The fallen warrior
The relief shows a dead warrior in the style of an ancient hoplite, lying on his back with a round shield and an ancient Greek helmet. Fokion Rok carved it between 1930 and 1932.
Urban Tales › Athens › Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: the history, and the changing of the guard
Below the Hellenic Parliament on Syntagma Square, a marble relief of a fallen ancient warrior honours every Greek soldier who was never identified. Here's what you're looking at, and what to listen for while the Evzones stand guard.
Unveiled25 March 1932
ArchitectEmmanuel Lazaridis
SculptorFokion Rok
Guarded byEvzones, day and night
Hear the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
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Words from Pericles
Above the figure: "To an unknown soldier." On either side, two lines from Pericles' funeral oration, as recorded by Thucydides: "One empty bier, made up for the unidentified" and "The whole earth is the tomb of famous men."
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The changing of the guard
The Evzones of the Presidential Guard change every hour, with a slow, high-stepping march. On Sunday mornings at 11 a larger ceremony takes place, with a band.
TipArrive a few minutes before the hour for the changing of the guard, or on Sunday at 11 for the full ceremony. With Urban Tales running, the tomb's story plays as you cross Syntagma Square.
Nearby landmarks
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: common questions
When is the changing of the guard in Athens?
Every hour, on the hour, day and night. The larger ceremony with a band takes place on Sunday at 11:00.
Who are the Evzones?
Soldiers of the Presidential Guard, an elite ceremonial unit. Their uniform includes the pleated fustanella kilt and tsarouchia shoes with pompoms.
What do the inscriptions say?
"To an unknown soldier", with two lines from Pericles' funeral oration recorded by Thucydides: "One empty bier, made up for the unidentified" and "The whole earth is the tomb of famous men."