Metamorfoseos tou Sotiros Church (Kottaki)
Metamorfoseos tou Sotiros Church (Kottaki) is a cruciform church with later additions in Plaka.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1835 The first expansion took place between 1835 and 1855.
1908 The second – larger – expansion and the construction of the bell towers took place between 1908 and 1917.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
It was built at the end of the 10th century.
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
It is a church that has undergone enormous alterations. The original building is a four-column cruciform inscribed church with an octagonal dome of the Athenian type. Today, it is a three-aisled basilica with a transept and a disproportionately small dome, due to subsequent additions. All three arches in the sanctuary belong to the original building. On the east facade, the niches have toothed strips, the arch has unusual proportions and the masonry is semi- ashlar with decorative brickwork, unlike the drum of the dome, whose masonry is of the brick-enclosed system. In the interior, there are columns from the Roman period and the frescoes are of the 20th century.
What I can't see
The church is also known as Agia Sotira. The name “Kottaki” comes from the owner of the church. It has been a parish church since 1822 and in order to serve the needs of the parishioners, it underwent such serious changes and expansions that its alteration as a monument is enormous. The destruction or covering of the side walls and the floor, as well as the demolition of the entire western part of the church, make it almost impossible to know its exact original form.
Info
- Address: Kydathineon & Kodrou St.
Bibliography
Zivas D.A.., (2012), Αρχιτεκτονικός Οδηγός Αθηνών, [Architectural Guide of Athens], Cultural Foundation of Pireos Group
Bouras C., (2010), Βυζαντινή Αθήνα, 10ος– 12ος αιώνα, [Byzantine Athens 10th– 12th century], Benaki Museum
