The Metropolitan Holy Church of Saint Basil is considered the symbol of Tripoli. It is a singular ecclesiastical monument of significant historical and artistic value. Architecturally it belongs to the type of cross-in-square church with dome, with three-sided apse. The revetment of the exterior with white marble from Doliana endows it with a particular majesty. In all probability the church was built on the site of an earlier one, which was demolished totally during the invasion of Ibrahim in May 1825. On 6 November 1855, the foundation stone was laid for the new church, the costly construction of which was completed 30 years later. The official consecration (enkainia) took place on 3 June 1884. In 1925 a Swiss clock – the first imported to Greece – was installed in one belfry of the church. A major fire in 1995 caused considerable damage to the building. Since then, with the assistance of the Holy Metropolis, the population and numerous donors, diverse works for its restoration have been carried out.
