The most complete
information guide about Athens, Greece
Churches in Athens
Panagia Chrissospiliotissa (Virgin
Mary Chrissospliotissa)
This church is situated between Aiolou and Chrissospiliotissis
streets. The ornate church is a sample of the eclectic (combining
elements from various periods and styles of church-building) style
that was dominant in Greece during in the 19th century. It is
an impressive two-storey building with two bell towers on each
side of the narthex.
The
older Byzantine church that occupied this site was ruined during
the Greek War of Independence in 1835. Preparations for the construction
of a larger church began in 1846. However, due to various difficulties
and bureaucracy, the works only began in 1863. Dimitrios Zezos
designed the church successfully combining the Byzantine style
with ancient Greek elements. Zezos died before the foundations
of the new church had been laid and Panagis Kalkos took over the
supervision of the project.
Legend
says that when the Turks entered the Acropolis, women and children
threw themselves down from the cliffs so as not to be captured.
The miraculous icon of Panagia (Virgin Mary) saved them all. Since
then the church has been a refuge for women and children in peril.
between Aiolou and Chrissospiliotissis
streets – Anafiotika
Monastiraki – Acropoli
For
typical words, please consult our Greek
glossary.