Just a kilometer from the historic bridge of Arta is the church of Agios Vasileios of the Bridge. It was named thus in contrast to the church of Agios Vasileios in the city, Agios Vasileios Agoras (in the market), as it is called.
This elegant small church dates from the second half of the 9th century and initially it was the catholicon of a monastery, as it is testified by the metropolitan of Arta, Seraphim Xenopoulos.
Architecturally it belongs to the type of the free cross, which on the east ends to a semi-circular apse and on the west to a barrel vaulted narthex. At the centre there is the characteristic tall, cylindrical dome with the conic roof and the ceramic decoration.
From the wall paintings of the church, which belong to four different time periods, stand out the ones at the bema (second half of the 13th century) and the depiction of Agios Vasileios on the eastern wall if the south arm of the cross (16th century).
Informations
Additional
Date:
2nd half of the 9th century
Holy Metropolis:
Nikopolis and Preveza
Under the Supervision of:
Ephorate of Antiquities of Arta
