AGIA SOFIAS CHURCH

You can easily find it by wandering through the pedestrian streets between Egnatia and Tsimiski streets. Impossible to miss: the Sainte-Sophie church, with its three naves and square plan, is one of the most imposing buildings in the medieval city. It was built during the 8th century on the ruins of a large monumental basilica with five naves destroyed by an earthquake. To this day, it remains one of the most important Byzantine buildings in the city.

Architecturally, the church seems to mark a transition from the domed basilica to the cross church, judging by the architectural imperfections that characterize it. Thus, the base of the large dome is not exactly circular but almost square. Transformed into a mosque in 1585, it was seriously damaged by a fire in 1890 and rebuilt by the Turks. In 1912, it was returned to Christian worship.

Inside, you can first see the column capitals, in the same style as those of the Basilica of St. Dimitri, with their two rows of acanthus leaves blown in the same direction. Looking up, we can see the mosaic that adorns the inside of the large dome. It represents the ascension of Christ surrounded by the Virgin, herself framed by two angels who seem to address the apostles, words inscribed above the Virgin and taken from the Act of the Apostles: "People of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken from you for heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go to heaven. "In the apse of the church, another mosaic represents the Virgin carrying Christ. This mosaic covers another, older one, representing a cross and dating from the quarrel over the images. The inscription that can be read under the feet of the Virgin belongs to this first composition: "Lord, God of our fathers, make this house firm - and unshakeable - until the end of time, for your glory, the glory of your only Son and that of the Holy Spirit. "

inscription seems to have been partially covered by the painting of the Virgin Mary. In addition to the mosaics, this church will feature some very beautiful 12th century frescoes depicting a series of monks and nuns with very expressive faces.