Panagia Episkopi, Byzantine church in Episkopi Gonias, Greece
Panagia Episkopi is a Byzantine church with a cross-shaped floor plan and beige-washed walls located in the northern foothills of Mount Profitis Ilias. The building features red roof tiles and maintains its characteristic medieval appearance with several interior decorative elements still preserved.
The church was built at the end of the 11th century under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos, replacing an earlier place of worship that stood on the same site. This reconstruction marked an important moment in the region's religious development during the middle Byzantine period.
The church displays frescoes showing Christian saints and biblical scenes that reflect how the local community expressed its faith through religious art. These paintings remain visible today and help visitors understand the spiritual life of past generations.
The easiest way to reach the church is on foot from the surrounding northern hills, where it sits accessible among local trails. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and consider visiting in the morning when sunlight illuminates the rocky landscape gently.
The church survived a major fire in 1915 that destroyed many treasures, but some icons remained mysteriously unharmed according to local accounts. This event turned it into a symbol of resilience and faith for the surrounding communities.
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