Location: Athens
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The 10 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Athens, Attica
Once known for smog, traffic and tacky architecture, Athens is a city reformed thanks to fortunes brought by the 2004 Summer Olympics. Spotless parks and streets, an ultra-modern subway, new freeways, an accessible airport and all signs in perfect English make the city easily negotiable. Meriting more than a stopover en route to the islands, sophisticated Athens sites include many pillars of Western history, from the Acropolis to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, as well as treasures in the National Archaeological Museum.
Restaurants in Athens
1. Agia Kyriaki
2. Chapel of St. George
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
A lovely 19th century Greek Orthodox Church.
Reviewed By permia
There are a number of marvellous aspects to atop Mount Lycabettus and this Chapel is one. Seeing it on a Sunday afternoon framed against the deep azure of the sky, we though it looked its best. Stepping to the interior is to admire a proliferation of frescoes and icons. All silver St. George on his horse slaying the dragon is dramatic. A fine iconostasis separates the holy sanctum from the worshippers. The dome was infused with light, adding a celestial feel.
3. The Monastery of Daphni
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
One of the greatest masterpieces of the Byzantine Empire, this 11th century masterpiece is currently being refurbished, so phone ahead to check if it’s open.
Reviewed By permia
Following online guidance, early Saturday morning we went to Ika Bus Stop expecting to take No A16 to the Monastery, but it was either changed or discontinued. A local kindly advised crossing the square for another bus, but again no success. Eventually took a taxi for a few € arriving before 8am opening time. We had the holy complex to ourselves, in the glorious sunshine. Its evocative history dates as far back to the 6th century with its moniker deriving from the laurels growing there. It has tremendous architectural features with impressive stone and brick work. It was great walking around the grand cloisters. Ruins of the expansive Scriptorium are to be seen, the size reflecting the importance of writing and manuscripts. Mosaic wise it is fabulous. What is extant following restoration is delightful. Christ Pantokrator is remarkable in its clarity. The Transfiguration is still radiant portraying Elijah and Moses on either side of Christ with Apostles James, Peter and John at his feet.
4. Agios Dionysios Areopagitis Catholic Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By permia
In a Boulevard of marvellous buildings, this place of worship is magnificent. A Neo-Renaissance façade in gorgeous hued marble comprises an array of columns and arches atop a series of steps in the same stone. Inside is beautiful. From the entrance is an awe-inspiring vision of columns and arches leading to the high altar. This is crowned with a glorious semi-dome which is resplendent with a frescoed Apotheosis of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite. Throughout, holy images in paintings and sculpture are splendid. One in particular shows Christ Pantocrator with the bible in one hand.
5. Temple of Hephaestus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,517 reviews
This ancient Greek temple, located on the Acropolis and dedicated to Hephaistos, god of the forge, is one of the few temples to be almost entirely preserved.
Reviewed By John_The_Miner - Salisbury, United Kingdom
Located within the Ancient Agora area and opposite the Stoa of Attalos, the Temple of Hephaestus and Athena is beautifully located on a hill with great views of the Acropolis and the Stoa. The frieze around the edge of the temple is rather difficult to make out but it depicts the deeds of Theseus and Herakles
6. Agios Dionysios Areopagitis Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By permia
Some of the most renowned and accomplished artists worked on ornamenting this marvellous church. It is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Athens who heard St. Paul preach in the Areopagus and was baptised in 52 CE. Subsequently he became the first Bishop of Athens. Walking along Skoufa it presents a majestic profile. It was built in less than a decade, being unveiled in 1931. The interior is embellished with exquisite icons, frescoes and mosaics. One of the latter portrays against a golden background a Saint with illuminated halo in gold who’s holding a holy book in his right hand. An expansive space has a tremendous iconostasis with gorgeous artistic work and the saintly panoply.
7. Church of Saint Isidore
8. Church of Agios Nikolaos
9. Agios Ioannis tis Kolonas
10. Church of the Holy Apostles
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 87 reviews
A stately 11th century church decorated with a series of 17th century frescoes.
Reviewed By JLC-mtl2015 - Montreal, Canada
You must purchase your access to Ancient Agora to reach this building. Only a few building are still standing on the premise of the Ancient Agora. This one is one of them and you can also step in to look at the walls that was restored in 1956. It is a small, distinctive 11th century church among larger structure on the site. However, today, you get a better idea of the cachet of this historical building due to the restoration work. There are many beautiful churches in Athens, we can’t stop at each of them. While we were on the Ancient Agora site, we opted to look inside and we were not disappointed. We took the combo ticket that allowed us to visit this site along others: Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Acropolis. If you already have your ticket, skip the line.
