A RECENTLY RESTORED MONUMENT IN THESSALONIKI!

By ByzEtGl, independent tour guide in Greece

A very historical monument of Thessaloniki has been recently restored! The upper walls of the church of St. Athanasius the Great have been painted with light blue, which was the initial colour of this old church. The roof has been painted with olive and the lower walls have been painted again with white, as they were covered by soot. The most important work was the cleaning of the medals of the central aisle above the columns. These circular icons depict 10 prophets. They are masterpieces of the 19th century church painting, which is characterized by the combination of many intense colours and generally by a folklore style. The upper level of the iconostasis along with the icons has been cleaned too. The dazzling church of St. Athanasius the Great, totally reconstructed in 1818 after a fire in 1817, preserves also three byzantine icons of the 14th century and waits for visitors, who can join a totally FREE guided tour of the monument every Wednesday (July-September, every year) at 10:00 am in English! I explain the history of the church, the parts of an orthodox church building, our church art and the various symbolisms! Everyone who wants a tour on an other day can contact me! And for those who cannot attend a guided tour there are little brochures explaining the history of the church! You can find them on the left of the entrance of the main church.
 

 


 

About ByzEtGl, independent tour guide in GR.

I organize FREE (without expecting absolutely any tip) guided tours in one of the most historical churches of Thessaloniki, the church of St. Athanasius the Great (July-September, every Wednesday at 10:00 am in English)! The church is located in the city center (87 Egnatias str.). I explain its history, the parts of an orthodox church building, our church art and the various symbolisms. EVERYONE WHO WANTS A TOUR OF THE CHURCH ON AN OTHER DAY CAN CONTACT ME!
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