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Image by Ava Babili
Dating from the late 10th century, Agii Apostoli (Holy Apostles) Church in the Ancient Agora of Athens played a significant role in the development of Byzantine architecture.
This site originally hosted a 2nd-century Nymphaeum, a monument honoring the nymphs that usually included a fountain. The Church of the Holy Apostles was built on its foundations in the last quarter of the 10th century, to cater to the expanding community in this part of the city. It was the beginning of a period of prosperity in Athens that lasted until the conquest of the Franks in 1201.
The church was slightly expanded during three more building phases: the first added square niches at either end of the narthex; the second expanded the narthex to the west; and the third removed the narthex supports to create a longer nave.
Agii Apostoli suffered damage during the war over Athens between the Ottomans and Venetians around 1687 and it was repaired in the 18th century.
Extensive restoration work was carried out in 1876-82, which unfortunately included unattractive extensions that altered the church’s original form. These alterations were reversed during a restoration and excavation project carried out between February 1954 and September 1956. The present form of the church is close to that of the 10th-century original.
Source: Sacred Destinations
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