Church of the Prophet Elias (Thessaloniki)

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The Elias Church

The Church of the Prophet Elias ( Greek Ναός Προφήτη Ηλία ) is a Byzantine church from the time of the paleologists in Thessaloniki . It is located south of Olimpiados Street in the upper town and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1988 ( early Christian and Byzantine buildings in Thessaloniki ).

history

Some researchers believe that the Elias Church is the monastery church of the Néa Moní monastery, others identify it as the church of the Akapníou monastery. After being converted into a mosque , it was called Saraylı Camii . The name Eliaskirche is more recent. In the years 1956 to 1961, reconstructions were carried out in which the "huge outer supporting pillars" were removed.

Construction and equipment

The domed three- conch system of the athostype and four small domes over the corner rooms in the spandrels of the conches is unique in Thessaloniki. The large dome has a diameter of 5.5 meters. The three arms of the naos are closed by polygonal apses , which are divided into two floors on the outside by windows and blind arcades. To the west is an almost square narthex , the cross vaults of which are supported by four columns and an open hall in front of it. The masonry made of ashlars and brick layers does not correspond to the usual in Thessaloniki, but points to the church building in Constantinople .

In the narthex and in fragments in the main room and in the chapels, wall paintings are preserved which are dated to around 1360 and show miracles of Christ, scenes from the life of Jesus and saints.

literature

  • K. Kourkoutidou-Nikolaïdou, A. Tourta: Walks through Byzantine Thessaloniki. Kapon, Athens 1997, ISBN 960-7254-48-1 , pp. 111-116.
  • Th. Pazotos: The identification of the Church of “Profitis Elias” in Thessaloniki. In: Dumbarton Oaks Papers 45, 1991, pp. 121-127.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ UNESCO World Heritage List - Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika (English)
  2. ↑ K. Kourkoutidou-Nikolaidou, A. Tourta: walks through the Byzantine Thessaloniki . Kapon, Athens 1997, ISBN 960-7254-48-1 , pp. 111-113; Th. Pazotos: The identification of the Church of “Profitis Elias” in Thessaloniki. In: Dumbarton Oaks Papers 45, 1991, pp. 121-127.
  3. ↑ Friederike Kyrieleis: Picture Handbook of Art Monuments Greece. Vol. 1. Deutscher Kunstverlag, Munich / Berlin 1982, p. 449.

gallery

  • North elevation

  • North facade

  • West facade

  • South view

Coordinates: 40 ° 38 ′ 59.9 "  N , 22 ° 57 ′ 47.8"  E