Church of Agios Georgios tou Vounou in Kastoria

The Church of Agios Georgios tou Vounou, one of the significant Byzantine churches of Kastoria, is located in the Varlaam district, at the foothills of Mount Agios Athanasios. The name "tou Vounou" (meaning "of the Mountain") derives from its location, and the church dates to the second half of the 14th century. It is a small, single-aisled basilica with a narthex on the western and southern sides, where the main entrance is located. Its construction is simple, with stone masonry and mud mortar, a characteristic feature of Kastoria’s monuments from that period.

The interior of the church is adorned with rich frescoes from the second half of the 14th century, depicting scenes from major feasts, the Passion of Christ, and the martyrdoms of saints and apostles. A particularly noteworthy element is the depiction of Agios Grigorios Palamas, which is possibly one of the earliest representations in the Western Macedonia region. This reflects the esteem in which the people of Kastoria held the saint, even before his official canonization. The church’s narthex also contains frescoes from the 17th century, dated based on inscriptions.

The church has undergone restoration work by the Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities of Kastoria, aiming to preserve and highlight the monument. Today, the Church of Saint George tou Vounou remains one of the city's important Byzantine churches, combining the architecture and art of the late Byzantine period and offering valuable insight into Kastoria’s spiritual and cultural heritage.