Having a desire for a bit of ceremony and circumstance and then too without much crowds of Buckingham Palace? Seek out these beautiful and dark-coloured public occasions on your journeys. Enjoy the various changing of the guard’s ceremonies to the fullest on this journey.
# Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South KoreaThe re-happening of an old public occasion takes place at the major gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in the central part of Seoul.
The guards were dressed in royal uniforms, took traditional weapons with them and enjoyed playing long-established instruments same as their forefathers did back in 1469 during the time they all were having an important work of protecting the Emperor.
This ceremony is filled with different colours and is lively and you can view old traditions and costumes by travelling to one of the few areas of Seoul.
Don’t get excited by finding yourself rubbing shoulders with the local public who will be in great excitement to see the spectacle as you are among yourself.
# Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC, USAThis dark-coloured ceremony which is held every hour recalls the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the various arguments in which the US has fought in.
The uniformed relief commander who is sinless comes into view in the open area of the town to announce the Changing of the Guard.
After a detailed and meticulous cared inspection of the new guard’s weapon, the Tomb Guard walks 21 steps in a military manner down the black mat at the back of the Tomb and then makes a turn to face in the direction of east for 21 seconds, again turns to make a face to the north for 21 seconds, finally walks 21 steps down the mat and keeps on repeating the process.
After the completion of the turn, the sentinel implements a sharp movement of “shoulder arms” that is to keep the weapon on the shoulder near to the visitors which is to inform that the sentinel maintains an upright position between the Tomb and any kind of danger.
In this elaborate ritual, the guard keeps on changing each and every hour from October 1 to March 31 as well as from April 1 up to September 30.
# Syntagma Square, Athens, GreeceThe ceremony which is held at the Presidential Mansion, characterizing high kicks and shoes including pom-poms and a little away from Syntagma Square has long been one of the favourites among the visitors up to the Greek capital.
At the back of the flamboyant costumes, some of the toughest soldiers of the country called as Evezone are assigned with the duty of protecting the parliament and respecting the immoral which is signed by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Eveline offers 24-hour protection with an hourly sentinel charge and this happens in slow motion in order to maintain correct blood circulation after standing in the state of motionless.
The occasion of changing guards takes place on Sundays at 11 am during the time, the guards are dressed in official uniforms that are based on those damaged by the Kleftes and Armatoloi which are the two groups of Greek warriors in the year of 1821 War of Independence with the Ottomans.
There are 400 folds in the white skirt of the uniform to constitute the 400 years of works of the Ottoman above the Greeks. The red shoes which are made of leather along with a small knot in front are quite spectacular and famous here.
# Royal Palace, Stockholm, SwedenThe daily changing of the guard is done with winter and summer versions at the Stockholm’s Royal Palace but it is the summer one which is attracted and liked by most crowds. The guards are busy in cleaning again their brilliant blue summer uniform which is the one with white trim between April 23 and August 31.
During this time only the give a nice polishing to their pointy Pickelhaube steel helmets. The open area of the official residence of King Carl XVI, the largest palace in the world still being used by a head of state are assembled by the guards. Daily at noon, the major change of guard happens, then minor versions take place every hour at the 5 guard posts marked on all sides of the Royal Castle.
# Wagah, India/Pakistan borderIf you are very keen on the colourful changing of the guard ceremonies, loud and bordering on the ridiculous, then the Beating Retreat that is the lowering of the flag occasion and the India-Pakistan’s border named Wagah is the perfect one for you.
Evening at the time of sunset, this ceremony takes place and is featured by complex and rapid dance-like movements and finishes up with perfect coordination of the lowering of the flags of the two nations.
# The Vatican For something more relaxing, get a sight of the changing of the guard during daytime at the Vatican. For sure if there were no absurd bright uniforms of the fabled Swiss Guards, it would have been unnoticeable. Facing the church, you can see the ceremony which is held at the Arch of Bells on the left-hand side of St Peter’s Basilica.
Then for doubt look out the cowboys who have worn a floppy beret and dressed in puffy-sleeved shirts and pantaloons in various colours like orange, red, blue and yellow.
# Windsor Castle, Windsor, UKGot a strong desire for uncontrolled British spectacle and ceremony but not have a surety about the absurd crowds that get collected outside Buckingham Palace. Then you have to board a train from London and move south to Windsor. The changing of the guard in Windsor Castle is smaller and beautiful.
The Guards dressed in the uniform of red tunics and bearskins, including Guards band parade move along public roads gone by the Guildhall and the Parish Church. You can watch them by standing on the footpath. During April, May, June and July, the ceremony is held daily and takes place alternately from August to March.