Panagia Kontariotissa orKountouriotissa (Greek:Παναγία Κονταριώτισσα or Κουντουριώτισσα), formally theChurch of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Ιερός Ναός Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου), is a very well preserved Byzantine monument inPieria,Greece. "Kontariotissa" refers to the name of the modern community that originated near the church.[1]
On a hill on the northwestern outskirts of the village Kontariotissa, about 6.5 kilometers southwest ofKaterini.
Judging by the shape (morphology) of the building, it was built at the time of theByzantine Iconoclasm or earlier.[2] The construction is dated to the 7th century, structural changes took place in the 11th century and in the 15th century the building was restored. Parts of the exterior wall show various styles of stonework. The construction of the church is said to be related to the simultaneous destruction and abandonment ofancient Dion.[3]
The building has a cylindrical dome supported by four round pillars and has a chapel in the north and south. The apse, delimited by a carved woodeniconostasis, in the eastern part of the church, is bounded by a three-part window.Apse, dome and parts of the walls are decorated with murals. Nothing is left of the original decor, the visiblefrescoes date back to the 15th century. Some of the terracotta floor tiles are labeled "Dion". The early parts of the structure are similar to the basilica of Agia Sophia inThessaloniki.[4] Similar features were found in other Greek churches of the 8th and 9th centuries. Possibly the church was used as a monastery church.
40°13′47″N22°27′12″E / 40.229722°N 22.453333°E /40.229722; 22.453333