Art and Culture in Athens

"Greek Orthodoxy, which is the result of the schism from the Catholic Church in 1054, has played a significant role in Greece’s history. During turbulent periods like the rule of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries, World War II, and the civil war (1946-1949), Orthodox Christianity kept the morale of the Greeks high. Even though for younger generations religion in Greece is more a matter of tradition and cultural identity than systematic participation, Christianity remains closely interlinked with politics and education.The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, which is located between the metro stations of Syntagma and Monastiraki, took 20 years (1842-1862) to build due to limited funding. The initial architect of the cathedral was a Dane, Theophil Hansen, who was also responsible for other 19th-century landmarks in the city, such as the National Library and the University of Athens. After Hansen’s departure from Greece, two new architects took over. The inconsistency between Hansen’s neoclassical influences and his successors’ Byzantine elements is evident in the cathedral’s exterior. But the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens is noteworthy for its excessive inner decoration. From floor to ceiling, the walls are covered with colorful illustrations, narrating the life stories of saints and characters from the Bible. The Byzantine-like icons on the templon are by German artist Alexander Maximilian Seitz and Greek Spyros Gialinnas. The damaging effects of the 1999 Athens earthquake lead to the renovation of the cathedral, which has only recently been finalized. The entrance is free, but note that modest attire is required." - MATADOR_NETWORK