Ano Poli (Upper City) is definitely a district for skilled walkers due to its steep streets. But if you decide to wander across the alleys of that labyrinth, you will be rewarded with such beauty! A gem of the Upper City, surrounded by blocks of flats, is the Church of St. Catherine the Great Martyr (known in the West as St. Catherine of Alexandria).
As usually happens with Byzantine churches, its initial dedication is unknown. Some scholars suggest that it was dedicated to Christ and identify it with the Byzantine monastery of Christ the Almighty. The church itself is dated to ca. 1300. The masonry and arrangement of the exterior are some of the most beautiful in the entire city. There is such a balance. The magnificent frescoes date back to the early 14th century, which represent scenes of Christ’s miracles in the main church, as well as some holy monks in the narthex. The modern icons that adorn the iconostases of the main church and the side chapels imitate the authentic late Byzantine style. I urge you to reflect on the divine, supernatural beauty of the decoration!
