Temple of Agios Stefanos in Arnea

The bell tower of Agios Stefanos is one of the most characteristic places of Arnea. However, the church itself is a unique triptych, functioning as a place of worship, an archaeological site, and a museum, showcasing its findings in an interesting and original way.

The temple was built in 1812, as attested by the marble inscription on its facade. It was destroyed during the Greek Revolution of 1821, along with the entire village, but it was rebuilt from its foundations by the returning inhabitants. The second major destruction occurred in 2005 when a fire burned almost everything inside. During the reconstruction, the Archaeological Service discovered a series of artifacts beneath the burnt temple, turning it into a valuable source of information about the history of the entire region.

The excavation revealed a section of a tripartite Early Christian basilica from the 5th century, a Byzantine temple from the 10th century, 16th-century wall paintings, as well as tombs dating from the Early Christian period to the post-Byzantine era. Coins, pottery, marble and glass vessels, and religious objects, all serve as evidence of the temple's journey through time, which became known after the great fire. Visitors can admire the findings displayed in showcases and walk "over" the discovered spaces, as the renovated floor features special transparent panels that allow visual access.