Athens Agia Irini church

Location: Monastiraki

At the corner of Aiolou Street and Athinas Street in Monastiraki sits one of the most renowned downtown spots - the Church of Agia Irini and the namesake square.
The church itself is quite impressive, while the Square of Agia Irini is one of the busiest spots in the center of the city, as several cafes and restaurants are situated there, filled with people day and night.

DISCOVER THE BEST TOURS IN ATHENS!
Discover the best tours in Athens and book the one that meets your interests the most!

Agia Irini is an aisled basilica with a beautiful dome and two belfries. The elegant temple was originally constructed during Turkish Rule and served as a significant meeting point for Christians during those challenging times. Certain sources mention that the edifice was built after the use of ruins of more than 70 older Byzantine churches, as well as parts of the ancient ruins of the Acropolis Hill.

After the liberation of Greece in 1821 and the establishment of the modern Greek State, the capital was transferred from the city of Nafplio to Athens and the church of Agia Irini became the city’s metropolis.

Read more ...

Top Tours and activities

• Self-drive classic route

  Category: Other, Multi Days, City Breaks, City, Private, Ancient Sites, Shore Excursions

  Explore Greece by car on this self-drive classic route. Give your self the change to see the capital of Greece, Athens, and the most important archaeological sites of the country at your own pace!

  N/A Map

  from € 620.00

  Book now

More information about Agia Irini Church

As the constructive works for a new metropolis were delayed, the famous architect Lyssandros Kaftatzoglou was assigned the reconstruction of the church in 1846. The restoration works were completed in 1850 and the talented architect managed to yield a very special character to the temple, by combining neoclassical, Roman and Byzantine elements, while the elaborate interior illustrations were completed in 1892.
It was there where the funeral of Theodoros Kolokotronis, one of Greece's most renowned generals and an eminent figure of the War of Independence, took place in 1843.
The church of Agia Irini served as the Metropolitan Church of Athens until 1862 when the Metropolitan Cathedral finally took its place.

The building was declared a monument of special interest in 1972 by the Ministry of Culture and was restored by the Department of Byzantine Antiquities in 1995.
Since it is dedicated to Saint Irene of Macedonia, the church celebrates on May 5th.

How to get there

There are many ways to reach the Church of Agia Irini from any location in Athens.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: (0030) 18288, (0030) 18222, (0030) 18180. You can also book your taxi online.

On foot: As the Church of Agia Irini is located in a central area of Athens, it can be easily reached on foot from Syntagma Square in approximately 10 minutes.

By metro: The closest metro station is Monastiraki (Blue Line and Green Line). Note that the Church of Agia Irini is located within a 3-minute walking distance from the metro. Get a map of the metro here.

By bus/trolleybus: The closest bus stop is “Monastiraki”. Check the routes and the official timetables on OASA Telematics.