Athens - Panaghia Kapnikaréa Church

In a little square, opening off Ermoú Street, stands this interesting church, now the University church, which was saved from destruction during the construction of Ermoú Street in the 19th C. only by the intervention of King Ludwig I of Bavaria.

The Kapnikaréa is a very fine example of a domed cruciform church of the 11th C., with the little chapel of Ste Barbara on the north side. In the 12th C. a narthex with four pediments (originally open) was built onto the west end, giving architectural unity to the church and chapel. The graceful entrance portico appears to date from the same period.

The paintings in the interior (19th C.) cover the complete iconographic program as developed in the Middle Byzantine period.