Photographer's Note
The current building, a neoclassical three-floor structure designed by Friedrich von Gärtner and completed in 1843, originally served as a palace for the Greek monarchs. After suffering fire damage in 1909, it entered a long period of renovation. Members of the royal family continued to reside there until 1924, when a referendum abolished the monarchy. The building was then used for many different purposes — functioning as a makeshift hospital and a museum, among other things — until November 1929, when the government decided that the building would instead house the Parliament. After more extensive renovations, the Senate convened in the "Old Palace" (Παλαιά Ανάκτορα) on 2 August 1934, followed by the Fifth National Assembly on 1 July 1935. Although the monarchy was restored that same year, the building has housed the Parliament ever since.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Μνημείο του Αγνώστου Στρατιώτη), guarded by the Evzones of the Presidential Guard, is located in the formal forecourt of the building. Construction of the monument began in 1929 and was inaugurated on March 25, 1932.
The main Chamber of Parliament, on the ground floor, is amphitheatrical in layout, and is panelled in purple and purple-veined white marble with inlaid gold ornaments. Seating for the MPs is arranged in five circular sectors. The Speaker's Chair, the lectern, the ministerial and state functionary benches, and the stenographers' vault are made of carved wood and are laid out facing the MP seats. A colonnaded balcony surrounds the upper tier of the Chamber and is used as the visitors' gallery. Part of it served as the Royal Box in the past. A vitrail roof provides natural light during daytime.
An almost identical, but smaller-scaled, Chamber was originally built in the second floor for use of the Senate. Since there has not been a Senate for several decades, this Chamber has no official function any more, and is used for party caucuses and other parliamentary or party functions on an ad hoc basis.
The building has two main entrances, the west-facing formal entrance, which faces the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Syntagma Square, and the east-facing business entrance, which faces the National Gardens. Improvements are ongoing, some of them significant (such as the addition of an 800-vehicle underground parking structure), to ensure that the building can continue to function effectively.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellenic_Parliament)
npecanhuk, Budapestman, ngk, Cretense, Longroute marcou esta nota como útil
Critiques | Translate
mikolaj_kawa
(0) 2010-01-05 0:32
Hello Vasilis! Superb soldier. Amazing scene. Excellent architecture. Good long perspective. Original composition. Sophisticated frame. Very good note. Well done!
npecanhuk
(79329) 2010-01-05 0:57
Hello Vasilis!
Very interesting and beautiful picture!
Sharpness, exposure, pov, dof, colors, vertical format, color of the frame and composition are all excellent!
Successful mixture of architecture and ceremony!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan
John_F_Kennedy
(43797) 2010-01-05 1:19
Hello Vasilis,
A beautiful piece of architecture in wonderful framing! Well done. I like the ceremony in the FG
best wishes and have a nice day
Achim
lousat
(129957) 2010-01-05 1:39
Hi Vasilis,what a perfect timing..ehehe..very nice to take the guard in this position...and the perspective is fantastic too,a very great and different way to show the parliament! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano
Budapestman
(82620) 2010-01-05 2:00
Hi Vasilis,
a very spectacular photo of this imposing architecture with attractive vertical composition and nice details, Tfs! Have a nice day!
George
ngk
(2413) 2010-01-05 4:07
Γεια σου Βασίλη ,
Πολύ καλό το σημείο της λήψης ,απίθανα χρώματα, εξαιρετικό κάδρο . Πολύ ωραία σύνθεση.
Συγχαρητήρια!!
Καλή χρονιά και πάλι
nasos k.
Yves-triga
(5149) 2010-01-05 9:04
hello vasilis,
very nice,i like this shoot with this typical men from grece,a judiscious pov,
well done
yves
Cretense
(68709) 2010-01-05 9:24
Γεια σου Βασίλη!
Εξαιρετικό κάδρο και γωνία λήψης! Πολύ καλή σύνθεση, πολύ καλός φωτισμός και υπέροχα χρώματα!
Ηρακλής
raszid62
(18457) 2010-01-05 13:46
Hello
He passed the whole day, and the guard still marching , as a strength. But seriously, very cool composition, nice light pastel colors and excellent sharpness.
Best Regards
Joseph
Longroute
(19600) 2010-01-06 1:41
This is the one I prefer among the many you have posted of this remarcable monument. I like the pov and the perspective which shows both the soldier and the fine neoclassic building.
There is a lovely chromatic contrast with the interesting sky and a good framing. Fine delicate colours and a good clarity too. A very good work.
Have a nice day,
Donato
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Vasilis Protopapas (vasilpro)
(41801)
- Genre: Lugares
- Medium: Cor
- Date Taken: 2009-12-29
- Categories: Vida Diária, Cerimónias, Arquitectura
- Camera: Nikon D90, Nikon AF-S VR 18-105mm f/3.5 - 5.6G ED, Hoya 62mm Circular Polarizer
- Exposição: f/9.0, 1/320 segundos
- More Photo Info: view
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original
- Tema(s): Athens - Pireaus (Attica prefecture) [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2010-01-05 0:29