What I can see

The building essentially constitutes a basilica, with short side-aisles. The arcs – one on each side of the building – are in gothic style. The rest of the gothic elements are milder, adapted to the Attica landscape. The walls are made of marble from Mount Hymettus and the cornices are sculpted on Isthmus limestone. The architect managed to truly deliver what is a marvellous architectural sample, without failing to meet the natural scale, which can be observed at the opening of the pointed arches in its interior, a combination of spaciousness and a modest size. The interior arches have also been emphasized by a number of streaks. The stained-glass windows are dedicated to the memory of Richard Church, an Irish philhellene who served in the British Army.

What I can't see

It belongs to the Anglican Church and is dedicated to Saint Paul. Built to serve the religious needs of Protestants in the American and English communities of Athens, it is now used for cultural purposes as well. The competition for the project had attracted several architects. The winner was Henry Ackland but his design was not materialized. The question of who was eventually appointed to make the architectural drawings of the church remains unanswered. The rumoured names include, among others, Stamatis Kleanthis, Charles Cockerell and Christian Hansen. The church once came close to being demolished. That was the plan of the British embassy, later abandoned.

Info

• Address: 27 Filellinon St.

Bibliography