Introduction
Athens is not as famous for its Byzantine architecture as Istanbul or Thessaloniki. It has, however, a number of cute churches from the Middle Byzantine period, mostly from the 11th century. The most important of them is the Daphni Monastery in Chaidari, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the compilation of these portfolios, my main sources were the following websites: Byzantine Monuments of Attica, The Byzantine Legacy, and Athens Info Guide.
Sites
My collection consists of photos of 13 Byzantine churches in the Greek capital. It does not include the Kaisariani Monastery and some lesser-known churches, but I consider it to be representative.
- Church of Panagia Pantanassa | Monastiraki Square | various datings between 7th and 12th centuries
- Monastery of Agioi Asomatoi Taxiarches (Petraki Monastery) | Ioannou Gennadiou 14, Ampelokipoi | 10th century, later additions
- Church of Agioi Apostoloi Solaki | Ancient Agora of Athens | late 10th century
- Church of Soteira Lykodemou | between Filellinon, Souri & Psilla | before 1031 or 1044; modified in 1850-1855
- Church of Agios Nikolaos Rangavas | between Pritaniou & Epicharmou, Plaka | first half of 11th century
- Church of Agioi Theodoroi | between Klafthmonos Square and Evripidou Street | before 1049 or 1065
- Church of Panagia Kapnikarea | Ermou | church – around 1050; chapel and exonarthex – third quarter of 11th century; porch – late 12th century
- Church of Agios Theodoros (Church of Agia Aikaterini) | between Lisikratous, Chairefontos, Gkoura & Galanou, Plaka | mid-11th century
- Church of Agioi Asomatoi | Agion Asomaton Square, Thiseio | middle or second half of 11th century
- Church of Metamorphosis Sotiros | Theorias & Klepsidras, Plaka | second half of 11th or early 12th century
- Church of Agios Ioannis Theologos | Erotokritou & Erechtheos, Plaka | late 11th or early 12th century
- Church of Panagia Gorgoepikoos (Church of Hagios Eleftherios; Little Metropolis) | Mitropoleos Square | late 12th or early 13th century, with marble spolia from various periods
- Daphni Monastery | at the end of Iera Odos, Chaidari | church – around 1080; mosaics – around 1100; exonarthex – early 12th century; porch – early 13th century
Map
See the mentioned sites on the map.
Portfolio 1: City Center
Portfolio 2: Daphni Monastery
Photos
Taken in April 2018 and in September and October 2025