Metropolitan church of Panagia Spilaeotissa, Eastern Orthodox metropolitan church in Corfu, Greece.
The Metropolitan Church of Panagia Spilaeotissa is an Orthodox house of worship in Corfu Town with traditional Byzantine design and a dome that shapes the skyline. Inside you find gilded icon stands, wall paintings, and a carefully crafted altar area that transforms the space into a place of reverence.
This place of worship was founded in 1577 and has served since then as the central cathedral for the metropolitan region covering Corfu and nearby islands. Over the centuries it has remained the spiritual center for the Orthodox community across the territory.
The name references a cave where local tradition holds that the Mother of God appeared, connecting this place to beliefs held by the community for generations. You can see this devotion expressed through the candles and icons that worshippers light throughout the day.
The church sits in Corfu's old town and is easy to reach on foot; entry is available to visitors during certain hours. Appropriate dress is expected, and it matters to respect the services and prayers that believers are conducting.
The building holds protected heritage status in Greece, underlining its importance to the nation's cultural inheritance. This recognition means that any changes or maintenance must follow strict rules designed to preserve the original structure.
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