Piazza Syntagma
Athens
Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens, in front of the old royal palace that is now the Parliament. Its name recalls the uprising of 1843.
A square for the new capital
In 1834 the capital of the young Greek kingdom moved from Nafplio to Athens. The first town planners wanted the royal palace on another square, further north. The plan changed, and the palace was built here between 1836 and 1843.
On the night of 3 September 1843 soldiers and citizens gathered in front of the palace. They demanded a constitution, and the king had to agree. Since then the square has borne the name Syntagma.
What to look at
The east side of the square is higher than the west side. At the top you can see the pale palace that has been home to the Parliament since the 1930s. Two flowerbeds with shady trees line the north and south sides.
Two metro lines run beneath the square. The digs brought to light traces of many eras: Roman baths, an aqueduct and an old riverbed.
The Athenians' meeting point
This square is the centre of Greek political life. Celebrations, marches and rallies before elections take place here. Buses, trams and the metro leave from around it for the whole city.
Locals use it above all as a meeting point. People meet at the foot of the upper side, then set off on foot towards the historic centre.
