The most beautiful churches cathedrals basilicas and chapels Greece

The Assumption of Mary (Dormition according to the Oriental tradition) is the orthodox and Catholic religious belief that the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the end of his earthly life, entered directly into the glory of God, soul and body. In the narrow church, we don't see much of it if it's icons and paintings as in many other churches.

Dedicated to the apostle Saint André, the patron saint of the city who died crucified here in 60, this Orthodox Basilica was inaugurated in 1974, while its construction began in 1908. In Byzantine style, it is famous for being the largest basilica in the Balkans.

According to legend, the basilica was built on the very site of the martyrdom of Saint Dimitri, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, whose feast day is October 26. It was destroyed twice, following fires, and rebuilt before being transformed into a mosque under Turkish rule.

You can go down into the crypt, to the right of the choir. First we enter a small chapel that housed the saint's remains, just after his death. Openings have been made in the walls to allow the faithful to contemplate his body. Continuing along its path, we arrive at the ciborium with 7 columns. It was used to receive the holy oils that were poured on the saint's tomb and which flowed into the circular basin in front of it. You still have to admire the capitals of the columns that support the ensemble and especially the beautiful examples of capitals with acanthus leaves "turned over by a gust of wind". There are also beautiful mosaics, such as the one representing Saint Dimitri with a clergyman on the right of the choir, just outside the crypt. Similarly, you can admire the mosaic representing Saint Demetra surrounded by two children, to the left of the choir. On the right and in parallel, the representation of Saint Dimitri with Saint Serge. Just next door, Saint Dimitri is represented between the two founders of the church: an ecclesiastic and a layman. Finally, admire the mosaic of the Virgin Mary with a saint, opposite the previous one on the other side of the choir.

The walk through the old village of Malia can begin at the central church of Agios Nektarios. It's the biggest church on the main road, so you can't miss it. The interior is decorated with impressive mural paintings by painter Michael Vassilakis.

A cute little chapel, built in 1910, which makes for a nice walk (with a 100-metre gradient). Although the chapel is often closed, the site is pleasant, with a lovely view over the bay. Nearby, there's also a spring with cold water and benches and a table where you can sit in the shade of century-old trees and take a break from the heat. The chapel is particularly lively on its feast day, July 25, with a procession.