Ο παραθαλάσσιος Ναός του Αγίου Δημητρίου στη Θεσσαλονίκη

Abstract

This essay presents an archaeological and historical study of the church, which existed at the site of Thessaloniki’s present cathedral. This church, which was totally destroyed by the fire of 1890, was dedicated to Saint Demetrios and was the city’s cathedral for a period of time during the Turkish occupation. Unfortunately little information about this monument, which seemed to be of great importance, is available.

After considering all of the known historic elements connected with the church the following conclusions can be made. The church was probably built at the end of the 13th or at the beginning of the 14th century in the form of a three aisled basilica, and at first it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. After the transformation of the well known early Christian basilica of Saint Demetrios to a mosque (1491) the church was named in the Saint’s honor. It was after Rotonda’s transformation to a mosque (1590) that it became the city’s cathedral, and remained so untili its destruction (1890). At the end of the 17th century, the building began to collapse, and quick, impromptu and extensive restorations were carried out. It was then that the church took its final form as described to us by 19th century historians. According to these historians, Saint Demetrios’ church was a long and wide three aisled basilica with a low timber gabled roof. It probably possessed a «gynaeconites» and an exonarthex. A domed space, in which ancient manuscripts were kept, existed underground beneath the bema. The church was built with cheap material together with pieces of ancient buildings and its exterior was plain. How­ ever many precious historic treasures such as the relic of Saint Gregorios Palamas, the patriarch’s throne and the byzantine icon of Saint Demetrios were kept in it.