Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Samarina
Another important ecclesiastical monument, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, stands in Samarina before a lush, forested hillside. Originally, it probably served as a cemetery church and dates to the late 18th century. It classifies as the composite cross-in-square church type with four columns; instead of a dome, it has a “blind” hemispherical vault, arches and smaller barrel vaults. It has two entrances and a pitched roof. The carved stone reliefs of the apse, featuring crosses, double-headed eagles and other motifs, attract attention, as does the elaborate carved decoration of the western entrance, an excellent example of local folk art. On the inside, the church is fully covered with wall paintings which, according to the dedicatory inscription, were created in 1819 by the Samarina painters Dimitrios and Michael Anagnostou and Priest Ioannis Anagnostou. The artistic richness of the work, as well as the evident Western influences from Baroque and Rococo styles, compose one of the most noteworthy examples of local painting. The Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour is an invaluable cultural and religious treasure, worthy of discovery.
