Athens is most famous for its cornucopia of ancient Greek ruins, but the city also has a wealth of wonderful Byzantine churches. Many of these are only as large as a house, lending them an earthy quaintness. Here are a few of the more famous ones in Athens.
The cute little Church of Kapnikarea sits in the middle of the pedestrian Ermou Street, acting as a Byzantine centerpiece to this "plaza". The structure consists of two adjoining chapels (11th and 13th Centuries), but the paintings are from modern times.
The Megali Mitropoli stands in tandem with the older and smaller Mikri Mitropoli. As the names may indicate, the larger "Megali" serves as the main Greek Orthodox Athens Cathedral dating from the 19th Century, while the smaller "Mikri" (Church of Agios Eleftherios) goes back to the 12th Century. Both churches include elements from older constructions (the Athens Cathedral incorporates pieces from over 50 buildings!). A plaza paved with marble fronts the two churches.
In the Agora, the Agli Apostoli (Church of the Holy Apostles) seems to jump out amongst the ancient Greek ruins. Located near the Stoa of Attalos, this Byzantine church from the 10th Century AD has been drastically altered and extended over the years, with a restoration completed in 1956. Some of the frescoes displayed within the interior are actually from St. Spyridon.