Church of the Holy Apostles

The Church of the Holy Apostles is a Byzantine place of worship in the Ancient Agora with a central dome supported by four columns. The structure displays a cross-in-square design with semi-circular niches at the ends of each arm.

The building was constructed around 901 and stands on the foundations of a second-century nymphaeum. It marks the first major mid-Byzantine church in Athens and shows the start of a distinctive local architectural style.

The exterior walls display intricate tile decorations with geometric patterns, while the interior preserves wall paintings from the 1600s. These artistic details reflect the creative traditions that shaped the place across centuries.

Access happens during the Ancient Agora site hours, where this sanctuary is part of the larger archaeological area. Visitors can view the structure from different angles and observe the Byzantine building techniques used in its construction.

The building combines a central plan with a cross-in-square pattern, a design that appeared in other Athenian churches later on. This blend of two layout approaches was rare and forward-thinking for its time.

Location: Athens Municipality

Inception: 10 century

Architectural style: Byzantine architecture

GPS coordinates: 37.97400,23.72390

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:59