1Stop 1 of 7
Panagia Varaba
Church
North Markopoulo
Photo 1 of 3
Twelfth- to thirteenth-century domed, free-cross church with wall paintings from several periods.
5 km to the next stop
Heritage
Painted churches of the Mesogeia
Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches around Markopoulo, from thirteenth-century wall paintings in the fields to the 1767 paintings in town.
- Half day
- 7 stops
- 9.3 km end to end
- 7 with audio
The countryside around Markopoulo keeps a close group of painted churches. Panagia Varaba is a domed church of the twelfth to thirteenth century; Panagia Merenda was built over the central aisle of an earlier basilica; the Taxiarches at Liada and Agios Georgios at Kadi preserve thirteenth-century paintings.
The day ends in town, where Agia Paraskevi and Agia Thekla stand side by side near the square, with paintings by Georgios Markou and dated to 1767.
Half day · 7 stops · 9.3 km end to end
The route
2Stop 2 of 7
Panagia Merenda
Church
Merenda, Markopoulo
Photo 1 of 3
Thirteenth-century church built over the central aisle of an earlier basilica, with successive phases of wall painting.
The enclosure and the church are kept closed by the archaeological service: see it from outside.
1.4 km to the next stop
3Stop 3 of 7
Agios Georgios at Kadi
Church
Kadi, MarkopouloChapel with thirteenth-century paintings and reused ancient sculpture; the dating of its building phases is debated.
The enclosure can be visited; the keys to the interior were kept at the church of Agios Ioannis (2009 information).
1.4 km to the next stop
4Stop 4 of 7
Taxiarches at Liada
Church
Liada, Markopoulo
Photo 1 of 2
Byzantine domed church in the Liada area, preserving thirteenth-century wall paintings.
150 m to the next stop
5Stop 5 of 7
Frankish Tower of Liada
Cultural site
Southern edge of Markopoulo
Photo 1 of 3
A medieval tower, probably 13th century, on Liada hill beside the Byzantine church of the Taxiarches.
The Frankish tower stands on the same hill as the Taxiarches.
1.5 km to the next stop
6Stop 6 of 7
Agia Paraskevi, Town Centre
Church
Markopoulo
Photo 1 of 2
Small post-Byzantine church near the central square, with paintings by Georgios Markou.
50 m to the next stop
7Stop 7 of 7
Agia Thekla Church
Church
Markopoulo
Photo 1 of 2
Post-Byzantine church beside Agia Paraskevi, with wall paintings dated to 1767.
Right beside Agia Paraskevi, near the central square.
Where to eat here
Distances are straight-line.
Before you go
- Half day
- 7 stops
- The route
- 9.3 km end to end
- Best months
- All year
- Audio guide
- 7 with audio
- According to the Metropolis of Mesogaia, Panagia Varaba and the Taxiarches at Liada are open, and Agia Paraskevi and Agia Thekla open for several hours a day. There is no published timetable, so allow for services.
- Panagia Merenda is kept closed by the archaeological service; at Kadi, ask at Agios Ioannis for the keys.
- The rural churches sit on lanes around the town; a car or bicycle is easiest. Distances shown are straight-line.
Next experience · Heritage
Brauron, from the sanctuary to the sea
The finds in the museum, the sanctuary of Artemis, a painted chapel inside the site, then the wetland path down to the bay at Hamolia.
See the experience