The royal residence had to occupy a sanitary and lofty spot that would offer unimpeded views towards the city’s most important archaeological sites. A proposal to build the palace on the Acropolis (for safety reasons) was quickly abandoned after Ludwig I of Bavaria rejected the idea. The shortlist included the hill of Agios Athanasios (in present-day Syntagma Square) and the foot of Mount Lycabettus. A practical solution to the problem of which site was best was eventually found. They left pieces of raw meat on the proposed locations and waited to see where it would remain fresh the longest. The hill of Agios Athanasios (also known as Boubounistra Hill) proved the healthiest; low humidity levels delayed the spoiling of the meat. The palace (which today houses the Hellenic Parliament) was built there with a cornerstone from the Acropolis.