The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (Ιερός Μητροπολιτικός Ναός Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου), known locally as Mitropoli Athinon, stands at the heart of Athens as the principal cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Church. Its cornerstone was laid in December 1842 by King Otto and Queen Amalia, and under three successive architects the building took shape over twenty years. Architectural material salvaged from 72 demolished churches was incorporated into its walls — a practice that physically embedded fragments of earlier Orthodox worship into the fabric of the new structure. The interior was entrusted to leading artists of the nineteenth century: wall paintings executed by Alexander Seitz, ornamentation by Konstantinos Fanellis from Smyrna, and sculpture by Georgios Fytalis from Tinos. Within the cathedral rest the sacred relics of two Orthodox martyrs: Saint Philothei of Athens (1522–1589) and Saint Gregorios V, Patriarch of Constantinople (1746–1821).
Beside it, almost eclipsed by its mass, stands the small medieval church of Agios Eleftherios — a quiet reminder of the Athens that existed before the modern capital.
This photograph shows the south façade and central dome, captured from Mitropoleos Square.
Mitropoleos Square, Athens, Greece
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Lens: TAMRON SP 28-75mm F/2.8 Di A09E
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 42.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/640
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO: 100
Photo Taken: May 05, 2026
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