Hellenic Parliament House, Athens
The Hellenic Parliament is housed in a historic building that once served as home to the Greek Royal Family. Constructed in 1840 by Bavarian architect Friedrich von Gärtner, the neoclassical palace was initially the official residence of King Otto, Greece's first monarch. The construction marked the end of Turkish occupation and was funded by Otto's father, King Ludwig of Bavaria. After being damaged by a fire in the early 20th century, the Royal Family relocated to a new palace, which today serves as the Presidential Mansion.
To make it suitable as a Parliament seat, the imposing edifice underwent extensive renovations. In 1935, it became home to the Greek National Assembly and presently accommodates the offices of the Assembly's President, as well as archives and other services. Its western façade, overlooking Syntagma Square, has a Doric portico clad in Pentelic marble. In front of the building lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial honoring all Greeks who have lost their lives in wars serving their country.
Tip:
Public access to the palace is open only from one side. Please note that visitors are not allowed to walk on the marble stairs. No tour guide is available.
To make it suitable as a Parliament seat, the imposing edifice underwent extensive renovations. In 1935, it became home to the Greek National Assembly and presently accommodates the offices of the Assembly's President, as well as archives and other services. Its western façade, overlooking Syntagma Square, has a Doric portico clad in Pentelic marble. In front of the building lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a memorial honoring all Greeks who have lost their lives in wars serving their country.
Tip:
Public access to the palace is open only from one side. Please note that visitors are not allowed to walk on the marble stairs. No tour guide is available.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Athens. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Hellenic Parliament House on Map
Sight Name: Hellenic Parliament House
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Athens, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Athens
Creating your own self-guided walk in Athens is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Athens Food Walking Tour
Traditional Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world, and prices in all but the flashiest establishments afford excellent value. The prevalence of vegetable and dairy dishes makes eating out a delight for non-meat eaters. Carefully selected appetizers (tzatzíki, dolmádes, kalamarákia) can constitute a full meal. Greece’s most famous slow-cooked oven dish, however, is probably... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Plaka Attractions Walking Tour
In the shadow of the Acropolis stands Plaka, the most picturesque and oldest district of Athens, with continuous habitation from antiquity until today. The “neighborhood of the Gods”, as it is called, is like a romantic, atmospheric trip to old Athens adorned with antiquities, historic 19th-century buildings, museums and Byzantine churches.
From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Athens Introduction Walking Tour
Athens, the cradle of Western Civilization and one of Europe's oldest cities, originated between the 4th and the 3rd millennia BC. The story of Athens stems from a mythological contest between the goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena, and the god of the sea, Poseidon. Both deities vied to become the city's patron. Poseidon's gift of a saltwater spring was deemed impractical,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Walking Tour Around the Legendary Acropolis
Also called "the sacred rock", the Acropolis was home to temples and sanctuaries throughout recorded history, and is a symbol of the city of Athens. Its religious importance was paramount to the ancient Greeks, and the buildings on the summit still capture the essence of their classical architecture. You can see the temples from most parts of the city, which adds to the feeling that this... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Walking Around the National Garden
The National Garden is an impressive, historic park in the center of Athens, complete with artificial streams and duck ponds. Formerly known as the Royal Garden, it was commissioned by King Otto’s queen, Amalia, in 1838, reason why it is located directly behind the Old Palace (currently the Greek Parliament building). Not only is it a welcome refuge from the swirl of traffic just outside the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
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