The Metamorphosis, Sotira Kottaki Church

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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Information
Address: Kydathineon, Plaka
Area: Athens

Transportation: Metro Red Line (2): Acropoli Station

More Churches & Monasteries

Petraki Monastery

North Suburbs, Penteli

The church of the Saints Asomatoi, is located near the Evangelismos Hospital, within the complex housing the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece....

Saint Paul’s Anglican Church

Athens

Located at the end of Filellinon Street, this neo-Gothic Anglican church was built in the early 1840s of Hymettus marble and limestone brought in from the Corinth Canal....

Print Friendly, PDF & Email