Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Athens)

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Athens)
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Name	Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Native name	Μνημείο του Αγνώστου Στρατιώτη
Caption	The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Hellenic Parliament.
Location	Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece
Designer	Emmanuel Lazaridis
Type	War memorial
Material	Pentelic marble
Begin	1929
Complete	1932
Dedicated	March 25, 1932
Coordinates	37, 58, 32, N...

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Athens) is a war memorial located in the heart of Athens, directly in front of the Hellenic Parliament building on Syntagma Square. Dedicated to the unknown soldiers who have died fighting for Greece, it is the country's most revered secular monument. The site is perpetually guarded by the Evzones of the Presidential Guard and serves as the focal point for national commemorations, including the annual Independence Day parade on March 25.

History and Establishment

The concept for a national tomb was first proposed in the aftermath of World War I and the subsequent Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), conflicts that resulted in massive and unidentified casualties. The Greek government, led by Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, formally decided to create the monument in the late 1920s. A committee selected the design by sculptor Emmanuel Lazaridis, and construction began in 1929. The tomb was officially inaugurated on March 25, 1932, coinciding with the national holiday marking the start of the Greek War of Independence. The remains of the unknown soldier were interred from the battlefields of the Balkan Wars, World War I, and the Asia Minor Campaign.

Architectural and Artistic Features

The monument is carved from Pentelic marble, the same material used for the Parthenon and other classical structures on the Acropolis. Its centerpiece is a large relief sculpture depicting a dying hoplite, inspired by ancient Greek art, lying on a shield. The design is intentionally austere and classical, echoing the aesthetics of Ancient Greece to create a timeless connection. Flanking the central relief are quotes from the funeral oration of Pericles as recorded by Thucydides, and the names of major regions where Greek soldiers have fought, from ancient times to the modern era. The monument's simplicity and powerful symbolism make it a masterpiece of modern Greek neoclassicism.

Ceremonial Role and Guard

The tomb is perpetually guarded by the Evzones, an elite ceremonial unit of the Hellenic Army known as the Presidential Guard. The guards perform a meticulously choreographed changing of the guard ceremony every hour, with a more elaborate version on Sundays. Their distinctive uniform includes the *fustanella* (pleated kilt), *tsarouchia* (clogs with pompons), and precise, slow-motion steps. Major state ceremonies are held here, including wreath-laying by visiting heads of state, such as Charles de Gaulle, Queen Elizabeth II, and Barack Obama. It is the central site for national observances like Ohi Day and the anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising.

Commemorated Conflicts and Inscriptions

The monument explicitly honors the unknown dead from Greece's modern wars, with inscriptions listing the major conflicts. These include the Balkan Wars, World War I, the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), World War II (including the Battle of Greece and Axis occupation of Greece), and the subsequent Greek Civil War. The most prominent inscription is a phrase from Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian War: "Ἀνδρῶν ἐπιφανῶν πᾶσα γῆ τάφος" ("The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men"). Another inscription, from the oration of Pericles, states: "Κείμεθα γὰρ πιστοὶ τοῖς κειμένους νόμοις" ("For we lie here, obedient to their laws").

Location and Surrounding Area

The tomb is situated on Syntagma Square, Athens's central public square, directly facing the neoclassical Old Royal Palace, which houses the Hellenic Parliament. This placement symbolically links the sacrifice of the soldiers with the nation's democratic institutions. The area is a major transportation hub and the site of frequent political demonstrations. Key landmarks within immediate view include the Grande Bretagne Hotel, the National Garden, and the start of Panepistimiou Street, leading to the University and the Acropolis. The location ensures the monument remains an integral part of daily Athenian life and national consciousness. Category:Monuments and memorials in Greece Category:Buildings and structures in Athens Category:World War I memorials and cemeteries Category:World War II memorials and cemeteries