Holy Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary — Attraction in Athens

This Monastery is a good stop when you are on Aegina Island. It is easy to find. Accessible by car about 12-15min drive outside Aegina main port. It is directly of the main road that you take to get to most of the other spots on the island. It's about 7min before Vagia Beach. The monastery itself is a midsized or even on the smaller end of a midsize church of this kind. The atmosphere was very peaceful and beautiful, it had its own personal charm, it seemed that there was a baptism taken place during my visit, so it was very nice to hear the monks singing their praise in their native tongue. It gave a very angelic and holy feeling. The church was undergoing some significant renovations and upgrades during my visit so there was a full set of multiple scaffold that were a bit obstructing to the beauty of the church itself and all of its wonderful paintings in mosaics and stained glass and different depiction of Saints and the holy father, etc.. the center of the room, where the priest holds mass was built and designed very nicely and gave a very impressive feeling. There was a memorable stone mosaic map of the several more larger or significant monasteries located between the mainland and the islands. I also went and explored the living quarters and the smaller Chappell that is used between the monks and sisters, also visited the gift shop which were all located on a hill that was adjacent to the monastery that you needed to take 50 to 60 steps up the hill to reach so be prepared for that. There was plenty of parking and there was visible security on the grounds. The monastery provides as a selection of modest covers for the ladies who may be dressed less "church like" and more "Greek Islands" (understandably) which was a nice service for the people I thought. There are nice memorable gifts you can purchase if that's what you're wanting for keepsake, there is a nice traditional Greek restaurant or two just across the street if you would like food or drink before or after your visit. It's a beautiful monastery, and I recommended, especially if you were visiting the island. You can just add it to your days itinerary, you don't have to take hours to see it. If you wanted to see it and its entirety, you could do that all within a 1-1.5hrs comfortably at a very leisurely pace. So it's not a full day or even half day...

Athens Cathedral, officially known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation (Mitropoli), stands at the heart of Athens as an architectural and historical gem. Construction began on Christmas Day 1842, with King Otto and Queen Amalia laying the foundation stone, shortly after Athens was declared the capital of Greece. Designed as the central church of the Greek Orthodox faith, it took 20 years to complete, opening its doors in 1862. The project kicked off with the neo-classical plans of renowned architect Theophil Hansen, though financial setbacks paused progress multiple times. Over time, architects like Dimitris Zezos, Panagis Kalkos, and François Boulanger took over, each adding their own flair to this three-aisled, domed basilica. One of its most striking features is its massive walls, built using marble salvaged from 72 demolished or abandoned Byzantine churches, a nod to sustainability and a deep connection to the past.

Architecturally, the cathedral is a refined example of neo-classicism. Measuring 40 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 24 meters high, it boasts two bell towers and an imposing dome that dominate the skyline. Inside, the space comes alive with 19th-century artistry: wall paintings by Spyridon Giallinas and Alexander Seitz, decorations by Konstantinos Fanellis, and sculptures by Georgios Fytalis lend it a rich, artistic soul. It also houses the tombs of two saints, Saint Philothei and Patriarch Gregory V martyred during Ottoman rule, adding layers of religious and historical significance. Right next door, the 12th-century Agios Eleftherios Church (Little Mitropoli), built with materials from pagan temples, creates a charming contrast to the grandeur of the cathedral.

Though damaged in the 1999 earthquake, careful restoration brought it back to its former glory. Today, it serves as both a hub for religious ceremonies and a venue for major national events, cementing its status as an Athenian landmark. Reflecting Greece’s post-independence identity, this structure blends simplicity with strength, leaving a lasting impression on every visitor. For anyone exploring Athens, the cathedral is a must see a place where the layers of history...

The Athens Cathedral is a monumental, neoclassical Greek-Byzantine architecture. Upon completion on 21 May 1862, the cathedral was dedicated to the Annunciation. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece. The cathedral hosts important religious ceremonies attended by figures of religious, political and national standing, as well as funerals and weddings of prominent figures. The earthquake that struck Greece in 1999 severely damaged the church, which has since undergone a long process of restoration and returned to regular activity in 2016. The underground crypt inside the church contains the tombs of two Greek saints, who were murdered by the Ottomans. The Jewish Point - In the square opposite the cathedral stands the statue of the Righteous Among the Nations Damascenes, who was the Archbishop of Athens during World War II. In 1943, when the deportation of Greek Jews to the extermination camps began, Damascenes published a public letter condemning the Nazis and their policies towards the Jews. Damascenes and the Athens Police Chief Angelos Everett, also a Righteous Among the Nations who drew inspiration and encouragement from Damascenes' words, worked together at great personal risk and at the end of 1943 ordered the issuance of thousands of new identity cards to the Jews of Athens under Christian names, which stated the religious affiliation of the cardholders as Christian, thereby contributing to the saving of more than 3,000 Jews from the Athenian community. Next to the Metropolitan Cathedral is the "Chapel of the Virgin", also known as the Little Metropolis. Built in the 12th century on the ruins of an ancient Byzantine temple, it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Gorkoafikou and also to Agios Eleftherios. It was once used as a public library. It is worth taking a look at the reliefs on the exterior and the mosaic...