Monastiraki Square is named for the Church of the Pantanassa, the 10th-century katholikon (central church building) of a women’s monastery. The church is dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos (a title of Mary, mother of Jesus). The other buildings of the monastery complex were arranged around the katholikon. The nuns made hand-woven textiles and sold them in a nearby market. The monastery was also open to impoverished women who stayed here and contributed to the production of the fabrics. The construction of the metro station in the late nineteenth century resulted in the demolition of all the monastery buildings except for the church. The square has always been popular with hawkers and street performers.