What I can see

The church of Agia Ekaterini is a typical example of the architecture of the Palaiologos dynasty era (late Byzantine period). It is a composite four-column inscribed church with 5 domes and an ambulatory ending in 2 chapels. It has a human scale, rich ceramic decoration, niches on the domes, stepped arches, plinth semi-columns, marble architectural members from older monuments, elegant proportions and other interesting architectural elements that make the church a rare example of the Paleologian renaissance in Macedonia. During the Ottoman period, it was converted into a mosque. When it was restored as a Christian church, few but excellent frescoes were discovered, examples of the city’s artistic heyday. The frescoes have a unique realism and include the Eucharist and Communion, scenes from the life of Christ and saints, angels and prophets.

What I can't see

There were many Byzantine churches in Thessaloniki. According to tradition, they were over 350. The available sources refer to more than 50 churches and 40 monasteries. Today, a total of 15 are preserved. We do not know what the original name of the church was. Perhaps it was dedicated to Christ and may have been a monastery’s main church. When it was converted into a mosque, it was named Yakup Pasha Mosque.

Info

• Address: Ious & Tsamadou St.

Bibliography