Parkou Square
Parkou Square is the largest square in Lamia. The names, both official and unofficial, that it has received over the years reflect the historical and social events of Lamia and Greece. A prominent feature of the square is the statue of the Evzone, created by sculptor NikolaosPerantinos. It was placed there to honor the Evzones of the 5/42 Battalion, based in Lamia, who played a distinguished role in the recent history of the country. Visitors quickly realize that this is the heart of the city, and as they observe the beautiful neoclassical buildings surrounding it, they get a taste of the grandeur of old Lamia.
Parkou Square
Parkou Square is the largest square in Lamia, and its initial layout was established in 1836 during the creation of the city's first urban plan by engineer Dimitrios Maniatakis.
Its official name is "Vasileos Konstantinou," but you will never hear any local Lamia residents calling it that! Over the years, it has been given various names, but Lamia residents began referring to it as "Park Square" when, after its renovation in 1937, it was transformed into a park, and since then, this has been its unofficial but unique name.
Initially, the area was used for the city's threshing floors. In 1860, it was named "Amalia Square" in honor of Queen Amalia, the wife of King Otto. Two years later, following King Otto's ousting, it was named "Omonia Square," and in 1912, it was renamed "King Konstantinos Square" in honor of the then-king.
At times, it has also been called "Syntagma Square" and "Sokratous Square" due to the weekly markets held there, as well as "Demokratias Square." After 1964, it informally became known as "Tsolia Square" because a bronze statue of a soldier of the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS), known as Evzone, was placed in the center of the square. These various names reflect the political events in the country and the social changes and developments within the city.
The bronze statue of the Evzone was crafted by NikolaosPerantinos in Florence to honor the Evzonesfighters of the 5/42 Battalion, which was based in Lamia. These fighters had an illustrious history in the Balkan Wars, the Asia Minor Campaign, and the Greco-Italian War. Today, following the 2020 renovation, the statue has been moved a few meters back within the square.
Surrounding Parkou Square, you can find many noteworthy neoclassical buildings. This square is the heart of the city and serves as a meeting place and a promenade. It hosts various events, concerts, and activities, and every Christmas, it becomes the focal point of the city's decorations, featuring the grand Christmas tree of Lamia.
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