Omorfokklisia

What I can see

The name “Omorfoklisia” (in Greek: beautiful church) was bestowed thanks to the elegance of this Byzantine church. It is a double-column cruciform inscribed church of St. George, to which a narthex was probably added a little later and connected with the bell tower. On the south side there is a chapel. Some scientific views hold that it was built subsequent to the main church, while others believe that it was built concurrently. The western (Gothic) elements helped the determination of the building’s date, which seemed to have influenced both the church and the chapel. Thus, the opinion that the two churches were constructed at the same time gained ground.

 

What I can't see

The church was probably the catholicon (main church) of a monastery. In addition to its exterior elegance, its colourful frescoes of the 13th century, are of unique value. Unfortunately, they have been largely vandalized by non-Christians and corroded by time. The frescoes depict saints, hierarchs, apostles, the Virgin Mary, ascetics, and scenes from the New Testament. The dome depicts Jesus the Almighty, whose face is attributed dynamically. These frescoes prove that in the second half of the 13th century art was in a flourishing phase and could even reach isolated and provincial places, such as Galatsi was at that time.

 

Info

• Address: Veikou Av. and Anagenniseos St.

Bibliography