Weekly Photo Challenge: Graceful

Location: Athens, Greece
 
It’s a thing of beauty watching the changing of the guards in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located at the Parliament Building on Syntagma Square. Each guard wearing his traditional kilt, red and black cap and black clogs with pompoms exemplifies gracefulness and elegance in the performance of his duties.

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The guards are called Evzones (well belted) and members of the Presidential Guard founded in 1868. They are volunteers drawn from the Hellenic Army’s Infantry Corps.

The changing of the guard ceremony takes place every hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The above photos show them in their traditional attires. Non-ceremonial uniforms (khaki in summer and navy blue in winter) are worn Monday through Saturday with the exception of special national days or the reception of dignitaries.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Transition

Location: Location: Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece

 
The Evzones is the name of the elite unit that guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square in downtown Athens, Greece.

The changing of the guard ceremony is a must-see. You can’t miss it unless you really want to. It’s held every hour, 24 times every day. I want to point out, however, that it’s not done for your convenience. Rather, it’s for the benefit of the guards. Being a guard is no easy feat. They hold on to their post for one hour three times every 58 hours and requires them to remain motionless except when they switch positions every fifteen minutes.

The above picture was taken during my second visit to Athens with the guards sporting the traditional white kilt-like garment called fustanella, red caps and clogs with black pompons. The first time I saw them, they were wearing regular khaki uniforms with skirts.

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