Byzantine church of the Dormition of the Theotokos (Kimiseos Theotokou) in Aiani

In the heart of Aiani stands the Byzantine church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, known as the "Panagia of Aiani," an exceptional monument of Byzantine art. Built in the late 11th or early 12th century, the church retains architectural elements of great value, such as the trifoliate windows and the brick-enclosed masonry. Originally covered with a dome that collapsed in the 16th century, the single-aisled church with a narthex and ex-narthex served as the katholikon of a monastery in the 16th century, as evidenced by the surviving foundation inscription.

The church has undergone multiple alterations and mural paintings throughout the years. The most significant restoration took place in 1596 when the interior was completely frescoed. In the 18th century, the ex-narthex was decorated with murals by Pano from Ioannina, and in 1877, Dimitrios Adam Pitenis undertook the restoration of earlier sections. These successive phases of decoration, along with the wood-carved iconostasis and later 19th-century additions, create a unique cultural palimpsest.

Despite the changes over the centuries, the church retains its original Byzantine character, and the successive interventions testify to its continuous liturgical and artistic value. Today, it stands as a living monument of the Byzantine and post-Byzantine heritage of the region, offering a fascinating journey through the history of Christian art in Western Macedonia.