The small chapel of Agios Nikolaos Thon, located near the corner of Alexandras and Kifissias Avenues, reopened on Sunday.
“Agios Nikolaos regains the glory it had when it was erected by its founder Nikolaos Thon. Many articles have been written in the daily press over time about its poor condition, as well as numerous protests from the locals. Today, thanks to the Services of the Ministry of Culture, we dedicate Agios Nikolaos, on the day of his celebration, fully restored in the city,” Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni said.
The restoration which totalled €550,000, was financed by the Attiki regional business program. Works were under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, particularly its divisions of Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, and Maintenance of Ancient and Modern Monuments.
Its restoration had been a long-standing demand of residents of the area.
The chapel is a rare example of 19th century architecture. It contains al secco wall paintings, wooden-cased windows, and stained glass windows that were believed to have been brought from Russia by Thon.
An image of the Christ Pantokrator is on the dome, and the chapel also contains a wooden iconostasis.
The church which was built according to the plans of architect Anastasios Metaxas, was inaugurated on March 26, 1895.
“Today we are turning over the chapel of St. Nicholas Thon, lit externally, highlighting a rare monument that was left destroyed and invisible for many decades,” the Ministry of Culture said.
