Omorfi Eglisia Aegina
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Omorfi Elklisia - Aegina Island - Greece

Omorfi eklesia, the "beautiful church",
is a tiny 13th century chapel. Located just outside Aegina town in the area of Asomati. It is kept locked. If you want to visit the church contact the Aegina museum.

The church, perhaps the most important surviving church of Aegina, is built of stones from ancient  buildings. Over the door is a tympanum on which formerly sood the saint's icon.  An inscription inside the church above the door to the left indicates that it was built in 1282. The interior of the church is covered  with frescos in reasonably good condition,  although many of the figures have had their eyes gouged out. The frescos may easily been seen because the ceiling is low, and if the church is visited in the late afternoon the sunlight comes directly in through the door, illuminating them will.

Particular emphasis has been place on the Crucifixion, above the door, and on the Ascension on the arch above the entrance to the bema. In general, the figures on the wall paintings inside this church are Semitic in appearance; short with large heads, thick eyebrows, and highly emphasized eyes.