Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens is the main Greek Orthodox cathedral of Athens and the seat of the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. Construction took place in the mid 19th century, largely completed between 1842 and 1862.

The cathedral functions as the focal point for national religious ceremonies and major Orthodox services. Its urban setting and large scale make it a frequent stop for those interested in modern Greek ecclesiastical architecture and Orthodox liturgy.

Built in the mid 1800s for the newly independent Greek state, the cathedral replaced several earlier churches on the site and has served as the city’s principal episcopal church since its completion. The building has been maintained and refurbished periodically but retains its 19th-century core structure.

Sited on Mitropoleos Street in central Athens, the cathedral occupies Mitropoleos Square in the historic center of the city, within easy walking distance of archaeological sites and the commercial districts of Monastiraki and Ermou.

• Visiting tip: Best seen outside major liturgies to view the interior artwork and icons without crowds.
• Location note: Located immediately on Mitropoleos Street, it is within short walking distance of other central Athens sites such as Monastiraki and Syntagma.