Syntagma Square and Mount Lycabettus – Athens

Syntagma Square and Mount Lycabettus – Athens

Syntagma Square is the main square of Athens, also known as Constitution Square for being the place where, on September 3, 1843, the people demonstrated to King Otto the request to accept the creation of a new Constitution.

In Syntagma Square is the Parliament, a building built between 1836 and 1842 as the residence of Otto, the first king of Greece.

In front of the Parliament is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier protected day and night by the “Euzoni”, two guardians dressed in traditional uniform and at any time you can watch the changing of the guard.

The Lycabettus is a small mountain of 278 meters high is located in the kolonaki district, in the center of Athens.

The hill owes its name (Hill of the Wolves) to the large amount of wolves that in ancient times lived in its pine forest.

During the classical era, the hill was covered with dense vegetation and a temple dedicated to Zeus was built on the top. 

The appearance of the hill changed during the Turkish occupation, as a result of which the mountain remained completely uninhabited.

Between 1880 and 1915 there was a deep deforestation that led to its current appearance.

At the highest point is the small Orthodox chapel of St. George built of white stone.

The hill can be reached on foot along the narrow streets, by car or using the cable car.

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