The most complete
information guide about Athens, Greece
Churches in Athens
Tetraconch-Megali Panagia
The remains of what is believed to be the oldest Christian Church
in Athens, are situated in the garden of Hadrian’s Library.
This is the Tetraconch, a marble central plan church founded in
the 5th century. Parts of the foundations and the lower walls
as well as remains of the mosaic floor can still be seen.
The
church used to consist of a central square room with four conches
that were accentuated by interior colonnades, an interior corridor
that surrounded the room and a large narthex and atrium on the
western side. The walls were covered by a marble revetment and
the floors were decorated with mosaics.
The
fact that the church was founded in the administrative centre
of the city, its difference from the basilicas constructed in
Athens during the same period and the use of expensive materials,
indicate that the church was in fact an imperial building. The
founder of the church was probably either Herculius, governor
of Illyriko (408-12) or the Athenian Empress Eudocia (423-460),
also known as Athenais, daughter of the philosopher Leontios and
wife of Theodorius II.
The
Tetraconch was possibly abandoned during the Slav invasion (582)
and was replaced during the 7th century by the large three-aisled
basilica that was built over the central building of Hadrian’s
Library. The eastern apse and part of the colonnade of this building
can still be seen.
In
the 11th century, the basilica was replaced by an aisle-less domed
cross-shaped church known as Megali Panagia (Great Virgin Mary).
It is believed that the church’s name originated from the
fact that the oldest icon of Saint Mary painted by Saint Luke
was kept there.
The
church’s architectural form and decorations are known mostly
through the drawings of the traveler Couchaud. The monument used
to have a chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity and was demolished
during the excavations following the 1885 fire that destroyed
the Roman Agora.
Roman Agora
Monastiraki
For
typical words, please consult our Greek
glossary.