Accommodations
in
Athens
BYZANTINE
Athens. The 11 th and the 12th centuries are said to be the
Golden Age of Athens' Byzantine art. Almost all of the dozen
most famous
and important Byzantine churches in Athens, were built during
these two centuries, and owe their origins to the Christian
restoration that followed the campaigns of Emperor Basil
II in the Balkans.
Some of the best known monasteries were also founded in the
same period in the environs of Athens.
KAPNIKAREA
Ermou Street This is the little church you will see right in
the middle of Ermou Street. A Byzantine cruciform, domed church
dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary (Eisodia fis
-Theotokou). The initial building belongs to the 11th century,
but it was completed in the 13th. Since 1931 it has belonged
to the University of Athens. In old days the church had several
names: Camoucharea, Chryssocamouchariotissa, Panayia tis Vasilopoulas
(Virgin of the King's daughter), Panayia tau Prenza (Virgin of
the Prince). In 1834, when Ermou Street was constructed, there
was some thought of transferring the church elsewhere, even of
demolishing it, because it stood in the way. It was saved by
Ludwig of Bavaria, King Otto's father, and Neofytos Metaxas,
bishop of Talantion and Vicar of Athens.
A YIOI APOSTOLOI TOU
SOLAKI
The church is located within the excavation area at the Ancient
Agora. It is one of the oldest (AD 1000-1025) churches of Athens,
and it was built above the ruins of a Roman nymphaeon at the
2nd century. In the 1950s it was restored to its original form.
Several post Byzantine frescos of the demolished church of
Ayios Spyridon were transferred here at the time.
