KAPNIKAREA

The church of Kapnikarea is located on Ermou Street, between the squares of Syntagma and Monastiraki.

Kapnikarea was built in the 11th Century on the ruins of another church.

This may explain the fact that the dome is held by four Roman pillars. In 1834, it was planned to be demolished, but with the timely intervention of King Ludwig I of Bavaria the demolition was avoided.

The church was renovated during the decade of 1950 by the University of Athens.

During the renovation, the artist Fotis Kontoglou (1895-1965) created the majority of the icons that decorate the church, among them is one of the Virgin with the Child.

THE ADDRESS

Church of Kapnikarea
Ermou & Kapnikareas
10556 Athens (Greece)
Tel. +30 210 - 3224462

HOW TO GET THERE

BY FOOT: Just a 5 minute walk down Ermou Street, from Syntagma Square, Kapnikarea Square is easily spotted. From Monastiraki Square, going up Ermou Street, Kapnikarea is only 3 minutes away.

Shopping

SHOPPING CENTER PLAKA
A terrific one-stop shop for all your souvenir needs.... more
ANTIQUA
Established by the Yannoukos family in 1952, Antiqua has a sterling reputation amongst experts and lovers of art. The client... more
ARGALIOS
Take home folk art like Byzantine icons as lovely and spiritual keepsakes of Greece.... more
ROYAL ORIENTAL CARPET
Make a treasure hunt out of it and discover this basement store in the most ancient area of the city... more
CHATZIS
One of the most famous patisseries from Thessaloniki finally made its way down to Athens to give you a taste... more
COMPENDIUM BOOKSHOP
The shop sells anything from new and used, fiction and nonfiction books in English, mainly to ex-patriots – who seem... more