Fanaticism and the Christian insistence to erase the remains of any paganism have resulted in the coexistence of different structures in the same place. Just as in Lima the Cathedral of Lima stands on an Inca ceremonial center or as in Rome there are countless churches built on pagan temples the same we see in Greece. For example, in Athens, on the grounds of the ancient Agora, stands the Church of the Holy Apostles. It dates from the XNUMXth century and apparently a later restoration was made with money contributed by the Solakis family, hence it is also known as the Church of the Holy Apostles of Solaki.
Together with the Temple of Ephesus, it is the only building in the Agora that has survived almost entirely over the centuries. Being from the XNUMXth century, it is no small thing. This Christian temple was the first church built in the Middle Byzantine period to be built in Athens and was the first example of an architectural style characterized by a square cross shape. And of course, it was built on a nymphaeum, a monument dedicated to the nymphs of the springs. This monument was rebuilt in the 50s.
In the central nave some frescoes from the end of the XNUMXth century survive and the rest are paintings that have been brought from neighboring churches. The damage that occurred during a confrontation between the Ottomans and Venetians was restored so that the church looked, as much as possible, like its original version.
Source: via Athens Information Guide
Photo 1: via Athens Greece
Photo 2: via Otto greoule