Wanloria › Destinations › Athens › Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite
Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite
This is the Catholic cathedral of Athens and the seat of the city's Catholic archbishop. It stands on Panepistimiou Avenue, at the corner with Omirou Street. King Otto commissioned the design from the German architect Leo von Klenze, and Lysandros Kaftanzoglou modified it and directed the work without payment. The land was bought in 1847 with contributions from the Catholics of Greece; work started in 1853 and the inauguration was on 4 August 1865. It is a three-aisled basilica in neo-Renaissance style, about 38 metres long, built of Pentelic marble, green Tinos marble and brick. Inside, twelve columns of green Tinos marble support the nave and the apse bears the 1890 fresco The Apotheosis of St Dionysius the Areopagite, by Guglielmo Bilancioni. The eight stained-glass windows were made in Munich and the two marble pulpits were a gift from Emperor Franz Joseph I. An earthquake in 1999 made it necessary to reinforce and restore the church.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite: 3 missions
- Look at the fresco in the apse of St DionysiusRaise your eyes to the semi-dome and look for the fresco The Apotheosis of St Dionysius the Areopagite, painted in 1890 by Bilancioni.
- Count the green Tinos marble columnsGo into the nave and count the twelve columns of green Tinos marble that support the aisles. Notice the Pentelic marble capitals.
- Photograph the facade from PanepistimiouFrom the pavement of Panepistimiou Avenue, frame the marble facade and observe the neo-Renaissance style of Klenze and Kaftanzoglou.
Near Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite?
Visiting Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite is free.
What are the opening hours of Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite?
Abierta todos los días de 7:00 a 13:00 y de 17:30 a 20:00. Hay misas a diario, así que conviene visitar con discreción durante los oficios.
How much time do you need for Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite?
Allow about 30 min for the visit.
What is there to do at Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite?
Look at the fresco in the apse of St Dionysius, Count the green Tinos marble columns and Photograph the facade from Panepistimiou.
What is there to see near Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite?
Saint Dionysius (6 m), Numismatic Museum of Athens (157 m) and National Historic Museum (230 m).