Athens Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris

Location: Thissio

The church of Agios (Saint) Dimitrios Loumbardiaris in Athens is located on Filopappou Hill, on the way to Pnyx Hill and the Monument of Filopappou. It is considered one of the most picturesque churches of Athens and is a frequently preferred destination by Athenians as an ideal spot for weddings, baptisms, or a relaxing walk.

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The tiny church is estimated to date back to the 9th century and is a vaulted, aisled basilica.
During the building process parts of the ancient ruins of the area were used, such as the columns in the altar. Its name means “Saint Demetrius the Bombardier” and derives from an incident that took place in 1658, when the Agha of Athens, Yusuf, was planning to bombard the church and the believers that were gathered there from the Propylaea on the Acropolis with a loumbarda (cannon). However, a thunder fell upon the gunpowder storehouse and killed him. That was considered a providential sign and the church was named to honor the occasion.

The church was restored in 1955 by the renowned architect Demetrios Pikionis who also undertook the design of the slated route that leads to Filopappou Hill. During the restoration works, impressive meta-byzantine illustrations of the 16th century were discovered.

How to get there

There are many ways to reach the Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris 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 Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris is located in a central area of Athens it can be easily reached on foot from Syntagma Square in approximately 20 minutes.

By metro: The closest metro station is Akropoli (Red Line). Note that the Church of Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris is located within a 12-minute walking distance from the metro. Get a map of the metro here.

By bus/trolleybus: The closest bus stop is "Akropoli" (Bus line 230). Check the routes and the official timetables on OASA Telematics.