Agios Nikolaos Church

The modern church of Agios Nikolaos was built on the site of an earlier smaller one, which had been designed by the Bavarian architect C. Lorenzen in 1844, as the simple single-aisled basilica in the settlement of Hydraioi did not meet the needs of the population. In 1851 a second church was built, while in 1879 it was decided for a new (third) church based on plans to be built by I. Lazarimos. Thus, he followed the standards that had been adopted by architects in other European cities, such as Paris, Berlin and Vienna, combining them with the design of Greek Neoclassicism. The temple was founded in 1879 and was completed in 1902. It typologically belongs to the category of the cruciform inscribed four-columned churches, with elements from the neoclassical style, such as the three monumental gateways (on the west, north and south sides), referring to a small ancient Greek temple. On either side of the narthex, to the west, rise two belfries. The shape of the dome is of great interest, since it required special construction techniques. The facade with the signature of I. Lazarimos and P. Zizilas (December 1, 1885) is preserved from the study plans of the church.