The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos, Thessaloniki

The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos is one of the most important examples of an old Christian basilica in Greece. 

The Church of Panagia Acheiropoietos was built in the middle of the 5th century. It was named Acheiropoietos (not made by hand) in relation to the Icon of Virgin Mary that was formed miraculously inside the church.  The church also honored Agios Dimitrios, and during the Byzantine period, it was an important stop for  the procession that took place on the eve of the saint’s celebration. The church is built over a complex of Roman public baths and belongs to the type of three-aisled basilica.The interior architectural decoration is notable for  its columns and Corinthian capitals made from Proconnesos marble and two columns of the tribelion made of green Thessalian marble. 

The mosaics preserved on  the inside of the arches of the colonnades are beautifully made and depict plants and geometrical motifs, animals, and Christian symbols. 

The southern aisle of the church is decorated with  paintings from the 13th century.  They represent military saints and are part of the representation of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. Sadly they barely survived the course of time and the Turks' reign. Indeed, this church is the first one that was converted into a mosque from 1430 to 1912.

The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos
The church of Panagia Acheiropoietos

Opening Hours

Monday:
08:00 - 12:00
17:00 - 19:00
Tuesday:
08:00 - 12:00
17:00 - 19:00
Wednesday:
08:00 - 12:00
17:00 - 19:00
Thursday:
08:00 - 12:00
17:00 - 19:00
Friday:
08:00 - 12:00
17:00 - 19:00
Saturday:
08:00 - 12:00
17:00 - 19:00
Sunday:
Closed
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