Visit the Church of the Holy Apostles While in Athens
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Athens is one of the most popular places to visit in all of Greece. People flock here from all over the world to capture some of the magic that this city has to offer. There are nearby beaches, great places to shop, excellent restaurants, and plenty of historical sites to keep you busy. In fact, you can spend weeks here and never really run out of things to do. While here, it is also possible to visit some historical churches, like the Church of the Holy Apostles. Here’s more information:
For many, an ideal trip in Europe is rich with history and breathtaking in beauty. If this describes you, the Church of the Holy Apostles in Athens, Greece is unmissable.
Located in the Ancient Agora
Ancient Greek culture centered around the agora, a community meeting-place for business, spirituality, art, sports, debate, and more. The centrality of Ancient Greece in the formation of Western culture is well-documented, and therefore, truly appreciating European and American culture means examining its origin: the agora, where Greek culture was developed.
The Ancient Agora of Athens is the most famous agora and is also a dynamic time capsule of early Greece, as numerous monuments were added over time. It is also here that the Church of the Holy Apostles was constructed and remains today. A visit to this spectacular Church will put you right in the center of one of the most important locations in European history.
Information About the Church
The Church of the Holy Apostles, in fact, is one of the only two monuments in the Ancient Agora of Athens to have remained intact, the other being the even older Temple of Hephaestus. Having been constructed in the 10th Century C.E., the Church is not only a beautiful example of pre-Reformation diversity within Christianity, but was also the first significant Athenian church of the middle Byzantine period. It is thus a landmark construction in one of the great European artistic traditions. With an altar and floor made of marble and a dome supported by strong pillars, the Church of the Holy Apostles is, all at once, both quintessentially Greek and Christian; both simple and stunning; and both ancient and enduring.
Over the years, new art was installed in the Church. Today, gorgeous wall paintings dating to the 17th century remain. In addition to being a monument to many periods of time, however, the Church is also a monument to many places, as it was decorated with additional paintings from various surrounding churches.
Mystery Surrounding the Church
Based on what we know about this Church, calling it an important historical site is an understatement. But there is also much that we do not know. The Church is home both to great knowledge and to great mysteries. For example, we do not know why the Church is also known as Holy Apostles of Solaki, possibly referring either to the surrounding population or to a family that commissioned the Church’s renovation. We do not know why the Church was constructed in the middle of an ancient agora. And of course, we do not know the stories of the many people who visited the church—who they were, how they had come, and what they hoped to find. This is a place of truly entrancing mystique.
Whether you live in Europe, have visited before, or are coming for the first time, this is a site worth visiting. While in Athens, you won’t want to miss it!
Categorized in: About Athens, Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
