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Agia Eirene

 

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.

Location map Between Aiolu and Athinas streets, near Vlachava street
Nearest metro station Monastiraki – Omonia
For typical words, please consult our Greek glossar
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  WHAT TO SEE IN ATHENS
  CHURCHES IN ATHENS
  AGIA IRINI

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