Church of St. Marina (Thissio), Athens

Resembling a layered confection and adorned with vibrant red-tile domes, this Byzantine-style church, erected in 1931 atop a preexisting 19th-century temple, stands proudly on the northwest flank of the Hill of the Nymphs. It neighbors the National Observatory, commanding a picturesque vista of the Thissio area and affording a delightful panoramic view of the city of Athens.

The church's murals, tinged with elements of Art Nouveau, are enchanting, but the true gem lies in the significantly smaller chapel nestled in the southeastern corner, hewn directly into the bedrock. Dating back to the 11th or 12th century, this chapel has been a revered site for health and fertility rituals. Historically, women would visit the church and engage in a tradition of sliding down a small cliff located adjacent to it, seeking to ensure a painless childbirth and the well-being of their unborn child.