In 1833, the Bavarian coat of arms was added to the banner and remained until the fall of King Otto. The later King George I introduced the crown on the flag. This was preserved from 1863 to 1924.

Today, the national flag of Greece consists of 9 horizontal stripes - 5 blue and 4 white alternating. In the upper corner, there is a blue canton, which extends along with the first 5 stripes and contains a white cross.

The Hellenic flag is part of the street scenery in the Center of Athens. Many government buildings, especially in the Governmental district, have both the blue and white Greek flag and the European flag attached.

Often one can see another pennant waving at public authorities in Athens - the flag of the City of Athens. It shows the helmeted head of the ancient goddess Athena on a golden cross over a blue background. The cross and goddess head are individually surrounded by a wreath of olive leaves.

While walking through Athens you will surely notice another flag attached to churches. A yellow flag with a black double eagle on a yellow background is the banner of medieval Byzantium.

The Greek National Anthem

The Greek National Anthem, known as "Hymn to Liberty" or "Hymn to Freedom," is a symbol of the Greek nation's struggle for independence and liberty. Written by the poet Dionysios Solomos in 1823 and set to music by Nikolaos Mantzaros in 1828, the anthem was adopted in 1865.

It stands as one of the longest national anthems in the world, originally consisting of 158 stanzas, although typically only the first two are performed. The anthem celebrates the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule, evoking themes of bravery, freedom, and the sacrifice of those who fought for the nation's liberation.

Its lyrics and music have since become a rallying cry for Greek patriotism and are performed at national ceremonies, sporting events, and other significant occasions to honor Greece's history and heritage.