Nea Panagia church Thessaloniki

If tourists really knew how many gems our city has, they would perhaps like to stay here for a whole month! Another example that proves that is the small “Nea Panagia” church, dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God, a feast celebrated on August 15^th (in the Greek tradition, it is also referred as the Easter of summer). It’s a typical post-Byzantine basilica with a nave and two aisles.

The current edifice was built in 1727. On the same site, there had been a 12^th-c. Byzantine monastery, also dedicated to the Virgin that burnt down around 1690. The intricate iconostasis is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It is definitely an example of Greek Baroque art. Gorgeous are also the ceiling murals, dated to the 19^th century. They depict the Virgin, Christ, angels, and lovely floral and geometrical motifs. The whole atmosphere really uplifts your soul and reminds you that man is destined for something greater in this life!