Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos
The history of the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Velventos resembles a fairytale. In 1804, the Sultan agreed to grant permission for its construction under three conditions: a pre-existing church on the same site, a four-time larger in size new construction, and the completion of the main part of the church within 40 days. It appears that the Sultan’s conditions were—strangely enough—fulfilled, and a beautiful basilica made out of stone and wood was eventually built at this location. During your visit, observe the icons and woodcarvings completed in 1807 (the year of the church’s official inauguration), as well as the interior frescoes (dating from 1804 to 1813) with an evident Western influence. Do not miss the carved wooden iconostasis, the pulpit, the bishop’s throne, the proskynitari (icon stand) and the ciborium of the Holy Altar, all outstanding examples of 19th-century woodcarving art. A distinctive feature of the church is the 12 inverted clay jars on the ceiling, which—although seemingly strange—were placed there to enhance the building’s acoustics. The Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos is a deeply devotional space and, at the same time, an excellent monument of artistic creation of its time, ranking among the top attractions of your journey.
