Location: Ermou and Kalamiotou, Monastiraki, Athens
Tel.
210 322 4462
Subway: Monastiraki
Open: 8am- 2pm Mon, Wed
8am- 12:30pm and 5-7pm Tue, Thu, Fri
8- 11:30am Sun
Closed: public holidays
Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea (Saint Mary Church) is a medieval
Byzantine Church near Monastiraki. Church of Panaghia Kapnikarea
(Saint Mary Church) was constructed in the middle of the 11th
century on a site of an older ancient Greek pagan temple that
was dedicated to Greek goddess, either Athena or Demeter. It was
probably part of a bigger monastery that is now lost to time.
The name Kapnikarea either comes from a last name of the sponsor
or named after "Kapnikon" a type of Byzantine tax that could be
used to construct the church.
The building was badly damaged, looted by the Turkish troops in
the early 19th century. The church was miracoulously saved after
the Greek War of Independence. First it was prevented by king
Ludwig of Bavaria, king Otto's father and then again it was
saved from demolishing in 1863 by direct intervention from the
Bishop of Athens.
Its architectural rhythm is a complex tetragonal cruciform inscribed.
It is said to have been built on the site of an older church that had
been erected by Aelia Eudokia, the Athenian wife of Emperor Theodosius
the Younger. The original church had in turn been built (as was
customary) on the foundations of an ancient Greek temple, dedicated to a
female deity, most likely Athena or Demeter. Built-in building elements
such as columns and built-in sculptures and inscriptions are found in
the temple. The building elements in question are parts of the temple of
Athena or Demeter[3] that was located at the site, which was destroyed
and Kapnikarea was built from its pieces.
A chapel with a dome
has been added to the north side of the church, in memory of Saint
Barbara.
The name of the church and historical information
The
name of the church is considered to come from the one who built it, who
collected a property tax, for each of their chimneys, in the Byzantine
years, the tobacco tax. Earlier it had the name Kamoucharea, from the
name of the gold woven fabrics (kamouchas) which were probably made in
workshops in the area.
During the Turkish occupation, it was
called the church of Vassilopoulas and Prendza. In 1834 there was a plan
to demolish the church which was not carried out due to the intervention
of Louis of Bavaria, Otto's father.
Fotis Kontoglou (well-known Greek painter of the 20th century) has painted the icon of Platytera in the Sanctuary of the Temple.