He, who visits Syntagma Square at the foot of the parlament buliding near the tomb of the unknown soldier, can’t ignore the guard soldiers with their traditional uniforms, skirts and shoes with pompons.
On every Sunday, on 11 o’clock, a military parade accompanied with military bands takes place. The guards march to the Parliament building to the great/ weekly guard changing. In addition, every hour, a unique changing of guards’ ceremony is held.
The soldiers march in a militaristic stiff style waving up and down their legs with a loud stamping. This is a unique and interesting several minute’s ceremony.
Changing of the Guard in Athens
Greece
Soldiers guard at the Parliament Building in Athens
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Greece background and overview
Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and Communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. A military dictatorship, which in 1967 suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country, lasted seven years. The 1974 democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981 Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the euro zone in 2001.
[Courtesy of The World Factbook]
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