The most complete information guide about Athens, Greece
Churches
in Athens
Agia Irini (Saint
Irene)
You’ll
find the church of Saint Irene between Aiolou and Athinas streets.
On the same location, there used to be an earlier church dedicated
to the same saint. The church had been repaired soon after the
creation of the Greek State and was to be used as the Cathedral.
When, in 1842, it was decided to build a new Cathedral, the local
community asked that it would be built in the same place. Even
though their efforts were unsuccessful, a part of the funds that
had already been collected for the cathedral were used to fund
the building of the new church of Saint Irene.
The
new church was designed by lissandros Kaftantzoglou and construction
began in August 1846. The local community, the Municipality of
Athens and the Public Revenue Office funded the project. The church
is a three aisled domed basilica. On the plainly decorated façade
there are three vaults. On the upper part there are lobed windows
with a pediment. At the ends of the façade there are two
bell towers.
It
is evident that the church’s form is a combination of religious
architecture with the neoclassical style. There are three semi-circular
conches in the interior, one in the sanctuary and two on the sides,
whereas arcades with columns separate the aisles. The church was
opened in 1850 in a half-finished state and was completed in 1892
when its decoration works were finished.
Between Aiolu and Athinas streets, near Vlachava street
Monastiraki – Omonia
For
typical words, please consult our Greek
glossary.