Description of the attraction
The Church of Panagia Kapnikarea (Temple of Our Lady of Kapnikarea), or simply Kapnikarea, is a Greek Orthodox church and one of the oldest churches in Athens. It is located in the heart of modern Athens on Ermou Street, the busiest street in the historic city center.
At the beginning of the Byzantine period, Athens fell into decay and turned into a provincial city, losing its former grandeur and political influence. The famous Athenian schools of thought were closed, Christianity gradually supplanted paganism. It was during this period that the so-called small Byzantine churches appeared in Athens.
The Church of Panagia Kapnikarea was built in the 11th century on the ruins of an ancient temple that was dedicated to a woman goddess, possibly Athena or Demeter. The architectural structure is a cross-domed temple and consists of three interconnected parts. The first and largest part refers to 1050 and is dedicated to the introduction of the Virgin into the temple. The domed chapel was added later and dedicated to Saint Barbara. The outer vestibule was originally built as an open portico, but later converted into a small porch with two columns.
In 1834, when the construction of Ermou Street was still being planned, the existence of the temple was threatened. But thanks to the intercession of King Louis of Bavaria (father of King Otto), Capnicarea was not touched. In 1863, the bishop of Athens came to defend the church.
Since 1931, the city of Panagia Kapnikareya Church belongs to the University of Athens.
In the middle of the 20th century, the dome was reconstructed. The decoration of the temple by the famous modern Greek artist and icon painter Fotis Kondoglu also belongs to the same period. His most impressive work is "The Virgin and Child".
