At the southeastern end of Ano Polis is located the beautiful church of Agios Nikolaos Orfanou, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entering into a capacious verdant courtyard, you will see a strange building, which resembles a hut, with a higher roof and a lower one circumferential-built around it thinking automatically that you are in another era. Once you enter the church and browse the exquisite murals, you will understand that you have actually been transported many centuries ago. The church of Agios Nikolaos was built in the 14th century, probably as the main church of a monastery, and it was named after either the property of Agios Nikolaos as the patron saint of the widows and orphans or an orphanage that operated in the monastery during the Ottoman Empire. Some scholars argue that the current church was a chapel-tribute of the Serbian Milutin and not the main church of a monastery, based on iconographies of him and two popular Saints in the Serbian environment, Agios Georgios Gorgou and Agios Klimentos Achridas. As far as its architectural structure is concerned, it is a three-aisled timber-roofed Basilica with a cabinet around the nave: to the west it is framed by a narthex, to the north and south by two aisles, from which is though separated by a wall and not by colonnades as is customary. After restoration works, its iconographic decoration is preserved in a very good condition and is particularly rich given the relatively small dimensions of the church. Wander around its premises and admire the depictions of the Akathist Hymn in the northern aisle, the benedictive scenes inside the sanctuary, the life of Agios Gerasimos of Iordanitis in the southern aisle, the cycle of the Menologies and scenes from the life and miracles of Agios Nikolaos on the narthex. Whether you are fond of Byzantine art or not, it is certain that you will be impressed. Descending towards the town, make a stop in one of the most atmospheric coffee houses in the area to enjoy a cup of Greek coffee with a delight.
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