Mitrópoli (Cathedral), Athens
The Mitrópoli from the Acropolis. Photo © Peter Brubacher.
Facade of the Mitrópoli during restorations. Photo © Peter Brubacher.
An Orthodox monk enters the cathedral. Photo by Pierre Metivier.
Colorful ceiling of the Mitrópoli. Photo by Pierre Metivier.
Interior of the Mitrópoli. Photo by Guillermo González Díez.
The Mitrópoli (Cathedral) is an important Greek Orthodox cathedral and the largest church in Athens.
History
Construction on the Mitrópoli began on Christmas Day in 1842 with the laying of the cornerstone by King Otto and Queen Amalia.
Workers used marble from 72 demolished churches to build the Mitrópoli's immense walls. Three architects and 20 years later, it was complete. On May 21, 1862, the Mitrópoli was dedicated to the Evangelismós Theotókou (Annunciation of the Virgin) by the king and queen.
As a cathedral, the Mitrópoli is the seat of the Bishop of Athens. It remains a major city landmark and the site of important ceremonies like coronations of royals and weddings and funerals of the rich and famous.
What to See
The large Mitropoli measures 130 feet long, 65 feet wide, and 80 feet high. Inside are the tombs of two saints killed by the Ottoman Turks: Agía Filothéi and Patriarch Gregory V. Agía Filothéi died in 159, and her bones are still visible in a silver reliquary. She is honored for ransoming Greek women enslaved in Turkish harems.
Gregory V, Patriarch of Constantinople, was hanged and thrown into the Bosphorus in 1821. His body was rescued by Greek sailors and eventually returned to Athens.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Mitrópoli; Megali Mitrópoli; Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens; Athens Cathedral |
| Type of site: | Cathedral |
| Faith: | Greek Orthodox |
| Dates: | 1842-62 |
| Status: | Active |
| Location: | Plateía Mitropóleos, Pláka, Athens, Greece |
| Phone: | 210 322 1308 |
| Metro: | Monastiráki |
| Hours: | Daily 6:30am to 7pm |
Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Mitropoli of Athens. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Athens Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Frommer's Greece
