Church of Agios Andreas Doltso in Kastoria

The Church of Agios Andreas Doltso, also known as Agios Andreas Karidi, is located in the Dragota parish, within the traditional settlement of Doltso in Kastoria. It is a single-aisled, timber-roofed basilica, built in the 18th century and later undergoing some repairs in the following century. The church’s architecture is simple, featuring an open portico on the southern side, a characteristic element of post-Byzantine churches.

The church’s interior stands out for its impressive wooden iconostasis, which dates back to 1776, as indicated by an inscription on the icon of Agios Andreas. The iconostasis holds six large icons, all well-preserved: from left to right, Agios Charalambos, the Three Hierarchs, the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, Christ Pantocrator, Agios Ioannis the Baptist, and Agios Andreas, to whom the church is dedicated. These icons are fine examples of post-Byzantine painting, carrying significant devotional and artistic value.

The Church of Agios Andreas is an important monument of Kastoria’s religious and cultural heritage, blending architectural simplicity with rich interior decoration. The presence of the wooden iconostasis and its icons makes it one of the most intriguing churches in the region, showcasing the city’s spiritual and artistic tradition during the Ottoman period. Today, the church remains a place of worship and historical memory for the local community.