Church of the Holy Apostles
   Photo: Church of the Holy Apostles

Church of the Holy Apostles, also known as the Church of the Holy Apostles Solakisa or Agii Apostoli, situated in the Ancient Agora in Athens. This Byzantine church was built in the 10th century and is one of the oldest Christian churches in Athens.

Perhaps the name "Solakis" is derived from the names of patrons who helped restore the temple, or "Solak" - so the densely populated area around the church in the 19th century. Church of the Holy Apostles is of particular importance since it is the only monument in the Agora of Athens, except the temple of Hephaestus, which is completely preserved in its original form to the present day.

This is the first significant church of the Byzantine period in Athens, marks the beginning of the construction of the so-called churches "Athenian type" (cross-domed church with four columns). Church of the Holy Apostles was built on the ruins of an ancient Roman temple of the 2nd century, dedicated to the nymphs (nimfeyon), though its east side stands on the foundation of an ordinary residential building, which is likely, especially for the demolished building of the temple. Location for the Church was not chosen by chance. This place is considered to be the key in the classical era and in Byzantine. The church is located on the western side of the Panathenaic way and near the defensive wall, which was crucial in the defense of the city from intruders.

The original plan of the church is a cruciform building with four columns that support the dome. Four end "cross" is a semi-circular niche between them are small bowl. Also, the church has several chapels, one of which was later expanded to accommodate the coffin here. Most likely, the tomb was intended for the patron of the church, which the Byzantine tradition, had the right to be buried in the church, however, as his relatives. The altar of the church and the floor are made of marble. Tiles on the outer walls decorated with ornamental Kufic patterns. Today the interior of the church is decorated with frescoes also post-Byzantine, who were brought from the ruined church of St. Spyridon, is nearby.

In the mid-20th century was a large-scale restoration of the building, and today the Church of the Holy Apostles before us in its original form.

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