Church of the Holy Apostles (Thessaloniki)

The Church of the Holy Apostles in Thessaloniki (Greek Ναός Αγίων Αποστόλων ), is a Byzantine church from the 14th century. Located near the western city wall at the beginning of Olympou Street Church since 1988 has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage ( Early Christian and Byzantine buildings in Thessaloniki ).

History

When originally probably the Mother of God ( Theotokos Gorgoepikoos ) church dedicated to it is likely to act the part of a larger complex, probably a former Monastery, pointed out by a cistern in the northwest indicates. The church was built from 1312 to 1315 under Patriarch Niphon I of Constantinople Opel. However, radiocarbon studies point to a building until about 1329. Between 1520 and 1530, the church was converted into a mosque ( Soguk Su Camii ). The Decoration was plastered over. In 1926 the church was restored and the frescoes were uncovered again. In the earthquake of 1978, the building was damaged. In 2002, the mosaics were cleaned.

Construction

The church is a cross-domed church with a square core, a central dome supported by four pillars with a high drum and four smaller domes at the corners with a narthex in the form of an open porch, a three-sided approach to the core, three apses. The exterior walls are adorned with a rich treasure of brick decorations.

Equipment

In the barrel vaults and in the main dome mosaics of the time of construction are obtained from excellent workshops. The lower parts of the building are covered with frescoes. The equipment shows influence from Constantinople Opel.