church of panagia

Blue and white. Brilliant blue and flashing white, that is. Most buildings (also private houses) are built in this style here. And it is beautiful! The colours of Greece, they say; the colours of sea and sky, we see. Oh yes, most buildings are simpler - a white cube with a half-spherical blue dome on top. No bell tower also, this kind of bells-on-sight construction is also popular here. Yes, it is beauty in its simplicity. The inside is also great, with many decorations and icons. Just coming into the village with your car/bus, you have to park near the main square where this gem lies; and it is worth stopping and admiring it before diving in the bustling small streets of Oia!

Located right in the heart of Oia is this small beauty. Very beautiful details and the traditional icons all over the church. Well maintained and definitely worth the visit. You will be transported back in time!

You'll certainly fall in love with the magical Church of Panagia! Located at the very center of Oia, at its main square (known as "Caldera Square"), "The Holy Church of the Akathist Hymn of the Virgen Mary" (its full name) will catch your eyes immediately! Beautiful, simple and, at the same time, so peaceful and enchanted. The original church was built inside the old Byzantine Castle of Oia, just facing the sea, protecting sailors and vessels. It was sadly destroyed by the 1956 earthquake. Rebuilt on a more stable site, it follows the traditional cycladic architectural style, painted in white and blue colors, as many constructions in the Aegean Sea. Its interior, decorated in the orthodox tradition, displays precious icons, many brought from Russia. The Church of Panagia is also very popular with brides and you'll probably see some, in beautiful gowns, busily taking countless photos in front of it. Despite all the brouhaha at "Caldera Square", the interior of the church is quiet and touching, assuring certainly moments of peace and self-communion. Light a candle, say a prayer and feel blessed. Enjoy!

Very beautiful church that made taking a photo in front of it to add in my photos gallery.Beautiful colors and good architecture...

It is a beautiful small church with a lot of history and character. The garden is pretty and it is easy to drive up to it so anyone can manage a visit

This is a beautiful place that you must visit while walking around The plaza.Amazing to see how well preserved this church is.Gorgeous art! Impressive.Small, but great feeling when you stand there quite for few minutes.

Good location to visit. Architecture not over the top. A feeling of quiet reverence pervades the space. Light a candle for the world.

Well worth going inside to see this beautiful Greek Orthodox church. The interior is very ornate with amazing icons. These churches are so different from the Catholic churches and cathedrals that you see all over Europe. It seems like the Orthodox religion has maintained the middle ages style of art with the golden icons that adorn the front of the church. The outside of the church is so simple and the inside is extremely ornate. Well worth the visit.

This church is very beautiful, not huge inside (compared to a lot of European churches),but lovely. When we were there, a bride was having photos taken in the square outside the church, well worth a visit.Oia (Santorini) is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Definitely needs to be on your to do list.

I was really curious to see the interior of a Greek Christian Church. I liked the evolution and curiosities of this kind of art, their plain paintings and the one with embossings.

One of the churches that invite you to meditation, relaxation and upload heart and soul with positive energy.

"Walk into this church and stand in awe..." This is a special place. A place to reflect and admire the attention to detail. Definitely worth checking out whilst in Oia.

Beautiful icons. The church looks like everything else in Santorini -- white. But walk inside and you're shocked by moving into an ancient style. The icons in Greek churches are all stunning, but these are bright and relatively new. Not for people looking for ancient history, but beautiful.

The outside is very pretty. Inside, many of the paintings looked a bit too fresh to my taste but overall it is worth going in for a few minutes - a nice contrast with the overly touristy main street.

We stopped over for a relaxing break from the buzz of the main square of Oia. Our visit allowed us to fully experience the mystic and sacred atmosphere of the island of Santorini. Those old churches are eternal guardians of all people living at the mouth of an active volcano. It's worth the visit for a prayer or a meditative moment, before the visit to the steaming volcano on the islet of Kameni.