At the central square of Milies there is the most considerable sightseeing of the village. It is a sample of traditional architecture with special characteristics, remarkable frescos and an interesting history. The Holly Temple is dedicated to Pamegistoi Taxiarhes as well as to Aghioi Pantes. The exact date of construction is unknown, however, there is an inscription above the gate at the sideway of the temple that says that it was renovated in 1741.

The style of the temple is aisled basilica with twelve internal domes and it consists of a vestibule and the main temple. Externally, the temple constitutes a sample of the local traditional architecture and due to the Ottoman rule in Greece, it is built in such a way so it does not reveal the true nature of the building, without a belfry, windows, with a normal roof, in general there is no ecclesiastic sign.

In the temple, its two parts are known for the impressive saint paintings, with the one of Aghios Christoforos to make the difference. Aghios Christoforos was a handsome man, with a beautiful face which he sometimes hid by saying that it is the beauty of the soul that matters and not the beauty of the face , that is why the saint painter drew his face in the shape of a sheep. Moreover, in the main temple the extraordinary wood carved temple is distinguished, covered by gold leaf where there are carved in hand various animals, plants imprinting Noah’s life. In the vestibule a wheel of the zodiac attracts people’s attention which shows the wheel of life.

At the internal there are two constructional innovations. Beneath the floor there is a network of canals and wells that ensures the tightness of the floor as well as the reinforcement of the bass sounds. Respectively, at the base of the domes, there are integrated clay jars (with the mouths on the floor) reinforcing the treble sounds, keeping the sound in the temple in order not to be heard outside and making the whole construction lighter. The result of these constructions is the perfect acoustics of the space. In 2000 with the approval of the Ministry of Culture the Bach festival took place there, where vocal works of religious music were presented.

The church of Aghioi Taxiarhes has to present a considerable past since on the 8^th May in 1821, Anthimos Gazis raised the flag of revolution and signified the rebellion against the Turkish rule. The flag is saved up to this day in the public library of Milies, just above the square. An exact replica of the flag you will see in the Folklore Museum in Milies.

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The church of Pamegistoi Taxiarhes

The church of Pamegistoi Taxiarhes

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