At the pedestrian zone of the historical centre of Preveza, near the Venetian tower with the famous sundial, is the metropolitan church of the city, which is dedicated to its patron saint, Agios Charalambos.
It was constructed in the period 1715-1717, that is when Preveza was still under the Ottoman occupation, probably at the location of an older church.
Architecturally, it belongs to the type of the aisleless basilica, but the later interventions and additions have changed its initial shape. As a matter of fact, on the eastern side they have walled-in a Roman sarcophagus from Nicopolis, in order to be used as a fountain.
The interior of the church is decorated with impressive art works. The roof, the walls and the façade of the gynaikonitis are covered by eight paintings, in frames, the works of the well-known painter Spyridon Gazis from Lefkada. The paintings date from 1884 and are characteristic examples of the art of the Ionian Islands in that period, which is influenced significantly from the West.
Of exceptional quality is the wooden-carved screen of the church, which was constructed by a craftsman from Epirus in 1827 and was gold-plated in 1836. Some of its icons are the work of the Athenian painted Anastasios Rizos and date from 1793, while the icon of Agios Charalambos, in 1804, is the work of Vasileios Arkeles, the painter from Lefkada, which is also characterized by his influences from western art. The pulpit, the archieratic throne and some of the portable icons are also of great artistic value.
The church celebrates on the 10th of February, which is a holiday for the city.
Informations
Additional
Date:
1715-1717
Season:
Post-Byzantine
Celebrates:
10 February
Holy Metropolis:
Nikopolis and Preveza
Under the Supervision of:
Ephorate of Antiquities of Preveza
Address:
Ethnikis Antistaseos 48100
Access:
by car
