Dedicated to the Annunciation of the Mother of God, the three-aisled, domed basilica of the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral sits a short distance from Syntagma Square. Constructed between 1842 and 1862, the church enjoyed the participation of many prominent architects, including Hansen, Zezos, Boulanger and Kalkos.
The decorative aspects are no less impressive, incorporating pieces from derelict Byzantine churches and churches razed for archaeological reasons. The Cathedral also houses marble shrines containing the holy relics of Agia Filothei and the Patriarch Gregorius V.
Since opening, the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral has hosted a number of significant ceremonies, from royal weddings to funerals of important political and social figures. After the massive earthquake that shook Athens in 1999, the Cathedral began a series of maintenance and restoration projects. Services are temporarily being held in the Church of St. Dionysius, in Kolonaki.
More Churches & Monasteries
Agios Ioannis Theologos Monastery
North Suburbs, PapagouThe Agios Ioannis Theologos Monastery lies on the western slope of Mount Hymettus, just above the Papagos cemetery....
Church of Saints Constantine and Eleni
Glyfada, South SuburbsDedicated to Saints Constantine and Helen, the Cathedral of Glyfada is located near the old City Hall....
Panagia Grigoroussa
AthensBuilt sometime in the 11th or 12th century, the original structure of this church was almost entirely destroyed during the Revolution of 1821....
Agioi Theodoroi
AthensConsidered one of the most important Byzantine monuments in Athens, the church of Agioi Theodoroi is located on Evripidou Street in Klafthmonos Square....
Alimos Basilica
Alimos, South SuburbsThis sixth-century Christian basilica sits inside the grounds of the Zoodochos Pigi church....
St. Marina Church (Thission)
AthensConstructed between 1924 and 1927 on Observatory Hill in Thission, the Holy Church of Agia Marina was based on plans by Achilles Georgiadis....