Churches in Athens

Of course we popped into every church we came across, even those we visited last time. It is amazing how different the churches are in different countries. It Italy it seems to be more about the art that is added whereas in Greece the art is the walls and ceiling as every space is painted and frescoed. They are also a lot darker than the many we have visited in Italy but still totally amazing.

The church that always draws me in is the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea, one of the oldest churches in Athens. Believed to have been built around 1050, it was built over an Ancient Greek temple dedicated to the worship of a goddess. Thankfully it was saved from demolition and sits in the centre of the modern day Athens, right in the middle of a high-traffic shopping area at the edge of the Plaka.

The next church we came across was tucked away in a quiet side street and we almost missed it. Devoted to the archangels, the Church of Panagia Grigoroussa stands on the site of a former Byzantine chapel. Built between the 11th and 12th century it was almost entirely destroyed during the 1822 revolution. It was rebuilt using materials from the first church as well as materials from other destroyed churches. Adorned with beautiful frescoes we were glad we came across it.

I know we go on about the churches we see on our travels but are so interesting and amazing. The art that is on display always blows me away and the history of the buildings and awe inspiring architecture always amazes us.Read more