Athens Holy Apostles church

Location: Thissio

The Church of the Holy Apostles is located on the western side of the Ancient Agora of Athens and dates from the mid-10th century. This church is particularly significant as this is the only monument in the Agora, other than the Temple of Hephaestus, to survive intact since its foundation.

DISCOVER THE BEST TOURS IN ATHENS!
Discover the best tours in Athens and book the one that matches your interests the most!

The architecture of the church is also significant as it marks the beginning of the so-called "Athenian type", combining the simple four-pier with the cross-in-square forms. The altar and floor were made of marble. The floor plan had a cross with apses on four sides and four columns supporting the dome. Many interesting wall paintings from the 17th century survive in this church.

Constructed partly over a 2nd-century sanctuary of the Nymphes (nymphaion) and partly on a demolished Byzantine residence, the Church of the Holy Apostles is also known as the Holy Apostles of Solaki. The Solakis were either the family who sponsored a later renovation of the church or a family who populated the area around the chapel in the 19th century. The last restoration of the church was between 1954 and 1957.

How to get there

There are many ways to reach the Church of the Holy Apostles from any location in Athens.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: (0030) 18288, (0030) 18222, (0030) 18180. You can also book your taxi online.

On foot: As the Church of the Holy Apostles is located in a central area of Athens, it can be easily reached on foot from Syntagma Square in less than 20 minutes.

By metro: The closest metro stations are Thissio (Green Line) and Monastiraki (Green Line and Blue Line). Note that the Church of the Holy Apostles is located within a 7-minute walking distance from the metro stations. Get a map of the metro here.

By bus/trolleybus: The closest bus stop is "Monastiraki". Check the routes and the official timetables on OASA Telematics.