BYZANTINE CHURCHES

The city of Kastoria has more than 70 Byzantine churches, with varying opening hours, but which are worth a visit.
The Taxiarch Church, for example, is a three-nave church with wall paintings from the 10th and 14th centuries. The one that decorates the exterior façade is particularly impressive: it represents men, women and children who were buried in this church in the 15th century. In the narthex is the tomb of the national hero, Pavlos Melas.
The Aghios Anargyri church is a basilica decorated with frescoes superimposed on two layers. The figures depicted are less stylized than in traditional Byzantine hagiography. The oldest, dating from the year 1000, decorate the narthex. The most recent ones date from the 12th century and cover the entire interior of the building. There is even a portrait of Theodore Lemniotis, who financed the construction of the church.
The Aghios Nikolas church dates back to the 12th century. It was built by Nikiforos Kasnitzis who is represented with his wife on either side of the entrance. In the narthex, one can also recognize Saint Nicholas.
Aghios Stephanos is a basilica with three naves, from the 10th century, where three layers of paintings can be distinguished that are difficult to date, probably from the 12th century. Unfortunately, the original paintings have disappeared.
The Panahia Koumbelidiki church dates from the 11th century with murals from the 13th and 15th centuries. We can see in particular the Dormition of the Virgin and also the Trinity.