Athens – Evzones Protecting the Presidential Palace

Two of the Presidential Guard protecting the Presidential Palace in Athens. Known as Evzones, they’re ceremonial guards and they also protect the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The uniform is distinctive and comprises of the Fustanella (the pleated white kilt-like garment), the Tsarouchia (the red leather shoes with large black pompons) and the Pharion (the red felt cap). They also have a semi-automatic rifle, although there are armed guards nearby to them who are protecting them as they spend quite some time just standing still and not being allowed to move. They take this quite literally, there have been instances where a protester has thrown a firebomb and their sentry hut burned with the nearby Evzone not moving until told to and also a case where police were using tear gas and the soldier was stuck there next to it. All very brave.