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
Agios Nikolaos Lemonion Monastery
SalaminaBuilt on the pine-covered slopes of Mount Stavros in Salamina, the Monastery of St. Nikolaos Lemonion stands next to a small, 10th-century church...
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....
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....
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....
St. George Lycabettus
AthensThis single-aisle, domed basilica perched atop Lycabettus Hill was built in the late 18th century....
