Syntagma — Constitution Square — is the political heart of modern Athens. The eastern side is occupied by the Greek Parliament, housed in the former Royal Palace of King Otto, and outside it the Evzones of the Presidential Guard stand watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The hourly changing of the guard, in pleated kilts and red shoes with pompoms, is a small spectacle worth catching on the hour.
The square itself is a broad open space ringed by hotels, ministries, and the main metro interchange. It is the most common starting point for demonstrations, parades, and football celebrations. The metro station underneath is an attraction of its own — excavations during construction revealed the ancient cemetery the station now displays through glass walls along the platform.