Church of the Holy Three Martyrs (Agoi Treis) in Kastoria

The Church of the Holy Three Martyrs (Gurias, Samonas, and Avivus) in Kastoria is a single-aisled, timber-roofed basilica dating back to the early 15th century. Measuring 4.30 × 5.60 meters, the church features a three-sided apse to the east and later additions of open porticos on the north and south sides, characteristic of the 19th century. The western side of the church was repaired during the same period, while the roof underwent partial restoration.

The interior of the church was originally fully adorned with frescoes, which were later covered with limewash, possibly after the liberation from Ottoman rule. Recent conservation efforts have revealed sections of these frescoes, including the donor inscription, dated to 1401. The frescoes, contemporary with the church’s construction, belong to the anti-classical movement of late Byzantine art during the Palaiologan period and serve as an important example of Kastoria’s artistic tradition in the early 15th century. The church also houses an icon of the Virgin Portaitissa, dated to 1701, which adorns the iconostasis.

Dedicated to the memory of the three holy martyrs, the church stands as one of the most significant Byzantine monuments in Kastoria, highlighting the region’s rich religious and artistic heritage. Its architecture and painting provide valuable insights into the art and history of the wider area during the Byzantine and post-Byzantine periods.