Inside the Chapel at Aegina Port: The Story Behind Zac Zorbas' Latest Painting

There's a small, double-domed chapel at the edge of Aegina's harbor that has watched over sailors since 1693. Built by craftsmen from Paros in the Cycladic style, the Chapel of Saint Nicholas Thalassinos — patron saint of the sea — stands quietly at the water's edge, brilliant white against the blue of the Saronic Gulf.

It's the subject of my latest painting, and one I've been wanting to capture for a long time.

A Place of Quiet Devotion

Oftentimes when I prepared to leave Aegina by boat, I'd stop at the chapel first. Something is grounding about that ritual — a moment of stillness before a journey. The chapel has that effect on people. It's been doing it for over three centuries.

Built in the 17th century by Parian craftsmen, its Cycladic architecture is unmistakable: clean white walls, rounded domes, and a simplicity that feels both ancient and timeless. It belongs to the harbor the way the sea belongs to Greece.

Painting the Light of Summer

What drew me to this subject wasn't just the history — it was the light. Summer mornings in Aegina have a particular quality: warm, golden, and unhurried. I wanted to capture that feeling — the colors of the port at their most alive, the chapel glowing in the sun.

The painting is oil on wood panel, 50 × 40 cm, completed in August 2026. It comes ready to hang, signed, and with a certificate of authenticity.

Bring a Piece of the Greek Islands Home

The Chapel in Aegina Port is available in three formats:

• Original painting — a one-of-a-kind oil on wood panel, handmade and shipped from Wisconsin.
• Canvas print — inkjet on textured cotton canvas, stretched on a wooden frame, giving the look and feel of an original
• Art print — open edition on premium 350 g/m² matte paper, signed and available with or without a mat

All pieces ship worldwide from Wisconsin, USA, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.