Agios Nikólaos Ragavás Church, Athens
Exterior of Agios Nikólaos Ragavás Church. Photo
Sailko.
Stairs leading up to the Byzantine church. Photo
Sailko.
A church window glows cozily at night. Photo
Robert Wallace.
Interior with iconostasis. Photo
Sailko.
Interior view looking toward the entrance. Photo
Sailko.
Agios Nikólaos Ragavás Church, located in Pláka neighborhood of Athens, is an 11th century church that is still in active use.
History
Agios Nikólaos Ragavás was built in the 11th century, during the Byzantine era of Athens' history. It was repaired in the 18th century and restored again in the 1970s.
The Church of St. Nicholas was the first church to receive a bell in Athens after the War of Independence (1821). The bell was the first to ring out after the city's liberation from the Germans on October 12, 1944.
Today, Agios Nikólaos Ragavás is a popular parish church for residents of the Pláka, frequently used for lively Greek weddings on the weekends.
What to See
The church is in the Middle Byzantine style of the 11th century. Like many churches of Athens, it incorporates marble columns and other remains of ancient buildings in its external walls.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Agios Nikólaos Ragavás Church |
| Dedicated to: | St. Nicholas |
| Location: | Athens, Attica, Greece |
| Category: | Churches |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Greek Orthodox |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | 11th century |
| Architecture: | Byzantine |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 37.972449° N, 23.729074° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Plaka, Athens, Greece |
| Phone: | 210 322 8193 |
| Hours: | Daily 8am-noon and 5-8pm |
| Public transport: | Metro: Monastiraki Bus: 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18 |
Travel Resources
- Athens Map - our detailed interactive map of Athens, plus hand-picked links to more
- Athens Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Athens
- Athens Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
- Athens Hostels - reserve budget lodgings with no booking fees
- Athens Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Athens Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Athens
- Athens Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Athens Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Athens tourism
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Agios Nikólaos Ragavás Church. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Athens Map.
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Athens Churches - StudyLanguages.org
Article last updated: 06/24/2009.
