Agios Georgios of Politia
Three-aisled basilica, with a narthex on the north side. It is located a short distance from Agios Stefanos. The first phase of the church’s construction took place in the 11th century and concerns only a small part of the eastern wall. Other phases of construction followed, the most interesting of which is that of the 19th century. The church seems to have been renovated during the Turkish occupation, preserving the old sanctuary vault. During that period the church was considerably extended and the interior was decorated in the manner of the mansions. The roof is vaulted, supported by wooden columns and housing the high altar.
Here, in 1083, when Alexius I defeated the Normans, a capitulation was made by General Palaeologus III with Vryennios and those of the Normans who joined the Byzantine army were gathered. According to a manuscript by Grammatikos Papamantzaris, at the time of the first archpriesthood of Nikephoros (1841), Agios Georgios of Politia served as a metropolitan church. After 1843, Agios Thomas served as a metropolitan church, and after 1851, the current church of the Assumption of the Virgin. According to the same source, this church was used for the wedding and funeral ceremonies of the city’s rulers.
