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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Μνημείο του Αγνώστου Στρατιώτη) is one of the most important monuments not only in Athens, but in all of Greece.
The tomb sits in front of Hellenic Parliament at Syntagma Square and is dedicated to Greek soldiers killed during war. It’s a very solemn place that is sacred to Greeks all over the world.
History of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was commissioned in 1926 by Greek general and “constitutional dictator” Theodoros Pangalos (1878-1952). The location was decided in 1929, and Greek sculptor Fokion Rok (1891-1945) started creating the monument in 1930. It was inaugurated on March 25, 1932, by Prime Minister Andreas Michalakopoulos (1876-1938), with the participation of many foreign delegations.
Features of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
In the center of the monument is a sculpture of a fallen warrior holding a shield in his left hand and wearing an ancient helmet. On either side are phrases by Thucydides from the History of the Peloponnesian War.
On each side are the names of battles involving the Greek army. To the left along the steps are the names of battles of the First and Second Balkan War and World War I: Pesta, Gribovo, Pente Pigadia, Preveza, Aetorrachi, Manoliassa, Bizani, Driskos, Kilkis–Lachanas, Belles, Kresna-Tsoumagia, Petsovo, Nevrokopi (Nevrokop), Banitsa, and Machomea.
To the right along the steps are the names of battles of the Russian Civil War and Greco-Turkish War: Cherson, Sermikas, Odessa, Sevastopol, Artaki (Erdek), Aidinio (Aydın), Proussa (Bursa), Philadelphia (Alaşehir), Toumlou Bunar (Dumlupınar), Koutacheia (Kütahya), Dorilaion (Eskişehir), Afyonkarahisar, Sangarios, (Sakarya), and Kale-Groto (Güzelcekale).
To the left and right of the sculpture of the dead warrior are the names of battles of World War II and after: Pindus, Morova, Korytsa, Kalamas, Tomoros, Trebeshina, Cheimarra, Argyrokastron (Gjirokastër), Hill 731, Boubesi, Kalpaki, Mediterranean, Atlantic, Kleisoura, Premeti (Përmet), Ostrovitsa, Pogradec, Roupel, Perithori, Crete, El Alamein, Rimini, Roubikonas, Dodecanese, Korea, Cyprus, Aegean, and Ionian.
Evzones
The tomb is guarded by two Greek soldiers called Evzones, who make up the Presidential Guard. They’re derived from the elite infantry and mountain units of soldiers who fought during the Greek Revolution.
A soldier who wishes to become an Evzone must be 1.87m (over 6’1″) tall and must be able to lift their legs to shoulder length. They go through several weeks of intense training and over half of the candidates fail. In addition to guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, they also guard the Presidential Mansion and are invited to march in parades all over the world.
Tourists are allowed to pose individually with an Evzone, also known as a Tsolias, but are not allowed to make any gestures, speak to them, or get too close. If they do, the soldier will bang the butt of his rifle on the ground and the tourist will get a stern lecture about being respectful by another military officer on duty.
Uniforms
Featuring a foustanella (kilt) and pompoms on the shoes, the uniforms of the Evzones are based on the traditional dress of the klephts, who formed the core of Greek resistance to Ottoman occupation. Each uniform is handmade and very expensive to produce, taking at least six months to complete.
In the summer, Evzones wear khaki-colored cotton uniforms, and in the winter, they wear navy blue wool uniforms. On special occasions, they wear Cretan-style uniforms to honor soldiers from the islands.
The formal uniform of the Evzones are white and are worn on Sundays, holidays, and official visits. They’re full of symbolism. The foustanella contains 400 pleats representing 400 years of Ottoman occupation, and the white color represents the purity of the national independence struggle. The pharion, or fez, represents the blood and sacrifices of the revolutionaries.
Changing of the Guard
A short Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place each hour, 24 hours a day. It’s a wonderful experience to witness the event and a must-see while in Athens. The official ceremony, which is more complex and involves more soldiers in formal dress, is every Sunday at 11am.
Like the uniforms, the Changing of the Guard is full of symbolism. The kicking motion made by the Evzones represents the revolutionaries kicking out the occupying Ottomans, while the loud sounds made by their boots is so their ancestors can hear they are alive and free.
Alternatively, visitors can see the Changing of the Guard in front of the Presidential Mansion. It’s located on the other side of the National Garden. It’s much less crowded than the ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
