Commonly known as the Metamorphosis, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour is located on Kydathineon Street in Plaka, the old Alikokou neighbourhood of Athens. The church is also called Sotira tou Kottaki, after the Athenian family who once owned it.
Dating to the early 11th century, this four-aisled, cross-in-square Byzantine church has undergone many aesthetically questionable renovations over the years, greatly detracting from its Byzantine appearance.
Originally dedicated to Virgin Mary the Saviour, it functioned as a Russian church from 1847 until 1855. While frescoes from the 18th century can still be seen in the church, its invaluable Byzantine-era frescoes have been lost.
The church still possesses some truly remarkable icons, such as a Virgin Mary dating from the 14th century and other rare religious artefacts.
Image source: https://religiousgreece.gr/en/attractions/church-metamorphosis-sotiros-sotera-kottakis
More Churches & Monasteries
Penteli Monastery
North Suburbs, PenteliFounded in 1578 by bishop Evripos Timotheos, a local saint of Attica, the all-male Penteli Monastery was built amid the lush greenery at the foot of Mount Penteli....
Evangelical Church
AthensBuilt in 1871, the Evangelical Church of Athens is located opposite the Columns of Olympian Zeus at the intersection of Lyssikratous Street and Amalias Avenue....
Panagia Gorgoepikoos
AthensThe 12th-century church of the Virgin Mary Gorgoepikoos is also known to Athenians as Agios Eleftherios, or the small cathedral....
St. Nektarios Monastery
AeginaDuring the first decade of the 20th Century, Nektarios, bishop of Pentapolis, came to Aegina to become a monk....
Omorfoklissia (St. George)
AthensOn Veikou Street in Galatsi stands the elegant Church of St. George, widely known as Omorfoklissia, or ‘the beautiful church’...
Theotokos Kecharitomeni Monastery
PorosA short distance south-east of the village of Troezen lies the Theotokos Kecharitomene Monastery....