The Church of Panagia Paraportiani is the most popular church of the whole island of Mykonos

The Church of Panagia Paraportiani is situated in the neighborhood of Kastro, in the town of Chora, of the Greek island of Mykonos.

The church’s name means “Our Lady of the Side Gate”, which it was to the Medieval stone walls which encircled the area.

It is one of the most famous architectural structures in Greece.

Some parts of this beautiful church date from 1425 and the rest was built during the 16th and 17th centuries. Photo Credit

 

It is a two-storey building consisting of five churches, four on the lower floor and one on top. Photo Credit

Construction of this church started in 1425 and was not completed until the 17th century.

This impressive, whitewashed church actually consists of five separate churches which are joined.

The four churches are at ground level and together constitute the base of the fifth church that has been built above them.

The special thing about this church is that it actually consists of five small churches that were built one on top or next to the other. Photo Credit

The four churches were dedicated to Saint Eustathios, Saint Sozon, Saints Anargyroi and Saint Anastasia.

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They are in different architectural styles, mixing Byzantine, vernacular, traditional and western style.

The oldest of the four is Saints Anargyroi, which was built in the late 14th century.

The other churches were built in the 16th and 17th centuries, and by 1920 the building underwent several renovations.

One of the most famous architectural structures in Greece. Photo Credit

Today, the complete church is considered a leading example of traditional vernacular Cycladic architecture.

Today presents a formidable sight on the cornice above the city and can be seen from miles. Photo Credit

The church is notable for an almost complete absence of external decoration and the low, large dome above almost merges with the church roof, lending the whole building an air of solidity.

This is the most popular and most photographed of the 400 churches on the whole island of Mykonos. Photo Credit

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This is the most popular and most photographed of the 400 churches on the whole island of Mykonos. The church is an icon of both the Cyclades and the Greek islands in general.