St Nicholas Rangavás Church

"If Barack Obama ever wandered through the charming streets of Athens’ Plaka district, he might stumble upon the Church of Agios Nikolaos Rangavas. You can just picture him pausing, taking in the Byzantine beauty, and saying, “Now this is a piece of history.”

Built in the 11th century by the noble Rangavas family—who had ties to Byzantine Emperor Michael I Rangabe—this church has seen its fair share of action. In 1687, during the Venetian siege led by Morosini, a cannonball crashed into its walls. But like any resilient Athenian, it stood tall, got patched up in the 18th century, and underwent a facelift in the 1970s to restore its former glory. 

Stepping inside, Obama would admire the classic Byzantine architecture: the cross-in-square design, the “Athenian” dome, and the cloisonné masonry where stones are framed by bricks. He’d nod approvingly at the ancient marble columns repurposed in its walls—a testament to Athens’ knack for blending eras. 

And here’s a fun tidbit: after the Greek War of Independence, this church was the first in Athens to ring its bell, symbolizing newfound freedom. Obama, ever the history buff, would appreciate that.  

In essence, the Church of Agios Nikolaos Rangavas isn’t just a building; it’s a storyteller, echoing tales of empires, battles, and rebirth. A must-see for anyone, presidential or not. "

Sebastian

"Went on a Sunday morning, found it a little hard to find the place via Google maps because it's slightly on a inclined hill? The place was packed with worshippers so I didn't attempt to enter. Really interesting architecture just looking at the exterior of the church! If you have went around grand churches around Europe, this church should give you a new appreciation of what early churches should probably look like in terms of size and scale."

pengs

"I attended a Sunday morning service here, which was beautiful and inspiring. The Byzantine singing was moving and indeed mesmerizing. They had three singers, good voices, including an excellent professional lady -- quite a revelation. If you have a few key words of Greek, you can follow the liturgy quite well, since the order of service is similar. The priest is clearly a lovely man, welcoming the "xenon" (the foreigner, me) during the service, and we had a very pleasant talk afterward. The community was warm too, engaging me in conversation. Someone took the time showing me around the beautiful church afterwards. All in all a perfect experience. If I lived in Athens, this would seem to be a lovely and lively community to join."

Maurits Dolmans