Church of Pantokrator, Patras, Protected church building in Upper Town, Patras, Greece.
The Church of Pantokrator is a church building in the Upper Town of Patras topped with multiple copper domes and featuring a three-aisled basilica layout. The structure rises in the eastern section of the city and displays the architectural style of the 19th century.
The site once held an ancient temple dedicated to Zeus before converting to Christian worship around the 9th century. Later it served as a mosque under Ottoman rule until the current building was constructed in 1835.
The church is named after Christ Pantokrator, reflecting the Orthodox faith that visitors encounter throughout its interior spaces. The copper domes rise above the neighborhood and show how important this building remains to the community of Patras.
The building is easy to reach on foot in the Upper Town and can be admired from outside, though visiting the interior depends on when services are held. Keep in mind that this is an active place of worship and opening times may vary depending on religious events.
The lead coating of the dome was melted down and transformed into ammunition during the Greek War of Independence to fight against occupying forces. This shows how local people mobilized every available resource to fight for their freedom.
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