Church of St. Mary of Panagia Katholiki, Afantou, Greece

Church of St. Mary of Panagia Katholiki is a small stone church originally built sometime in the 5th century AD, on the foundations of an early Christian Basilica. Parts of the foundations are still visible today. The church is triune, which means it's dedicated to three holy people or groups of three. In this case it pays homage to the Holy Mother, St. Luke and to the three Prelates.

At some stage before the 8th century, an earthquake struck the island, causing serious damage to many buildings, including this church at Afandou, which completely collapsed. But the inhabitants were determined to replace their favorite place of worship and so in the years that followed, the little church was gradually re-erected. But it was probably not meant to be because it was again leveled during another earthquake that hit the area towards the end of the 8th century. The chapel was patiently and painstakingly reconstructed for the third time.

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Religious sites in Greece

Wieskirche

The Pilgrimage Church of Wies (Wieskirche) is an oval rococo church, designed in the late 1740s by Dominikus Zimmermann. It is located in the foothills of the Alps in the municipality of Steingaden.

The sanctuary of Wies is a pilgrimage church extraordinarily well-preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, and is a perfect masterpiece of Rococo art and creative genius, as well as an exceptional testimony to a civilization that has disappeared.

The hamlet of Wies, in 1738, is said to have been the setting of a miracle in which tears were seen on a simple wooden figure of Christ mounted on a column that was no longer venerated by the Premonstratensian monks of the Abbey. A wooden chapel constructed in the fields housed the miraculous statue for some time. However, pilgrims from Germany, Austria, Bohemia, and even Italy became so numerous that the Abbot of the Premonstratensians of Steingaden decided to construct a splendid sanctuary.

Trish Barrett (3 years ago)
Well worth a visit. I love this ancient little gem. Respectful awe a prerequisite.

Marek Grzywacz (4 years ago)
Small church from X-XI century with beautiful frescoes from that period.

George Papadopoulos (4 years ago)
Very nice church and restaurant

Sussana Stathi (4 years ago)
Clean and friendly environment and very good food

Patrik Kovac (6 years ago)
Ok

Church of St. Mary of Panagia Katholiki

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Wieskirche