The Church of Saint Basil of Gefyra (Bridge) in Arta is one of the most important monuments of the Byzantine heritage of Epirus. It is located in the Top Alti area, a toponym that testifies to its proximity to the castle and the range of its cannons. The appellation "of Gefyra" was given to the church to distinguish it from Saint Basil in the market, as it is only one kilometer away from the historic Bridge of Arta.
The first recording of the monument was made in the 19th century by the Metropolitan of Arta Serafim Xenopoulos, who characterized it as the main church (katholikon) of a monastery. In 1632, it was renovated by the hieromonk Theokletos, and in 1821 it began functioning as a parish church. Later, in 1852, it was repaired by D. Vlachos.
The proximity to the Arachthos river caused repeated damage and floods, resulting in it being buried almost two meters underground by the 20th century.
The archaeologist P. Vokotopoulos recovered it in 1969-70 and identified it as a 9th-century monument, correcting older views that placed it in the 15th century. Although some scholars suggest the 13th century, the stonework and the simplicity of the decoration support the older version.
Architecturally, the church of Saint Basil of Gefyra is a cross-in-square type with three apses on the east and a dome with a conical roof, decorated with ceramic elements. The narthex on the western side and the prothesis in the sanctuary complete the layout. Small windows are visible in the side openings, many of which have been walled up.
The masonry is characterized by rough stone and limited plastering. In the 14th or 15th century, chapels dedicated to Saint Gregory and Saint John Chrysostom were added, giving the church a tripartite form. The roof is double-pitched, with a pronounced eastern gable that recalls other monuments of the Despotate of Epirus.
The interior is decorated with frescoes from four periods. Important works are the 13th-century depictions in the sanctuary (bema), the figure of Saint Basil on the south wall from the 16th century, as well as later depictions of saints and scenes such as the Baptism of Christ.
The hagiographies capture the evolution of art and constitute valuable evidence for Byzantine and post-Byzantine painting.
The church was not only a place of worship but also a spiritual center. In 1662, the School of Manolakis was founded in its courtyard, thanks to a donation by the merchant Philippos Manolakis from Kastoria.
The school operated until 1821 and constituted a beacon of knowledge, with teachers such as Sophronios Lichoudis and Gerasimos Palladas. During the 20th century, restoration work was carried out by A. Orlandos, confirming the great importance of the monument.
Access to the church is easy, as it is located a few minutes from the center of Arta and close to the historic bridge. For the visitor, the experience combines historical interest with a sense of spiritual serenity. The feast days of Saint Basil on January 1st, as well as those of the saints of the chapels, gather a crowd of faithful.
