 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (July 2018) |
| Old Royal Palace | |
|---|---|
Παλαιά Ανάκτορα | |
 A view from Vasilissis Amalias Avenue. | |
  Location within Athens | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (a type of Neoclassicism) |
| Location | Athens, Greece |
| Current tenants | Hellenic Parliament |
| Construction started | 1836 |
| Inaugurated | 1843 |
| Client | Ludwig I of Bavaria |
| Owner | Hellenic Republic |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Friedrich von Gärtner |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Old Royal Palace (Greek: Παλαιά Ανάκτορα Palaiá Anáktora) is the first royal palace of modern Greece. It is neoclassical building situated at the heart of modern Athens, facing onto Syntagma Square. It was constructed between 1836 and 1843 to serve as the main residence of the Greek royal family and has been the seat of the Parliament since 1929.
In 1836, King Otto I commissioned the Bavarian architect Friedrich von Gärtner, recommended by his father, Ludwig I of Bavaria, to design a palace that would house not only the royal family but also the ministerial cabinet. At the same time, the architect planned the future National Garden adjacent to the palace with Queen Amélie. The building served as the official royal residence until 1910, when George I chose to move to the Crown Prince's Palace nearby, which now houses the presidency of the Hellenic Republic. On the west side of the building, the site was transformed into the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.
Today, the palace houses the Hellenic Parliament (Greek: Βουλή των Ελλήνων), the office of the President of the Assembly, the Vice Presidents, the Cabinet meeting room, the Parliament's television channel, and administrative services. It is accessible by public transportation via the bus and metro networks (Syntagma station).