Greece - Kalamata, Ypapanti cathedral

The Ypapanti Cathedral was built between 1860 and 1873 in order to accommodate an icon of Virgin Mary, which was found under the remains of an older church build in the same area. The church is officialle named Ypapanti tou Sotiros (Presentation of the Savior). The church was consecrated in 1873. The church is a cross-in-square with a dome and represents an interesting example of the neoclassical style.

On the location of the current church there was a Byzantine temple, which was destroyed by the Turkalbans in 1770. The later built churches were destroyed many times after that, either by intruders and a couple of times by earthquakes. The last time was by the big earthquake of Kalamata in 1986.

Nowadays the Ypapanti cathedral is completely restored and accessible again, offering some uniquely beautiful icons - the most prominent of Virgin Mary - and an amazing iconostase.