Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos of Aiani
In the heart of Aiani, you will discover the Byzantine Church of Dormition of the Theotokos, a monument whose history spans almost a thousand years. Dating from the late 11th to the early 12th century, this single-aisled church with its narthex and outer narthex once served as the katholikon of a monastery, of which the precinct, cistern, cells, and bell tower survived until relatively recent times. The church’s present form is the result of successive alterations between the 16th and the 19th centuries, reflected both in its architecture and in the different layers of frescoes you will discover inside. Particularly noteworthy are the surviving fragments of the original painted decoration from the 11th–12th centuries, as well as architectural features characteristic of the Komnenian period, including the distinctive trilobed openings and the sculptural decoration. Although the church is currently closed to the public, you can step inside on 15 August, when it opens for the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, offering a rare opportunity to experience this remarkable monument.
