guards join the main guard who escorted the new guards.
Three of them now march off, the soldiers in normal uniform saluting them as they cross.
A cross over takes place, the new guard at the right goes to the left, the one in the left to right.
Their movements are so symmetric and interesting to capture in lens.
Uniform of Presidential Guard – Interesting Facts
- The white skirt has 400 folds represents the 400 years of Ottoman occupation over the Greek. The skirt is made with 30 metres of cloth.
- Shoes worn by the Evzones are known as Tsarouchia and weigh over three kilograms
- The toe of the Tsarouchia is pointed upwards and covered by a black silk pom-pom which is hand cut to shape
- The shoes have at least 60 nails on the sole. During the march of the Evzone the sound of nails hitting the ground simulate the sound of battle.
- An interesting tale goes that – when a young King Otto moved from Bavaria to Greece to take the throne, he could no longer hear the sounds of horses that he loved. So he made his guards walk in this fashion to replicate the sound and therefore, make him feel like he was closer to home.
The tassels, pleats all ruffled after the march.
A soldier in normal uniform adjusts the pleats and sets the tassels flat on the skirt, fustanella. (Fustanella is a traditional pleated skirt like garment, also referred to as a kilt worn by men of many nations in the Balkans.)
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I live in Athens and the change of the Guards is something I love watching from time t time. Your photos are amazing by the way!
You did a great job capturing the ceremony. I’ve only been to the changing of the guards at the grave of the unknown soldier in Washington DC. It would be interesting to watch them elsewhere around the globe. Thanks for sharing.
Love changing of the guards but this Greek one has pluses: their cute uniform and their leg lifts!!!
I love watching changes of the guard and I try to see them whenever I’m around one. I served in the military so I guess that’s why it means a lot to me. Plus I love seeing the uniforms; especially more traditional ones like this one. It’s crazy that you have to be over six feet to be able to do it though!
Such majestic pageantry. It must have been really something in person.
What a beautiful and impressive ceremony! Changing of the Guard ceremonies are so neat to see.
Wow, I on’t think I have ever seen uniforms like this. I used to work near Buckingham Palace in London an the guard uniforms look very different indeed.
What an unique thing to experience while in Athens! Would love to see this, pinning it for the future!
Wow, never seen this before. Loving the photos and the uniforms are very stylish 🙂
I have viewed this ceremony in person, and it really IS quite amazing to watch. Impressive photos. You captured it all quite well!
Your pictures are so precise and well taken. Transported me right there.
What unique and interesting uniforms.
beautiful uniform .. and they look smart
Bikram’s
Nice pictures of you in Greece. Tomorrow we go to Holland for Christmas holiday.
Greetings Albert and Mara
Interesting shots! Final shot of the uniform adjustment shows the human part of the otherwise mechanised ritual…
Funny and interesting
Their traditional uniforms look beautiful but a bit clumsy. I wonder how they manage the march and parades so neatly in this uniform. A wonderful thing to witness. Thanks for sharing it all in the photographs.
Beautiful Photographs! A good Presentation….
Thats such beautiful pictures Indrani.Loved watching them 🙂
Interesting!
Wonderful pics, Indrani 🙂
3 kgs? Whoa!
Interesting uniforms, I see.
Watching that must have been something.
Beautiful shots. Great.
Great shots…. even I wondered about the shoes!!!
Beautiful and fascinating pictures.
Great pics!
Queer uniform..funny drill.Pictures are eye feasting.
this must have been wonderful to see.
there uniforms are quite lovely and the shoes are very interesting.
Super series. I liked the dress.
That looks like something to see – their costumes are very distinctive.
How weird can uniforms get. It looks more like a ballet!
I love the shots of the changing of the guard. Looks like quite a dance to me.
21 photos..equally enjoyed..:-)
They are in such perfect time with each other and so well captured. Fascinated by the metal horseshoe on the heel of their shoes. Great photos.
And all of them are equally delightful!
The dress is rather cute …doesn't give an "ärmy"feel :)…but thats the beauty of different cultures!
Wow! Excellent series and absolutely stunning capture with the pretty yet prideful process… I also find the custom of changing guards every hour and their unique attire very interesting. Impressive!
Worth checking post despite the warning!
Splendid captures, Indrani! Loved watching their costume… Do those shoes actually weigh 3kg???
lovely photography!
What a fascinating drill. The dresses are gorgeous. !
Hello Indrani, what a cool thing to watch. I like the uniforms. A great series of photos! Thanks for sharing.. Have a happy day!
Wonderful captures.. One of the marvellous and most useful inventions of digital era is the digicams..How easliy are we transported to the scene without being there.. thanks for sharing Indrani..
I have a lot of pictures of them too ! Was interesting to watch !
that i something cool 🙂
Nice shots. The Shoes have metal horseshoe and spikes. so can be 3kg 🙂
Awesome pictures, whole act of guards changing their places is looking beautiful 🙂
The images are wonderful! Enjoyed watching all the pageantry.
Your posts make me yearn for seeing the places you describe so well embellished with eye catching pictures.
Hello Indrani!!
Wow!!Great series of pictures!!You can see the change of guard every day in from of the Greek Parliament house!Amazing captures!!Thank you for sharing!
Dimi…
I love those guards. They are stunning. I wouldn't have been able to resist posting 21 pictures either 🙂
This is one of my favorite memories of Greece!!! I did love watching the changing of the guard!! Thanks so much for sharing these, Indrani!! Hope you have a great new week!!
what neat uniforms and a great tradition.
Fabulous shots. I just love their uniform.
I really like this set of photos! I would love to see this in person. They must be in terrific shape!
A fine series of captures, Indrani. I couldn't help but hear Zorba the Greek in my head though. Must be the uplifted legs and hands.