Church of Panagia Chalkeon

At the centre of the old city of Thessaloniki, at the intersection of Aristotelous and Engatia streets, under the ancient Agora, is the church of Panagia Chalkeon. The coppersmiths’ workshops that existed, and continue to exist, in the area, gave the name to the church.

According to a marble inscription, over the western entrance, the monument was built in 1028 over a pagan sanctuary by Christopher, employee of the royal court (protospatharios) and commander (katepano) of Longobardia. His tomb is located on the northern wall of the church.

After the occupation of Thessaloniki by the Ottomans in 1430 the church was converted into a mosque with the name Kazancilar Camii, that is mosque of the coppersmiths. With the liberation of the city in 1912 it became once again an Orthodox church. Like most of the churches in Thessaloniki, the church of Panagia Chalkeon suffered extended damages by the earthquake in 1933, which were restored.

Architecturally, the church, which follows faithfully the architectural tradition of Constantinople, belongs to the type of four-columned cross-in-square church with a dome.

Of particular interest are the external parts of the church, with the successive carved arches and apses, conches and semi-circular columns, as it is usual in the monuments of Constantinople. The church is built exclusively by bricks, something that indicates that it is a rather expensive construction.

The church’s wall paintings are not in a good condition. There are some Christological scenes at the main church (Nativity, Hypapante, Adoration of the Magi, Pentecost) and functional at the bema, where there is the Platytera praying. However, they are the most important wall paintings as a whole, which according to the inscription is identified with the foundation of the church.