Why does this church have such a unique name? It’s the Church of Panagia Chrysospiliotissa. We are standing before a testament to Athens’ layered history. This is a place where faith and art intertwine. It is located in the heart of the historic commercial district.
The Church of Panagia Chrysospiliotissa is also known as the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Its story began in 1705. A smaller church dedicated to the Virgin Mary was built then. This was during the Ottoman rule.
Later in 1826 the church faced destruction. It happened during the siege of the Acropolis. Kütahı’s forces caused inestimable damage. The church was repaired after the Greek state was established. It reopened in 1835. Soon it became too small for the growing number of worshippers. So in 1846 plans started for a larger church.
Spyros Pavlidis helped a lot with this. He owned a chocolate factory on Eolou Street. Pavlidis helped purchase land around the church. The foundations for the new church were laid in 1863. The construction finished in 1892. The costs were very high for that time. Faithful people mainly covered them through fundraising.
Dimitrios Zezos planned the new church. He was famous for introducing the “Greek-Byzantine” architectural style. Zezos died before the construction started. So Panagis Kalkos and Ernst Ziller took over. Ziller is thought to have designed the screen. Dimitrios Soutsos designed the dome. He was the mayor of Athens.
The icon of the Virgin Mary was moved from the old church. It was named Chrysospileotissa. This icon is a copy from the Monastery of the Big Cave of Mount Athos. It is made of wax-mastic. This icon gave the church its nickname.
Zezos designed a church combining Byzantine and ancient Greek elements. Panagis Kalkos added neoclassical touches. The building combines Byzantine masonry with neoclassical decorations. Ernest Ziller changed the dome’s plans. Parish commissioners wanted Zezos’s original dome. Ziller resigned because of this. Dimitrios Soutsos completed the dome. Some think the dome does not match the rest of the church.
The Church of Panagia Chrysospiliotissa has marble bell towers. The northern one was added in 1888. The southern one was added in 1892.
Inside is a carved marble templon that Ziller designed. The templon has an eclectic style. The central part is elevated. The church’s interior feels dark. The dark murals add to this feeling.
The conch of the sanctuary features Virgin Mary Platytera. Karousos signed the depiction in 1971. The dome shows Christ Pantokrator. The ornamentation was done by Vasilios Kottas and Antonios Pettas. Blue starry sky covers the apses.
Visiting the Church of Panagia Chrysospiliotissa is more than sightseeing. It is a journey through time. It showcases Athens’ resilience. The church remains a symbol of faith. It reflects the city’s artistic soul. The church celebrates on August 15th.