The most complete information guide about Athens, Greece
Churches
in Athens
Agii Assomati (Saints
Assomati)
The small church of Saints Asomati dates back to the second half
of the 11the century. During the 1960’s it was restored
almost to its original state by eliminating the various additions
that had been made in the course of the years.
With
its characteristic four-columned, domed, cross-in-square form,
the church of Assomati is typical for Athenian Byzantine churches
of this period. The exterior is of sculpted stone surrounded by
bricks. Typical characteristics of the period are the large stones
on the lower parts of the side walls placed cross-shaped as well
as the brick dentils on the sides of the building.
There
are also two ceramic plates with decorations on the western wall.
They probably formed part of a larger frieze, similar to the one
of the Church of Saint Theodori on Klathmonos Square. These decorative
elements imitate the old Arabic writing in which the Koran was
first written in the city of Kufa, in present-day Iraq.
Above
the northern entrance of the church, there is a horseshoe-shaped
arch inspired by Islamic architecture. Islamic influences can
actually be traced in various Byzantine artifacts such as textiles,
sculptures and small ornaments. These influences come from the
trend to imitate oriental decorative elements and they are related
to the presence of a small Arab community in the city, mostly
merchants and manufactures, towards the end of the 10th century.
Ermou street
Thissio
For
typical words, please consult our Greek
glossary.