Presidential Guard, Athens, Greece
This is an unused postcard shared by J & K that has a photograph of the Greek Presidential Guard. The card was printed in Greece but the photographer is not credited.
The soldiers, the last unit of Evzones in the Hellenic Army, guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Mansion in Athens, Greece. The guard is ceremonial only. In addition to guarding the tomb and the entrance to the mansion it provides personnel for raising and lowering the Greek flag on the Acropolis of Athens, acts as honor guards during foreign head of state visits, and participates in parades. The present guard was established by Royal Degree on 24 December 1868.
The distinctive uniform evolved from clothes worn by klephts (highwaymen) in the Greek War of Independence or the Greek Revolution of 1821. The scarlet fez has the national emblem on the front, and a long black silk tassel. The white cotton kilt is called a Foustanella and has 400 pleats. The white shirt has very wide sleeves. The embroidered waist coat has traditional designs. The fringes seen under the waist coat are blue and white, the colors of the Greek flag. The two garters on each leg are black silk, the two stocking on each leg are white wool, and the shoes are red leather clogs with black pompons. An interesting bit a trivia about the shoes is under the soles, depending on the shoe size, there are between 60 and 120 nails and each shoe weighs about 1.5 kilos or 3.5 pounds. The cartridge belt is of black leather and has a bayonet holder case.
Thanks K & J for sharing the card.
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