<- From Plaka to Kerameikos | From Constitution square to Hilton Hotel->
"Constitution" square is the most central place in Athens downtown. The building of the Greek Parliament is located there, as well as the historical hotel Grande Bretagne, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the modern bookstore "Public", lots of coffee shops, stores and restaurants. In 1843, huge crowds gather on that square, shouting the slogan "Constitution! Constitution!" After forcing the first Greek king Oton to issue the first constitution of the country, the square was named after the event.
When standing on the square, you can't miss an impressive neoclassical building in ochre and white, originally built to serve as castle for the Bavarian king Oton and currently housing the Greek parliament. Right beneath its walls stands the Monument of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame being twenty-four-hour guarded. They are wearing attractive uniforms, a tradition that hadn't changed since the liberating revolution in 1823, consisting of white pantyhose, white skirts and shoes with huge black tassels. Guarders are a favorite picture object for the tourists who gather around at the round hours to watch the change of the Eternal flame guard.
Behind the Parliament's building you can find the National park, in the past known by the name "Royal Garden." The park inhabits an area of 15.5 hectares and reaches the Zapion complex. In the park you can enjoy the green flora, hardly present in the center of the city, a small lake and numbers of benches where you can have a rest on the shadow after a tour in Athens downtown.
Write opposite Zapion complex, the temple of Zeus the Olympian can be seen. It was built in 6th century BC during the governing of the Athenian tyrants. They wanted to build one of the biggest temples in the ancient world. It was completed under the ruling of Adrian, in 2nd century BC- 650 years after it was started. During the Roman period, the temple was known to be the biggest in Greece and it used to house one of the largest and most significant statues in the ancient world- the statue of Zeus. Next to the temple, the remains of Adrian's arch can be seen; it was built by the emperor himself when he occupied the city. On one side of the arch one can read the lines: "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus," and on the other: "This is the city of Adrian and not Theseus."
<- From Plaka to Kerameikos | From Constitution square to Hilton Hotel->