Church of Agioi Anargyroi in Kastoria

The Church of Agioi Anargyroi, one of the most significant Byzantine monuments in Kastoria, is located on the northern side of the city, in the Eleousa district. Its construction dates back to the 10th century, while in the 12th century, it was renovated and redecorated by Theodoros Limniotis and his wife, Anna Radini, members of the local aristocracy, who dedicated it to the healing saints Kosmas and Damianos (the Anargyroi). The church follows the architectural type of a three-aisled basilica, originally covered by three barrel vaults, and features rich ceramic decoration. Its masonry, characteristic of Kastoria’s churches, consists of roughly hewn stones and bricks arranged in decorative geometric patterns.

The interior of the church is adorned with an exceptional fresco cycle, created by three different painters in the 12th century. The earliest frescoes, dating to the early 11th century, are preserved in fragments in the narthex, while the later ones, from around 1170–1180, cover the central nave, the sanctuary, and the side aisles. Notable elements include the donor portraits, depicting the founders offering a model of the church to the Virgin Mary and Christ, as well as scenes from the lives and miracles of Agioi Anargyroi and Agios Georgios. The frescoes belong to the "Komnenian dynamic style," characterized by intense drama and a rich color palette.

The church also features unique marble sculptural decoration, including twin columns, doorframes, and remnants of the original marble templon. The presence of donor inscriptions, burials, and a synthronon suggests that the church may have functioned as a monastic institution. Today, the Church of Agioi Anargyroi remains one of Kastoria’s most impressive monuments, combining Byzantine architecture and art while showcasing the city’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.