The most complete information guide about Athens, Greece
Churches
in Athens
Agia Ekaterini (Saint
Catherine)
At
the junction of Chairefontos, Lysicratous, Galanou and Goura streets
in Plaka, you’ll find the church of Saint Catherine. The
original building dates back to the second quarter of the 11th
century. It was dedicated to Saint Theodoros. However, in 1767,
it became the metochion, a parish church, of the Sinaï Monastery
and was re-dedicated to Saint Catherine.
The
church was built on the site of an older, early Christian, basilica
and one can still see the remains, a small part of the atrium
(column and architrave), of that church in the cloister.
The
church is of the complex tetrastyle, cross-in-square architectural
type. The original façade and interior were later altered
by various repairs and additions. The three semi-circular apses
on the eastern side indicate the church’s age. The cloisonné
style used in the construction, gives some clues as to the masonry
of the original building. The cross-shaped roofing of the building
is significant as well as the brick pattern decoration which can
also be used to date the monument.
Once
the church became a parish of the Sinaï Monastery, people
from Sinaï began to form a community around the church. Travelers
who visited the church in the 19th century mentioned that it was
almost deserted. In 1882 Saint Catherine once again became a parish
church in response to public demand. Repair work and extensions
also took place at this time while the dome was last repaired
in 1927.
Since
1922 refugees from Asia Minor have kept the relics of a number
of their local saints in the church. The building stands in the
middle of a small palm tree shaded square in the corner of which
you can see the ruins of a Roman monument.
Chairefontos, Lysicratous, Galanou and Goura streets - Plaka
Acropoli
For
typical words, please consult our Greek
glossary.