Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea, Athens
Stading at the heart of modern-day Athens, right in the high-traffic shopping area of Ermou Street, this charming Byzantine church, believed to have been constructed around 1050, is one of the city's oldest. Following a common pattern among early Christian structures, it sits atop an ancient Greek temple dedicated to a deity, possibly Athena (the protector of Athens) or Demeter (goddess of the harvest).
When King Otto I of Greece enlisted the Bavarian architect Leo von Klenze to design the new city layout of Athens, there was a consideration to demolish the church. Fortunately, King Ludwig I of Bavaria, a prominent supporter of the arts in Europe, stepped in to safeguard its grandeur, and the fact that it appears somewhat out of place only enhances its charm.
Kapnikarea is now regarded as one of Athens' most significant churches, consisting of a complex of three sections. The primary church on the southern side is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with a colonnaded porch dating back to the 12th century. The chapel in the northern section is dedicated to Agia Varvara (or Saint Barbara), while an exonarthex was added on the western side.
The church's exterior showcases a splendid mosaic from 1936 depicting the Virgin Mary holding Jesus, crafted by Greek mosaicist Elli Voila. Inside, the walls are adorned with paintings influenced by the Byzantine tradition, created by a hagiography school, while the paintings in the vaulted narthex and the exo-narthex date back to 1900, with the exact artist remaining unknown.
Note that the church's opening hours can be irregular, but if it happens to be open, it's certainly worth stopping by.
When King Otto I of Greece enlisted the Bavarian architect Leo von Klenze to design the new city layout of Athens, there was a consideration to demolish the church. Fortunately, King Ludwig I of Bavaria, a prominent supporter of the arts in Europe, stepped in to safeguard its grandeur, and the fact that it appears somewhat out of place only enhances its charm.
Kapnikarea is now regarded as one of Athens' most significant churches, consisting of a complex of three sections. The primary church on the southern side is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with a colonnaded porch dating back to the 12th century. The chapel in the northern section is dedicated to Agia Varvara (or Saint Barbara), while an exonarthex was added on the western side.
The church's exterior showcases a splendid mosaic from 1936 depicting the Virgin Mary holding Jesus, crafted by Greek mosaicist Elli Voila. Inside, the walls are adorned with paintings influenced by the Byzantine tradition, created by a hagiography school, while the paintings in the vaulted narthex and the exo-narthex date back to 1900, with the exact artist remaining unknown.
Note that the church's opening hours can be irregular, but if it happens to be open, it's certainly worth stopping by.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Athens. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea on Map
Sight Name: Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Athens, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Athens
Creating your own self-guided walk in Athens is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Athens Food Walking Tour
Traditional Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world, and prices in all but the flashiest establishments afford excellent value. The prevalence of vegetable and dairy dishes makes eating out a delight for non-meat eaters. Carefully selected appetizers (tzatz铆ki, dolm谩des, kalamar谩kia) can constitute a full meal. Greece鈥檚 most famous slow-cooked oven dish, however, is probably... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Athens Introduction Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Plaka Attractions Walking Tour
In the shadow of the Acropolis stands Plaka, the most picturesque and oldest district of Athens, with continuous habitation from antiquity until today. The 鈥渘eighborhood of the Gods鈥�, as it is called, is like a romantic, atmospheric trip to old Athens adorned with antiquities, historic 19th-century buildings, museums and Byzantine churches.
From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Walking Around the National Garden
The National Garden is an impressive, historic park in the center of Athens, complete with artificial streams and duck ponds. Formerly known as the Royal Garden, it was commissioned by King Otto鈥檚 queen, Amalia, in 1838, reason why it is located directly behind the Old Palace (currently the Greek Parliament building). Not only is it a welcome refuge from the swirl of traffic just outside the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Walking Tour Around the Legendary Acropolis
Also called "the sacred rock", the Acropolis was home to temples and sanctuaries throughout recorded history, and is a symbol of the city of Athens. Its religious importance was paramount to the ancient Greeks, and the buildings on the summit still capture the essence of their classical architecture. You can see the temples from most parts of the city, which adds to the feeling that this... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
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