GREECE ATTICA ATTICA DAPHNI

In Daphni, only 10 km outside of Athens and still within its suburban area, lies the Monastery that goes back to the 6th century AD. Its name is derived from the temple of Apollo Daphnephoros, which was situated here, on the ancient Sacred Way about half-way between Athens and the sanctuary of Demeter at Eleusis.

The architecture of a cross-in-square church of the octagonal type that we see today dates to about 1080 AD, with a gothic exonarthex being added in the 12th century.

Except for the interesting architecture, the curch is very notable because of its superb mosaics, excellent specimen of Middle Byzantine art in the 11th century.