Home >  Blossary: Greek Landscape The Sights  >  Term: Church of Panagia Chalkeon
Church of Panagia Chalkeon

The Church of Panagia Chalkeon (Greek: Παναγία τῶν Χαλκέων) is an 11th-century Byzantine church in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.

According to the founder's inscription above the west entrance, the church was built in 1028 by the protospatharios Christopher, katepano of Longobardia, and his wife Maria, son Nikephoros and two daughters, Anna and Katakale. Christopher's tomb was probably located in an arcosolium on the church's northern wall.[1][2]

The ground plan is that of a classic "cross-in-square-form" typical of Macedonian-period architecture, with four columns and three domes, one central and two over the narthex. The entire building is built of bricks, which gave it the popular nickname "Red Church". The exterior is enlivened with a variety of arches and pilasters, elements which can be traced to Constantinopolitan influence. The use of arches with several setbacks gives the building a "sculpted" appearance. In the interior, most of the carved marble decoration, as well as frescoes from the 11th and 14th centuries have been preserved.

0 0

Greek Landscape: The Sights

Category: History

Total terms: 24

Creator

  • KSGRAM
  • (Athens, Greece)

  •  (Bronze) 162 points
  • 100% positive feedback
© 2024 CSOFT International, Ltd.