In Greece, you sometimes need to dig a little deeper to find that proverbial hidden gem. And given the number of archaeological sites this ancient destination is known for, that often means quite literally.
Now, we’re not talking about dusting off a shovel to find the best taverna in Athens (we’d be more than happy to just make you a reservation). We mean going beneath the surface to a place where the Mediterranean sun doesn’t shine and the secrets of Greece come to light. A place like Athens’ very own catacombs.
Which is where the newest episode of our video series Greece in 60 Seconds – Hidden Sights & Bites is taking you today. But don’t worry, you won’t be going alone, as Greece by Travelive’s Director of Sales, Kostas Sourvanos, and his team will be there to unearth its wonders with you.
One might think the only digging to be done in modern Athens is into a generous serving of tzatziki. As it turns out, however, there’s much more to be found beneath its bustling streets.
Just steps from Syntagma Square, hidden beneath the famous Agia Triada Church (Church of the Holy Trinity), lies an underground labyrinth that reveals centuries of Athens’ Roman and Christian history.
Discovered during restoration works in 1852, the hidden complex houses a fascinating collection of sarcophagi, ancient wells, mosaics, and inscriptions that quietly whisper of the city’s past as locals toast its present up above.
The Byzantine-era church itself is equally impressive. Dating back to the late 8th century, it has survived invasions, damage during the Venetian siege of 1687, and eventually became known as the “Russian Church” after being granted to the Imperial Russian Embassy in the 19th century. Quite the track record, if you ask us.
Now, after centuries spent beneath the city, Athens’ catacombs have officially opened their doors to the public in 2025, giving visitors the rare chance to step beneath the surface of the Greek capital, both literally and otherwise.
And if there’s anyone who knows how to guide you through them, it’s Kostas Sourvanos and the Greece by Travelive team. So, let’s follow them in.
Go Deeper
Athens in Layers — Quite literally built atop centuries of Athenian history, The Church of the Holy Trinity's foundations reveal traces of Roman ruins, an earlier 6th-century church, and possibly even an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Apollo.
The “Russian Church” — Though officially named Sotira Lykodimou, its “Russian Church” nickname takes on a deeper meaning when you learn that some of the icons inside were contributed by Russian migrants fleeing the 1917 Revolution.
A Byzantine Masterpiece — The church itself is considered one of the finest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture in the Greek capital.
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