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Old Royal Palace (Hellenic Parliament)

The building that now houses the Hellenic Parliament was built as the residence of King Otto, the first monarch of the modern Greek state. It was designed by the Bavarian architect Friedrich von Gärtner, and work began in 1836; Otto and Queen Amalia moved in in 1843. It is a rectangular, three-storey neoclassical building with four wings and two inner courtyards. The facades are plain, because Ludwig I of Bavaria asked for it that way, having financed the work with a personal loan to his son, and the entrances are marked by Doric porticoes, except for the south side, which has Ionic ones. In 1843 a peaceful protest in front of the palace ended in a constitution, and that is where the square opposite gets its name, Syntagma, the Square of the Constitution. A fire in 1909 led the royal family to move to another palace and the monarchy was abolished in 1924. In 1929 it was decided to give it over to Parliament, which held its first session here in 1935. It can be seen from Syntagma Square, at the top of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.

Things to do at Old Royal Palace (Hellenic Parliament): 3 missions

• Frame the whole building from Syntagma SquareCross the square until you have the complete rectangular building in front of you, and look for the spot from which you can see both wings and the taller central part.
• Spot the Doric porticoes on the facadeWalk along the facade from Syntagma Square and spot the Doric porticoes that mark the entrances. Notice how plain the rest of the wall is, something Ludwig I of Bavaria asked for.
• Find out why the square is called SyntagmaStand in front of the old palace and think about the 1843 protest that forced King Otto to grant a constitution: that is where the square gets its name.

Near Old Royal Palace (Hellenic Parliament)

Source: Wikipedia - Antiguo Palacio Real de Atenas