Description of the attraction
One of the most popular tourist centers of Athens is undoubtedly the oldest district of the city, Plaka, located at the foot of the famous Acropolis. This is an incredibly colorful place with labyrinths of narrow cobbled streets, old neoclassical mansions, an abundance of souvenir shops and cozy cafes, many museums and beautiful temples.
Among the most popular and interesting sights of Plaka, it is worth noting one of the many cross-domed churches in Athens - the Russian Church of St. Nicodemus, also known as the Church of the Holy Trinity (or simply "Russian Church"). The church is located on a small cozy square near the parliament building at 21 Filellinon Street.
The Russian Church of St. Nicodemus is one of the largest medieval churches in Athens that has survived to this day. The church was founded back in 1030 by Stephen Likodim, who actually financed its construction, and was the main catholicon of the monastery located here. True, it is worth noting that the church, which was thoroughly damaged by earthquakes, as well as during the hostilities, received its modern appearance after it was acquired by the Russian Emperor Nicholas I in 1845, who allocated funds for its reconstruction. The famous German artist Ludwig Thirsch was commissioned to decorate the interior of the church. A huge impressive bell tower, located to the left of the church building, was erected a little later by the decree of the next emperor of the Russian Empire - Alexander II.
In the course of archaeological research, it was revealed that the church was built on the ruins of an early Christian temple, which, in turn, was erected on the ruins of Roman baths.
Today the Church of St. Nicodemus is an important historical and architectural monument of the Byzantine era and is under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church.
