Even though it does not become immediately apparent when walking among Syntagma’s five star hotels and hip cocktail bars, it’s a place that carries a long and turbulent history.

Its construction was the result of King Otto’s decision to repudiate Nafplio and designate Athens as the new capital of Greece in the mid-19th century.

At the time there were only two main squares in the relatively small city – both famous today as Omonoia and Syntagma.

Shortly after, the latter was chosen to serve as the grounds for the King’s and Queen’s abode.

When the royal residence was finally built a few years later, the premises around the modern urban icon were appropriately named the “Palace Square”.

Queen Amalia was more than eager to take charge of the beautification of the spaces surrounding the palace and her endeavours quickly bore fruit.

Soon enough, the square was adorned with a novel fountain and the area beside the palatial residence became what is known today as the National Garden.