Παναγία Χρυσοσπηλιώτισσα

Panagria Hrysospiliotissa - Chapel of Our Lady of the Cavern


Useful Information

Location: Athens, in the Akropolis area. Under the Temple of Dionyso. From the Theatre of Dionysos follow the path east of the Asclepieion.
(37° 58' 15" N, 23° 43' 39" E)
Open: Akropolis: All year daily 8-20, last entry 19:30.
Closed 01-JAN, 25-MAR, 01-MAY, 25-DEC, 26-DEC, Easter Sunday.
[2020]
Fee: Adult EUR 20, Reduced EUR 10.
[2020]
Classification: SubterraneaCave Church
Light: bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography: J.M. Hurwit (1999): The Athenian Acropolis : history, mythology, and archaeology from the Neolithic era to the present, Cambridge 1999.
Address: Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, Athens, Tel: +30-210-9238747, Fax: +30-210-9239023. E-mail:
Αρχιφυλακείο Αρχαιολογικού Χώρου Ακροπόλεως (Archaeological Site of the Acropolis), Tel: +30-210-3214172, Fax: +30-210-3214173.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

320 BC Choragic Monument of Thrasyllos errected.
1986 inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Description

Located in the area of the famous Acropolis in Athens lies a small Christian cave church, which most visitors will never see. The small cave in the hill face was dug in 320 BC to host the Choragic Monument of Thrasyllos, a temple dedicated to Dionysos. It is easy to locate, as above the cave church two remaining Ionic columns can be seen. The temple was transformed into the Panagia Hrysospiliorisse (Chapel of Our Lady of the Cavern) in the Christian era. It is located above the Theatre of Dionysos at the foot of the Acropolis. At the top of the seats, about in the middle, a rocky path leads to the cavern in the cliff face.

This tiny place has very old pictures and icons on the walls and is still worshipped. It's open only on 15 August, the day of the Dormition of the Virgin.