The Olympic Stadium Time to board a bus for a tour of the City. The first stop is the Panathenian Stadium (Olympic Stadium). This all-marble stadium was the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. It was constructed on the site of the stone original, which was built in 330 B.C. Let's pretend we are athletes and race around the track like the ancient Greeks. Did anyone bring a chariot? The Presidential Guards Our tour continues past the Presidential Residence. When Greece was ruled by a monarchy, this was the Royal Palace. Now it is used by the President of the Greek Republic to host dignitaries. Outside the Royal Palace we see soldiers standing guard dressed in early Greek costumes of a multi-pleated white muslin kilt and a white blouse under a black and gold-embroidered wool jacket. The soldiers also march in front of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier which stands in the forecourt of the Greek Parliament. There is a changing of the guards ceremony which takes place every hour.