Church of Palaiopanagia, view from W. (Photograph by Ch. Kontogeorgopoulou)
Church of Palaiopanagia, view from W. (Photograph by Ch. Kontogeorgopoulou)
The three-sided northern conch. Refined cloisonne masonry on the upper part as well as the double-light window with horizontal and vertical bricks on the arch and in the elevated arches of the lights. (Photograph by Ch. Kontogeorgopoulou)
The three-sided northern conch. Refined rubble masonry on the lower part. (Photograph by Ch. Kontogeorgopoulou)
Church of Palaiopanagia, N conch. Archangel Michael. (Photograph by Ch. Kontogeorgopoulou)

Palaiopanagia, Kantza

Area: Kantza, Pallini
Type: Triconch or Tetraconch
Date: 12th century

Description:

The church is located in the north of Paiania, around three kilometers away from Lavriou avenue (that is the road leading from Stavros to Paiania). It is a small, aisleless, barrel-vaulted church dated to the years of the Turkish domination. However, it is an older triconch or tetraconch church. Nowadays, only its northern conch is preserved incorporated into the newer barrel-vaulted church. This three-sided conch is in very good condition (apart from the ruined cornice). It has rubble masonry with ancient bricks on the lower parts and cloisonné masonry higher. The window is double-light with horizontal and vertical bricks on the arch and in the elevated arches of the lights. All the above-mentioned traits confirm that the church is dated to the 12th century. Consequently, the oldest church, which must have included the conch, must have been destroyed during the years of the Turkish rule, when it was replaced by the present church. In the interior of the conch are preserved wall paintings, which belong to the Byzantine period, according to Professor Bouras. A representation of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is preserved on its higher part, while Taxiarchis is portrayed lower. Nevertheless, these wall paintings remain unpublished. The other wall paintings of the church are much more recent and are dated to the 18th century. Scattered ancient architectural fragments exist in the courtyard. The small church is not documented.

Bouras Ch.-Kaloyeropoulou A.-Andreadi R., Churches of Attica, Athens 1970, p. 234-235, Koder j.-Hild , Hellas und Thessalia, Tabula Imperii Byzantini I, Wien 1976, p.203-204