Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece

ATHENS, Greece — The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens is one of the grandest churches in this ancient city. And in typical Greek Orthodox style, it is opulently decorated inside.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece
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The Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the grandest churches in this ancient city. But it’s by no means the oldest. There are several others that date back to the Byzantine era. Even the tiny little church right next to the Metropolis dates back to the 12th century. The cathedral, by contrast, was dedicated in May 1862.

In recent years, the cathedral (or Metropolis, as its often known) has been undergoing renovations. Here are some shots of what it looks like inside. It gets mixed reviews. It’s large and, in typical Greek Orthodox style, opulently decorated–some would say gaudy, considering that it’s relatively new rather than many centuries old as it looks to be trying to present itself.

Photos of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens

Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Mosaic on Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens in Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Interior of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Mosaic on Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens in Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel
Agios Eleftherios Church in Athens, Greece
Photo by David Coleman / Have Camera Will Travel

What To Know Before You Go

Expect renovations and closed-off sections.

It’s also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation and is also referred to locally as the Mētrópolis.

It sits on a square in the Monastiraki neighborhood, not far from the Ancient Agora.

Mitropoleos, Athina 105 56, Greece

David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my gear reviews and tips here. More »