Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Very interesting church in the centre of everything. This is church has paintings on the inside. Give this church a visit if you’re in the area as it is a great point of different in comparison to the church’s in Italy.

Interesting little church in a nice area for shopping or exploring. Seeing the old church next to all of the modern buildings is an interesting juxtaposition, and the church is surprisingly unique/beautiful for its size and inconspicuous nature. The ceiling above the entry is beautifully painted, and the lack of artificial light inside really adds to the ambience of antiquity. Worth checking out (entry is free) if you are in the area, but I wouldn’t make a special trip.

An interesting place to pay attention for, while walking around in Athens. It's a compact little in-between the buildings, quite old and iconic church.

Nice place in the middle of the busy district. Interesting stories, architecture, construction and of course people watching.

As you walk along the bustling pedestrian street of Ermou Street, from the direction of Syntagma Square, you arrive after a walk of about 400 meters to a small picturesque church, the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, known also as the temple of Kapnikarea. The church is located in the heart of a small square ("Kapnikarea Square"), just 600 meters from the Acropolis Hill, which perhaps illustrates more than anything, the historical depth of this charming city. The church, built in the 11th century AD (around 1050), is one of the most preserved and beautiful buildings from the Byzantine period of Athens and is without a doubt, a monument of very important historical value! It is open to the general public (unfortunately, the photography is not allowable inside), and it is definitely a great opportunity to enter inside and feel the sound of the history and the sanctity of this inspiring place!

Small ancient church located in the middle of Athens busy town square. It’s a cute church filled with paintings and relics. It’s a start to have a glimpse of how the Greeks worship in the past.

Beautiful Greek Orthodox Church, one of the oldest in Athens. Built around the year 1050, it built over the site of an ancient Greek temple. The church may have originally been the katholikon of a monastery. Presently, the building is formed by a complex of three different units attached together; these units were built in succession: a) the largest south church dedicated to the Presentation of Mary to the Temple, b) the chapel of St Barbara on the northern side; and c) the exonarthex with the propylon to the west.

Amazing place and history. One of the most important Byzantine monuments in Athens is in the middle of Ermou street. The church is dedicated to Saint Mary but it is better known as Kapnikarea. It is a complex tetrastyle cross-in-square church that dates back to 1050.

Very interesting church in the centre of everything. This is church has paintings on the inside. Give this church a visit if you’re in the area as it is a great point of different in comparison to the church’s in Italy.

Interesting little church in a nice area for shopping or exploring. Seeing the old church next to all of the modern buildings is an interesting juxtaposition, and the church is surprisingly unique/beautiful for its size and inconspicuous nature. The ceiling above the entry is beautifully painted, and the lack of artificial light inside really adds to the ambience of antiquity. Worth checking out (entry is free) if you are in the area, but I wouldn’t make a special trip.

An interesting place to pay attention for, while walking around in Athens. It's a compact little in-between the buildings, quite old and iconic church.

Nice place in the middle of the busy district. Interesting stories, architecture, construction and of course people watching.

As you walk along the bustling pedestrian street of Ermou Street, from the direction of Syntagma Square, you arrive after a walk of about 400 meters to a small picturesque church, the church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, known also as the temple of Kapnikarea. The church is located in the heart of a small square ("Kapnikarea Square"), just 600 meters from the Acropolis Hill, which perhaps illustrates more than anything, the historical depth of this charming city. The church, built in the 11th century AD (around 1050), is one of the most preserved and beautiful buildings from the Byzantine period of Athens and is without a doubt, a monument of very important historical value! It is open to the general public (unfortunately, the photography is not allowable inside), and it is definitely a great opportunity to enter inside and feel the sound of the history and the sanctity of this inspiring place!

Small ancient church located in the middle of Athens busy town square. It’s a cute church filled with paintings and relics. It’s a start to have a glimpse of how the Greeks worship in the past.

Beautiful Greek Orthodox Church, one of the oldest in Athens. Built around the year 1050, it built over the site of an ancient Greek temple. The church may have originally been the katholikon of a monastery. Presently, the building is formed by a complex of three different units attached together; these units were built in succession: a) the largest south church dedicated to the Presentation of Mary to the Temple, b) the chapel of St Barbara on the northern side; and c) the exonarthex with the propylon to the west.

Amazing place and history. One of the most important Byzantine monuments in Athens is in the middle of Ermou street. The church is dedicated to Saint Mary but it is better known as Kapnikarea. It is a complex tetrastyle cross-in-square church that dates back to 1050.