Churches and Monasteries, Athens

The church stands next to the modern Cathedral of Athens. It was constructed at the end of the 12th century, on the ruins of an ancient temple, dedicated to goddess Eileithyia.
It was initially called "Little Metropolis", it was dedicated to Panaghia Gorgoepikoos and belonged to the episcopal mansion of Athens. In the 17th century it was referred to as both "Gorgoepikoos" and "Catholicon". In 1841 it housed the public library of Athens and in 1863 it was dedicated to Aghios Eleutherios.

The walls of the church are entirely constructed of large, ancient Greek, Roman, early Byzantine marble blocks and relief plaques, without bricks. The reliefs, ninety in total, are mostly used on the upper section of the walls, resulting in a unique, for a Christian church, decoration. The dome is the only part built in the typical cloisonne masonry.

The tiny Kapnikarea Church, located right in the middle of Ermou Street is probably one of the nicest places in the Plaka. The modern city of Athens popped up around this little jewel and left it relatively untouched. Be sure to take note of the beautiful Byzantine mosaic over the main door.

Scattered around the Plaka and Monastiraki you will find several churches of historical significance. Nearly all the ones I saw had a distinct Byzantine influence, with their characteristic red tile domes, but this one stood out as a bit more unique because of its colored dome and more classical architecture. Just walking around and looking at the many churches in the area is a very interesting way to spend your time, and unlike a lot of things in Athens, it's free!

Athens can offer you a lot of churches visit opportunity.

Of the total 150 Early Christian, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine churches in Athens, 24 have survived virtually intact, 20 remain in a ruinous state, 11 have been disfigured by later intervention, 10 have been replaced by new churches and 85 have been destroyed and no longer exist.

There's a list of the most interresting churches to see :

- Kapnikarea 11 C (Chimney Tax Church)
- St. Theodore (Agioi Theodoroi)
- Virgin Swift Hearing (Panagia Georoepikoos)
- St. John the Theologian (Agios Ioannis o Theologos)
- Saviour of Lykodemos (Soteria tou Lykodemou)
- St. Nicholas Rangavas (Aghios Nikololaos Rangavas)
- Saviour of Kottakis (Soteria tou Kottaki)
- Transfiguration of the Saviour (Metamorphosis tou Sotera)
- St. Catherine (Agia Aikaterini)
- Holy Apostles of Solakis (Agioi Apostoloi Solaki)
- St. Demitrios Loumbardiaris (Aghios Demitrios Loumbardiaris)
- Great Virgin (Megali Panagia)
- Incorporeal Saints (Agioi Asomatoi)
- Mosque of the Lower Fountain
- Penniless Saints (Agioi Anargiroi)
- Pantanassa, Mikro Monastiraki

To see some of the churches I visited, follow this link : The Church of Athens

MITROPOLI - THE ATHENS CATHERAL is along Mitropoleos street. Not that you must visit it but I just happened to chance upon it while looking around for Ivis Travel. It's the travel agent recommended by Ivan for my arrangement to Santorini. They are quite good & you can also get your dosage of online access here should you wish to do so. I was told it's around Euro 2 for an hour. Look for the post office & you should be able to find it quite easily. It's across from the post office.

Anyhow, The Athens Cathedral seems to be a tourist attraction as I came across many groups. One funny phenomenon (which sometimes I do without thinking as well :-( ) is people just go into churches & cathedrals & "snapped" pictures!!! As soon as they are done, they are out of there! It's not quite right as far as I'm concerned (well, when my mind is working, that is, lol...). It's afterall a place for worship. So, I try to at the very least say a prayer of thanks if I've nothing else to say at that moment.

By the way, the cathedral is also the official seat of the Bishop of Athens. Ceremonial events like the coronation of the kings & weddings & funerals of the rich & famous are being held here.

The church is being worked on inside but stands slightly above the street in the Plaka (or below if you are descending from the Acropolis). Worth the visit for the rafters and currently bare interior.

The small Byzantine church is typical of many that are dotted all over the city. This one attributes its foundation to the Empress Irene, although it is doubtful. The structure is, at its earliest, 11thC. It is cruciform in shape with a central dome. The porch has attractive mosaics and the exterior is covered with typical Byzantine brick courses. Restored by the University it is its official church.

Throughout Athens are these small churches that are delights, remnants of a past that is still very much alive. You have to visit in the mornings to find them open (and it is often hit and miss) but there is always something worth the time. Light a candle while you are there and pray for all travellers!