A conservation crew cleaned off the latest graffiti on the walls of the Byzantine-era Church of Panagia Kapnikarea in central Athens on Thursday.

The four-man crew removed the first layer of paint and careful restoration work will continue until the … anti-state inspired vandalism is removed.

Earlier, an announcement by the Municipality of Athens warned that the “tolerance of citizens, the city’s institutions and the Municipality of Athens is running short. The relevant bodies of the state should not continue to remain inactive.”

Over the last few years, Athens has become “graffiti central”. Just last week, graffiti “artists” spray-painted the historic National Technical University (Athens Polytechnic) and in the past there were slogans written on the walls of Parliament and the monument of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square.

The small iconic chapel was built at the start of the 11th century. Plans for its demolition were ordered in 1834 but thanks to an intervention by King Ludwig of Bavaria these were never carried out.