Listed 1137 sub titles with search on: Places of worship Churches for destination: "AGIA VARVARA Suburb of Athens ATTIKI".
ACHLADOCHORI (Village) SERRES
This church is a three-aisled basilica.
ADENDRO (Village) THESSALONIKI
AFETES (Village) SOUTH PELION
Work of the famous builder Dimos Zapaniotis from Epiros.
AFYTOS (Village) HALKIDIKI
The church of St. Demetrios was rebuilt in 1859.
It is a three-nave basilica with a wooden roof and an integral belfry. The church
of St. George was built in Lavriotiko in 1867, followed by the churches
of St. Athanasios and St. Nicholas in Liosi, on the ruins of an early
Christian church.
(text: Gerakina N. Mylona)
This text (extract) is cited November 2003 from the Community
of Athytos tourist pamphlet (1994).
AGALAS (Village) ZAKYNTHOS
The bellfry of the church at the village of Agalas.
AGIA GALINI (Port) RETHYMNO
The Byzantine church of the Panagia is in Agia Galini cemetery, overlooking
the beach. It is of rather unusual architecture with two aisles at right angles
to the main east-west aisle of the church.
AGIA IRINI (Village) KEFALLONIA
AGIA MARINA (Village) TITHOREA
Designed in 18th century
AGIA MARINA (Small town) LEROS
AGIA MONI (Monastery) VIANNO
The interesting Agia Moni is about a ten-minute drive from Ano Viannos.
The church of the monastery has a very interesting portal.
AGIA PARASKEVI (Village) KOURITES
In the village of Agia Paraskevi there is the Byzantine church of
the Panagia which contains some well-preserved paintings of good artistic quality.
One of the frescoes shows the donors of the church, a priest - Georgios Varouhas
- and a woman in black. The head of the priest is an exceptional piece of art.
The Panagia Church is in the middle of the village before the modern church.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
At the south entrance of the village is the church of Agia Paraskevi
and Agios Georgios. It is a two-aisled church but no frescoes are preserved.
AGIA PARASKEVI (Settlement) EVRYTANIA
AGIA ROUMELI (Village) SFAKIA
The Byzantine church of Agia Triada is closer to the Samaria Gorge.
It had many exterior rosette decorations, some of them surviving today. Two old
graves are attached on the outside walls of the church.
The Byzantine church of the Panagia in Agia Roumeli is a very important church. It is near the beach, after the end of the modern village and before the canyon becomes visible. The church is easily seen from the boats approaching from Sfakia. It was a very old, three-aisled basilica built with very large stones. Only part of the church remains today and the larger original church can be seen around the more recent Byzantine one. In the middle of the church there are traces of mosaics in white, black and red, with geometric motifs. It is believed that parts of the church had no roof. This is one of the earliest basilicas in Crete and the mosaic that can be seen today in the yard of the newer church, surrounded by the walls of the older church, may come from an even earlier Greek temple of the first century B.C.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
You may reach the beautiful Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos by way of a footpath going east from the village of Agia Roumeli. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the church on an easy path that runs beside the sea. The church is on the spot where Saint Paul reportedly baptised people on his way to Rome. It is a very picturesque small church, built on the beach using stones from the beach itself. This is why it is not easy to see the church from far. The church has cruciform architecture with an equidimensional cross and a dome over the centre and is in a superb natural setting. The church was built around the tenth century and the frescoes probably date from the thirteenth century.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
AGIA SOFIA (Settlement) LEFKTRA
AGIA TRIADA (Settlement) ARKADI
In the centre of the village of Agia Triada is the Byzantine church
of Agia Triada which contains some frescoes. The church is two aisled (Agia Triada
and Agios Nikolaos).
AGIA TRIADA (Settlement) MIDEA
Domed, cross-in-square church of the composite four-column type, with
a narthex and porches. The wall masonry is pseudo-isodomic in the lower section
and "cloisonne" in the upper part. The facades are decorated with a variety of
brick ornaments. The
church was built on a stone crepis and dates to the end of the 12th or the
13th century. The interior is decorated with Byzantine wall paintings.
There is no reference to the history of the monument, which is dated
only on the basis of the excavation data and its architectural form. It was probably
connected with the antiquarian archbishop of Corinth, William de Meerbeke. In
1691 it became the metochion (dependence) of the Monastery of St. Theodosios in
Nauplion, and was given over by Morosini to the bishop of Rethymnon, Athanassios
Chortatzis, who was in Peloponnesos at the time. The monastery must have been
destroyed during the firing of Argos by the Turks in 1825. Today it is the cemeterial
church of the village.
Excavations carried out in 1989 and 1990 have brought to light the
crypt under the sanctuary of the church, the stylobate of the the original iconostasis,
and the graves inside the naos and the narthex, dated to the Late Byzantine period
or to the Turkish occupation.
The church was repaired twice, in 1855 and 1912. Restoration of the
building as well as cleaning and revealing of the wall paintings is currently
in progress.
Several other important Byzantine monuments are preserved in the Argive
plain:
•the monastery of Areia near Nauplion (1149),
•the church of the Dormition of the Virgin at Chonikas (early 12th century),
•the Transfiguration of Christ at Plataniti, and
•the Dormition of the Virgin at Argos (12th century).
AGIA TRIADA (Archaeological site) TYMBAKI
Within the archaeological site of Agia Triada there is the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios Galatas which was reconstructed in 1302 and contains frescoes of the fourteenth century. In the north wall outside the church there is a grave with a relief symbol of the Byzantine empire, the double headed eagle, and the date 1581. The church also has a decoration of a carved melon and an ornately carved door. The altar screen of the church was built of stone. The bell has an inscription.
AGIA VARVARA (Village) MONOFATSIO
The church of the Profitis Ilias, at the north end of the village, is built on a rock considered to be the geographical centre of Crete. There are also nine churches from the Venetian era in the area indicating its former glory.
The church of the Profitis Ilias, at the north end of the village,
is built on a rock considered to be the geographical centre of Crete. There are
also nine churches from the Venetian era in the area indicating its former glory.
AGIASSOS (Small town) MYTILINI
Tel: +30 22520 22242
The church
is situated in the centre of the village Agiasos and is dedicated to the Dormition
of the Virgin. It is a three-aisled post-Byzantine basilica (32,20 x 26,20 m.),
with a marble templon made in the beginning of the 19th century and with wall
paintings dating from 1838. In the church's yard there is an ecclesiastical museum
with numerous remarkable exhibits from the area around.
The church constitutes one of the most important places of pilgrimage
on Lesbos. An impressive folklore festival takes place on the 15th of August.
It is at the small town Ayiassos. The name "Ayia Sion" comes from the old icon of the Virgin Mary, painted according to tradition by Saint Luke the Evangelist. In 803 AD -the period of Iconoclasm - the priest-monk Agathon brought it from Jerusalem, also known as "Ayia Sion", to the island. Agathon founded the monastery that soon became a pilgrimage and the nucleus of the town that formed around it. The present church was built in 1814 at around the time when the Monastery stopped functioning as such. In the courtyard there is an Ecclesiastical Museum with an interesting collection of manuscripts and valuable ecclesiastical items. It is one of the most significant pilgrimages of the island.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains image.
AGIES PARASKIES (Village) NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
Attesting to its former importance, this village has eight churches
in various states of disrepair. Of the eight, only Agia Zoni contains frescoes
worth seeing. The church also possesses some old icons. It is very near the centre
of the village.
AGIO GALA (Village) CHIOS
This church was built at the base of the cliff that holds up the village. The church honors the name of Panaghia Galaktotrofousa (translation: Milk Feeding) and contains the icon of the Virgin Mary. The church's architecture is an example of subsequent architectural developments of the octagonal type exhibited in Nea Moni. The church's interior was extended, thereby becoming useful as a narthex, however, the church leads to a spiral tunnel where there is a chapel similar to the central church. This chapel honors the name of Aghia Anna (St. Anna).
Church of the Virgin Agiogaloussena: Various WebPages
The church can be described as a small, basilica type, single-aisle church that has been built from local stone. A very large portion of its stone structure has come from an ancient edifice while the tiles covering the church's exterior date back to the Byzantine period. The church's interior still displays the well maintained illustrations and frescoes that date back to the 17th century. The wood carved iconostasis is in excellent condition and is dated 1711.
AGIOS ANDREAS (Village) KAVALA
This church is found in the Agios Andreas Monastery.
AGIOS ATHANASSIOS (Village) EDESSA
AGIOS DIMITRIOS (Settlement) ARKADI
In the village of Aghios Dimitrios, which is situated 10 km east of Rethymno on the road to Arkadi, the cruciform church of Aghios Dimitrios inscribed with a cupola can be found. It dates back to the 11th century.
The large and beautiful Byzantine church of Agios Dimitrios, of cruciform
architecture, has a large dome on a drum, several high blind arches for support
and decoration and there are remains of frescoes.
AGIOS DIMITRIOS PELIO (Village) ZAGORA-MOURESI
Agios Georgios
Agios Dmitrios
Agios Ioannis Thologos
The Tranfiguration
The Virgin.
AGIOS EFSTRATIOS (Island) NORTH AEGEAN
The ancient monuments that can still be found on the island of Agios
Eustratios are particularly limited due to the disastrous earthquake that devastated
the settlement in 1968. The most important and unique example of post-Byzantine
architecture is the church of St.
Basil (Agios Vasileios), which - according to the inscription plate - was
built in 1727 in the type of a domed basilica.
This text is cited May 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
AGIOS GEORGIOS (Village) GIANNITSA
Hidden by the very high karagatsi trees and out of the Turkish sight,
in the beginning of the 19th century, rose up the only church of the area. This
church was dedicated to Saint George and used to come all the residents of the
neighboring villages. During the Russian - Turkish war, in 1877, passing by groups
of Turkish reservists, burnt the church and all its holly objects. From some notes
that were written on religious books, we learn that within a few years, the church
was built again at the same place, but smaller and with the contribution of the
residents some books were bought (1885).
The internal of the church was decorated with icons, donation of the
residents, which the date "1898" is written on. The collection of money
during the years 1899,1301 and 1904 helped the finishing of the church, the name
of which changed, completely inexcusably, to Saint Dimitrios. In the church there
was a slab with a written inscription, which mentioned that the church was burnt
during the Russian - Turkish war and was rebuilt with the contribution of the
residents of all the neighboring villages. Both the beautiful woodwork screen,
and the entire church have been pulled down. In 1957, the village's residents
built the new church of Saint Dimitrios on their own expenses, at the point where
the Bey's lodging was.
This text is cited May 2005 from the Municipality of Megas Alexandros URL below, which contains image
AGIOS GEORGIOS NILIAS (Village) SOUTH PELION
Important religious museum.
AGIOS GEORGIOS SYKOUSSA (Village) CHIOS
AGIOS GERMANOS (Village) PRESPES
The church of Aghios Germanos in the homonymous village is dedicated
to Aghios Germanos, Patriarch of Constantinople, who according to the local tradition
died there and was buried inside the church. It is a registered cruciform done-shaped
church, founded a few years before 1006 A.D. Parts of frescoes dating back to
the 11th and 12th c. are preserved, whereas the whole of today's visible decoration
dates back to 1743 A.D.
(text: Andreas Andreou)
This text (extract) is cited October 2003 from the Prefecture
of Florina - Florina
Prefecture Tourism Committee tourist pamphlet.
It dates back to 1816.
AGIOS IOANNIS (Village) SFAKIA
The Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis has frescoes date from the fourteenth century.
The Byzantine church of Panagia has frescoes date from the fourteenth century.
AGIOS IOANNIS (Village) KOURITES
The Byzantine cemetery church of Agios Ioannis can be seen from the
village below the valley. The church contains some frescoes.
AGIOS IOANNIS (Village) IOANNINA
AGIOS IOANNIS (Village) TYMBAKI
The Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos is surrounded by a small cemetery
and is on the east side of the road. The church dates from the fourteenth century
and contains frescoes, the best of which are of the Evangelists. The church forms
a small cross with a large dome and has a smaller dome above the altar. It has
peculiar architecture since its narthex, which is located in the front of the
church, is as large as the church itself.
This extract is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
AGIOS ISSIDOROS (Beach) LEROS
The small church of Agios Isidoros on the bay of Gurrna
its a unique place to visit. The small chapel has been built on a small rock 50
meters about away from the land, you can walk though on the small dock and get
to the church. The view is amazing especially at sunset, its a perfect place for
daily excursions and walk across the gurna bay.
AGIOS KYRILOS (Village) GORTYNA
Between Plora and the Apezanon Monastery is the village of Agios Kirilos.
On the north exit of the village, the church of Agii Theodori is located on the
top of a hill. The church has a stone altar screen, supporting arches, and there
are traces of frescoes.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
AGIOS LAVRENTIOS (Village) VOLOS
Agios Lavrentios
Agios Athanassios
Agios Dimitrios
Agii Apostoli of Neo
Prophet Ilias
The Virgin of Souravli (country church , nearby the village).
AGIOS NIKOLAOS (Town) LASSITHI
In the sixteenth century, the Venetians gave the town its current
name, taken from the chapel of Agios Nikolaos on the peninsula of Limena. This
small Byzantine church contains rare frescoes from the eighth, tenth and eleventh
centuries and is a rare example of a Byzantine church built during the troubled
times of the eight century when the Arabs were pressuring the Byzantine empire.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
AGIOS NIKOLAOS (Village) KEFALLONIA
AGIOS PAVLOS (Beach) LINDOS
AGIOS PETROS (Village) LEFKADA
AGIOS STEFANOS (Settlement) MYTILINI
AGIOS THOMAS (Village) AGIA VARVARA
In the centre of the village is the Byzantine church of Agios Thomas
in the style of a three-aisled basilica with a narthex in front of the church.
The narthex is separated into three parts and is as high as the nave of the main
church. There is a large dome at the intersection of the narthex and the nave.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
The church of the Panagia Spiliotisa (Virgin of the Cave) has been
built within a cave of the mountain. Just outside the cave, on the side of the
mountain, there is an ancient Greek inscription of marble. Around 1910 two English
archaeologists secretly excavated a statue of a goddess which is now in Boston.
The small church of Agios Iasatos is both very interesting and unusual.
It has been carved from a large rock and in front of it there are the remains
of an ancient Greek temple.
The Byzantine church of Michael Archangelos is 5 minutes from the
centre of the village and contains frescoes from the twelfth century.
AGIOS VASSILIOS (Village) NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
Agios Vasilios contains a very old Byzantine church which was renovated
in 1291. In the church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos there are some interesting,
well-preserved frescoes by Fokas. The church belongs to the Sinai Monastery which
is near the village.
From Agios Vasilios you can reach the church of Agii Apostoli and
the Panagia. This is a Venetian church high in the mountains, near a Venetian
castle on a difficult road. The church is open and there is a relief of a coat
of arms.
AGIOVLASSITIKA (Village) PATRA
AGORIANI (Village) PELANA
Tel: +30 27310 61301
Cross-vaulted church belonging to the cemetery of the village. The
east part ends in a semicircular apse while to the west a narthex was later added.
A stone built ossuary has been added to the north of the church. The
painted decoration of the interior is preserved almost intact and is the product
of a fine provincial workshop, dated to the 14th century.
The roof has been repaired in the past and the restoration of the
wall paintings was recently completed. A project for the consolidation and protection
of the monument has already been approved and is going to begin soon.
Important monuments are preserved in the adjacent villages: St. George,
the Holy Apostles (14th century) and the Dormition of the Virgin (15th century)
at Longanicos. The parish church of the Nativity of the Virgin at Kastori has
an impressive wooden carved templon (altar screen) and is decorated with remarkable
paintings dated to the early 20th century.
AIDONOCHORI (Village) KONITSA
AKOUMIA (Village) LAMBI
In the village of Akoumia is the Byzantine church of Sotiras Christos
which contains good fourteenth century frescoes. The man with a red dress on the
south wall and the woman with a white dress in the west wall were the donors of
the church. Externally the church looks like two churches joined in one.
This extract is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ALAGNI (Village) NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
The church of Sotiras is in the centre of the village.
The Byzantine church of the Panagia in Alagni has cruciform architecture
with a dome in the centre. Outside the church there is an interesting old grave.
ALIKAMBOS (Village) KRYONERIDA
The Byzantine church of the Panagia is in the ravine below the Venetian
fountain. A small path starts near the road and leads to the nearby church that
is hidden by the surrounding trees. The church has interesting wall paintings
from 1316 by Ioannis Pagomenos that are in good condition.
This extract is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ALIKIANOS (Village) MOUSSOURI
The Byzantine church of Agios Georgios (1243) is near the Tower of
Da Molin, and has wall paintings by Pavlos Provatas.
The very important Byzantine church of Ai Yannis Kyr-Yannis (formal name is Zoodohos Pigi) is on the road to Koufos. It is about 100 metres from the road, set among the orange trees. The church of Ai Yannis Kyr-Yannis (14C) is a most intriguing and pleasantly situated Byzantine church. It was built on a tenth century church that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1303, and had been influenced by the new Byzantine architectural ideas from Agia Sofia, among others. The church has cruciform architecture and rooms of a smaller height complete the church to form a rectangular shape. It has a narthex in front separated into three parts which are shorter than the rest of the church. The church had two domes, one at the intersection of the main aisles of the cross and one in the narthex. Around the church there are blind arches of nearly the same height as that of the church. The windows of the church are narrow and long and have the familiar Byzantine brick decorations around the window. Some windows have a column with a column capital so that two spaces to the right and left are created for the light to come in. The back of the church is decorated by two series of windows and blind arches, one above the other. Inside the church there are remains of marble columns and column heads. Some wall paintings are still visible. The church is tucked away among the orange groves of Kydonia, from which the springtime blossoms' fragrance is exquisite--the snow-capped Lefka Ori complete the scene.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
This is a Byzantine church.
AMFILOCHIA (Town) ETOLOAKARNANIA
This church is found in the acropolis of ancient Limnea.
AMNATOS (Village) ARKADI
The Byzantine church of Agia Marina, exactly opposite the treasury,
has melon reliefs above its entrance door.
The Byzantine church of the Panagia and Agios Nikolaos is a two-aisled
church in a superb location within the village which has a view of the valleys
below. There is also an old grave in the church.
ANATOLIKI FRAGISTA (Village) EVRYTANIA
It was built in middle of the 16th century. Today's monastery chancellry is all that remains of the large monastic complex that was in the Sotira area. It was renovated in 1725 and features rare Byzntine style murals (1735). The temple is a wood carving dating from 1737.
This extract is cited August 2003 from the Municipality of Karpenission URL below, which contains images.
ANAVATOS (Settlement) CHIOS
The Church of the Taxiarchis (the Archangel) is still preserved. It is the only building which stills stands out amidst this living ghost-town.
ANDRIOLATA (Settlement) KEFALLONIA
ANEMOMILOS (Suburb) CORFU
Tradition has it that saints Jason and Sosipater were disciples of the apostle
Paul and propagated Christianity on the island. The church must have been built
in the 11th century. It contains frescoes by the famous 16th century Cretan icon
painter Emmanuel Janes.
Tel: +30 26610 39760
The
church is of the simple cross-in-square type on two columns with a dome. The
cloisonne wall masonry (stone blocks enclosed by bricks) is decorated with bricks
and tiles set in various patterns. Stones taken from ancient structures were also
used as building material in the walls.
The church was built in ca. A.D. 1000 in the area of Anemomylos,
by skilled builders coming from Attica or Boeotia. It was constructed on an older
catholicon (main church) of a monastery and was originally dedicated to St. Andrew,
and later, to Saints Jason and Sosipater. Of the original decoration of the walls
only a few fragments of frescoes have survived, dated to the 11th - 13th centuries
A.D. In the 17th century, the church was enriched with icons painted by the famous
Cretan artist, Emmanuel Tzanes.
In the years 1960, 1969, 1972, 1976, and 1978 the monument was restored,
the wall paintings and portable icons were cleaned, and the surrounding area was
remodelled.
The church still functions today, although it does not belong to
a parish.
ANEMOTIA (Village) LESVOS
The church of St George (Agios Georgios) at Anemotia in the province
of Methymna is situated in the lower part of the settlement. It is a small building
with a tiled couple roof and, according to its inscription plate, it was built
in 1702. The iconography of its wall paintings deviates from the established iconographical
conventions. The circle of S. George's martyrdom as well as the scenes of Apocalypse
are of particular interest.
ANGELIANA (Village) GEROPOTAMOS
Agios Antonios Church in Aggeliana has a narthex, an unusually high
dome with oval windows.
ANINATA (Settlement) KEFALLONIA
ANISSARAKI (Settlement) KANDANOS
In Anisaraki there is the church of Agia Anna with frescoes from 1462
and nine donors of the church are shown. The painted stone altar screen (iconostasis)
is also a rare feature in this church.
The church of the Panagia, with good quality, well-preserved fourteenth
century frescoes.
The church of Agia Paraskevi with frescoes from the fourteenth century.
ANO ACHAIA (Village) PATRA
ANO ASSITES (Village) MALEVIZIO
The church of Michael Archangelos is in the location Vlahiana, on
the east of the village of Ano Asites. The two-aisled church has well-executed
decorations in relief on the exteriors of the doors, decorative plates (rosettes),
and an unusual back window. From the church there is a good view of the valley
below.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ANO BOULARII (Village) ITYLO
ANO EPIDAVROS (Village) ARGOLIS
It is built in Ano Epidavros settlement, 4km away from Ancient
Epidavros. Built on the ruins of a 7th-10th century Basilica, which also was
built on top of an ancient temple that the ruins are still visible under the church.
The text (extract) is cited March 2004 from the Municipality
of Epidavros tourist pamphlet.
ANO MERIA (Village) FOLEGANDROS
ANO MOULIA (Village) AGIA VARVARA
The Byzantine church of Agii Apostoli is in the centre of the village,
has cruciform architecture with a dome in its centre and a large narthex in the
front of the church which is as high as the dome.
ANO PEDINA (Village) KENTRIKO ZAGORI
ANO SYROS (Small town) SYROS
The church of Agios Georgios, "Saint Georges",
is situated on top of the hill of Ano
Syros. It has been the cathedral ("mitropolis") of the island’s
catholic community since 1652.
It was built in about 1200 A.D. and since then has been restored more
than 3 times. In 1617, it was destroyed by the Turks. It acquired its present
appearance after 1834.
It boasts an impressive organ as well as exquisite frescoes and statues.
The icons of Agios Georgios and the Panagia tis Elpidas
are well-known and treated with great reverence. The portrait of bishop Andreas
Kargas, who was hung by the Turks, is worth a mention.
The Centre
of Historical Studies is situated at the back of the church.
Near to this church, one comes across the bust of the literary figure Velisarios Freris.
Agios Nikolaos is one of the two orthodox churches on the hill of Ano Syros. The second one is Agia Triada.
The historical church of Agios Sevastianos is situated at the foot of the hill of Ano Syros.
ANO TRIKALA (Village) TRIKALA KORINTHIAS
In Kato Trikala, the church of St Dimitrios, built in 1697, with its
impressive impressionistic murals of the 18th century, is of special interest.
The text (extract) is cited January 2004 from the Municipality
of Xylokastro pamphlet.
In Ano Trikala is the church of St Nicolas, dating from the 19th century;
it is the metropolis of the village, with beautiful murals and portable icons.
The text (extract) is cited January 2004 from the Municipality
of Xylokastro pamphlet.
ANO VIANNO (Village) HERAKLIO
Agia Varvara Church has only one good fresco, that of Sts. Peter and
Paul.
An older church, Agia Pelagia, (1360) contains many more frescoes
which are in better condition.
ANO VIRANEPISKOPI (Settlement) ARKADI
Agia Irini, also in Ano Viran Episkopi was the bishopric of Ario for
a period. Few marble remains of this three-aisled basilica are visible today.
A new church, Agii Anargiri, has been built on top of it.
ANOGIA (Small town) RETHYMNO
The church of Agios Ioannis is below the main square near the town
hall. One of its aisles still has pleasant frescoes although they are extremely
blackened.
ANTHOCHORI (Village) KARDITSA
ANYDRI (Settlement) PELEKANOS
The Byzantine church of Agios Georgios is in the village of Anidri
with well-preserved frescoes of good quality by Ioannis Pagomenos inscribed with
the date 1323. On the wall there is a list of the donors of the church. The church
has two aisles separated with arches in between, and it also has a transverse
aisle, thus forming crosses externally. The church is on the southern edge of
the village overlooking the coast of Crete.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
APODOULOU (Village) KOURITES
In Apodoulou there is the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios Xifoforos
(Sword-bearing) with an inscription of 1496 and frescoes by Iereas Anastasios.
The church is a single room with three blind arches on each side, better to support
the church and provide more drawing space. Agios Georgios has been painted on
his horse between two blind arches.
This extract is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
APOSTOLI (Village) SYVRITO
The cemetery church of Agios Nikolaos contains fourteenth and fifteenth
century frescoes and the paintings of the donor, the man in a strange white gown,
are shown. The church, to the right up the steps in the village, has a superb
view of the Amari valley.
This extract is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
ARADENA (Settlement) SFAKIA
On the edge of the Aradena Gorge is the fourteenth century Byzantine
church of Michael Archangelos, on the cliff overlooking the gorge. This church
was built on the ruins of a church from the sixth century. Although the church
is locked, its architecture is very attractive, as is its scenic position on the
brink of the gorge. The church has a cruciform architecture based on an equidimensional
cross. The church has a dome whose drum has narrow curved windows and also fourteenth
century frescoes, one of them depicting the donors of the church. The bell of
the church has an inscription and a drawing of saints. On November 8 the church
celebrates the feast of Michael the Archangel and is open to the public.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ARCHANGELOS (Settlement) ASSOPOS
In this church, with its modulated surroundings, at the coastline county of the Archangel, a mass of palmers rush in to it, on 8th November, the celebration of the Archangel, as well as the day before. Other celebration feasts follow, throughout the county.
ARCHONDIKO (Village) ARKALOCHORI
At the place ‘Prinias’, near the village Archondiko there is the church of Virgin Mary the Life-giver, with old frescos.
The church of Agios Ioannis (St. John) on the way to the archaeological site of Galatiani Kefala.
ARGINIA (Village) KEFALLONIA
ARGOSTOLI (Town) KEFALLONIA
ARGYROUPOLI (Village) LAPPEI
The Byzantine church of the Panagia of Barozzi is in a neighbourhood
with many old Venetian buildings and a pleasant view.
ARISTI (Village) KENTRIKO ZAGORI
Tel: +30 26530 41160
ARKALOCHORI (Small town) HERAKLIO
In the village cemetery there is the Byzantine church of Michael Archangelos.
The church has cruciform architecture and the transept is higher than the nave.
The church has a narthex with a dome, and decorated blind arches with columns.
Its entrance door has interesting decorations and there is an unusual melon relief
on the external wall. The church also contains frescoes.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
In the village cemetery there is the Byzantine church of Michael Archangelos. The church has cruciform architecture and the transept is higher than the nave. The church has a narthex with a dome, and decorated blind arches with columns. Its entrance door has interesting decorations and there is an unusual melon relief on the external wall. The church also contains frescoes.
The church of Virgin Mary in Arkalochori with old frescos
The church of Profitis Ilias built at the top of the hill where the ancient cave was found is a landmark of Arkalochori.
ARMENI (Village) LEFKI
In the village of Armeni is the Byzantine church of the Panagia with
relief decorations on the door.
ARTA (Town) EPIRUS
Photo Album in URL, information in Greek only.
Photo Album in URL, information in Greek only.
Single-aisled basilica
with two conched chapels, the south dedicated to St. Gregory and the north to
St. John Chrysostomos. The walls are lavishly decorated on the outside with patterns
in brick and tile. Two glazed clay icons were preserved on the pediment of the
east side; the first depicts the three Hierarchs and the second the Crucifixion.
They are exhibited now in the Byzantine Museum of Ioannina. The interior is decorated
with wall paintings dated to the 17th century.
The church is located in the old quarter of the Tourkopazaro, in Arta.
It was built at the end of the 14th century A.D. During the 17th century, the
"Greek School" of the scholar Castorianos Manolakis was established in its precinct.
The first scholars to mention the church of St. Bazil in modern times are the
Russian archimandrite Antoninos in 1886 and the metropolitan bishop Serapheim
in 1884.
In 1979 the frescoes were cleaned and restored, in 1980 the roof was
repaired and the masonry was consolidated. In 1991 the roof was reconstructed,
and in 1994 the electrical installation was completed. Today the monument is used
as a church but liturgy takes place only on the day of its patron saint.
This text is cited July 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
It is a small church built in 1770.
Tel: +30 26810 27533
Fax: +30 26810 28610
In the middle of the village is the Byzantine church of Agios Pandeleimonas
and the Panagia.
ASPRANGELI (Village) KENTRIKO ZAGORI
ASPROGERAKAS (Village) KEFALLONIA
ASPROKAMBOS (Settlement) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
This church dedicated to Our lady as “the fount of life”,
is a single-aisled building with a pitched roof and can be found at Asprokampos
near Perachora. Its walls
are built with ancient materials, consisting of isodomic masonry.
ASPROVALTA (Small town) THESSALONIKI
There is the icon of St. George dating to the 16th-17th century that the refugees from Asia Minor brought with them.
ASSOMATOS (Village) RETHYMNO
The church of Michael Archangelos, in Asomatos, south of Arhanes,
contains frescoes of a good quality and in good state of preservation dated 1315.
The donor of the church is shown with his wife (damaged) offering a model of the
church to Michael Archangelos.
ASSOPOS (Small town) LACONIA
The church is built of stone in the central square of the municipal par. of Asopos with Byzantine style specifications, it was built before 1900.
A picturesque Church on the East side of the County par, where, thousands of palmers are rushing in to, during the day of the celebration of its name and the day before (7th and 8th September). The Divine Service is followed by the traditional celebration feast in the village square
ASTRAKI (Village) NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
Τhe church of the Panagia has a unique relief of the Byzantine eagle
carved on the front and inside is a grave with an coat of arms in relief on it.
ASTRATIGOS (Settlement) KOLYMBARI
In the area of Astratigos there is the Byzantine church of Michael
Archangelos with attractive external door decorations, frescoes and an inscription
of 1387. The church of Michael Archangelos, which is beside the large modern church
of the village, contains fourteenth century frescoes and a beautifully carved
altar screen. One of the wall paintings is a rare portrait of Michael Archangelos
on horseback.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ASTYPALEA (Port) DODEKANISSOS
This church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built in 1853 and is found at the entrance of the Caslte. In the interior, there are an inscription dating back to 1413 and the shields of the Querini family.
It was built in 1790.
Panagia Portaitissa makes up the religious centre of the island with
the largest amount of homage. It began being built in 1762 by the blind Osios
Anthimos from Cephalonia,
who before building Panagia Portaitissa, had built the monasteries of Zoodochou
Pigis at Sikinos and Saint
George at Castelorizo. The
construction of the church lasted nine years during which according to tradition,
many miracles occurred.
It is dedicated to Panagia Portaitissa of the Iviron
monastery, a copy of whose icon Osios Anthimos brought to Astypalea. On the
15th August when the celebration of Portatissa is held, there is a grand festival
with violins and utes.
This text (extract) is cited November 2003 from the Municipality
of Astypalea tourist pamphlet (1999).
ATSIKI (Small town) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
ATSOUPADES (Village) KEFALLONIA
AVAS (Village) ALEXANDROUPOLI
4km W of Avas, there are at the place of mountain Zoneos. Rocky temple in cave. Walls and wall up iconostasis which is decorated with Byzantine wall paintings of11-13th century.
AXOS (Village) KOULOUKONA
The Byzantine church of Agia Irini at the crossroads below the cemetery
is from the fourteenth or fifteenth century and has cruciform architecture with
a dome with many blind arches. The windows and doors have carved decorations on
them. A melon carved in stone appears on the exterior of the church.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
Agios Ioannis is near the cemetery and has high quality well-preserved
frescoes and a mosaic floor.
AZOKERAMOS (Settlement) ITANOS
Before the entrance to the village there is the Byzantine church of
Agios Ioannis. The church is in the cemetery of the village on the left beside
the road and it has a unique carving above the door.
BOUKA (Village) AMFILOCHIA
CHALKI (Island) DODEKANISSOS
(Following URL information in Greek only)
Photo Album in URL, information in Greek only.
CHALKIDONA (Small town) THESSALONIKI
CHANIA (Town) CRETE
This is a two-aisled structure with a gabled facade. The base of a two-lobe bell-tower can still be seen in the yard. The door-frames are supported by chiselled pseudo-pillars and are crowned with gothic relief arches. In the interior, the vertical surfaces of the walls are separated with corniced arches. The naves are separated by two arches standing on chiselled pillars. The church dates from the latter half of the 16th century. It is dedicated to St. Catherine and St. John the Hermit.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Chania URL below, which contains images.
This is an idiorythmic architectural type of church with a wide-angled nave ending in an ornamental dome of Russian style. It is surrounded by a perimetric arcade. It was built in 1901-1903 by the High Commissioner of Crete, Prince George, and was named in commemoration of a visit to Hania by his sister, Maria, wife to George, the Grand Duke of Russia. It was inaugurated on 6th January 1903 in the presence of Queen Olga of Greece and Prince George. On his departure, the prince gave the church back to the Municipality and the parish of Halepa.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Chania URL below, which contains images.
This is a parish church in a district, in the Old Town, that bears the same name . After the conquest of Hania by the Turks (1645), it was the only church in the city allowed to offer holy services in the Orthodox religion until the 19th century. It is now used as the seat of the Bishop of Kythonia. The church consists of three parts. The arch-covered eastern part was built first. Later an extension was constructed on the west side, and a large nave was added on the north side. Finally, an extension was added to the south. Two icons, one of the Assumption of the Virgin and the other of the Second Coming, both painted in 1625, are of particular interest.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Chania URL below, which contains images.
The building complex of the Dominican Monastery of St. Nicholas, in Splantzia, was build in 1320 by the brotherhood of Candia. The original monastery, as portrayed in old maps, consisted of a church with a tall bell-tower and a two-floor arcade (chiostro) on the north side. The church is a basilica with a nave with an archaless, three part elevated holy sacrement area. The central part and the solum are covered by crossed domes with prominent ribs, while the side parts are covered by pointed arches. The roof of the rest of the church is made of wood and has only two sloping sides. An arched opening led from the nave to the arcade housing the monks' cells. Today only the closed court and part of the north side of the two floor arcade survive. In the years of the Turkish occupation the church was converted into a mosque, the Hioughar Tzamissi (The Sovereign’s Mosque), which was the central Mosque of the city. The Turks added a two-floor minaret on the south-west corner
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Chania URL below, which contains images.
A plaque at the entrance of Agios Nikolaos gives its history. The church was originally part of the thirteenth century monastery of Agios Nikolaos (the cloister is still evident on the north side of the church). The church of Agios Nikolaos in Chania was considered one of the most important in the city during Venetian times. It was wide and elegant with large pointed arches inside. The church was converted to the Sultan Ibrahim Mosque during the Turkish occupation. Today, although drastically renovated, the external walls and a long domed area separated in small sections on the north side of the church survive. The minaret of the Ibrahim Mosque stands beside the church of Agios Nikolaos and is in desperate need of renovation. During a mild earthquake in May 1994 it was feared that the minaret would collapse.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
The church is still in good condition on the North-west side of "Splantzia Square", near the church of St. Nicholas. It consists of two , arch-covered naves. The older one, in the northern section has no decorations whatsoever. On the contrary, the southern part was built with ashlar-masonry in accordance with the architectural style of the Venician Manierism. Under the cornice of the southern section one can see the following inscription : DEO O(PTIMO) M(AXIMO). ET D(IVO). ROCCO DICATVM. M.D. CXXX (Dedicated to the best and greatest God and the Saintly Rocco 1630). The church was probably built after a plague epidemic; St. Rocco was supposed to protect people from the plague.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Chania URL below, which contains images.
CHANIA AVLONARIOU (Settlement) KARYSTIA
CHAVDATA (Village) KEFALLONIA
CHAVRIATA (Village) KEFALLONIA
CHILIADOU BEACH (Settlement) EVIA
This is a Byzantine church.
CHIONATA (Village) KEFALLONIA
CHIOS (Town) NORTH AEGEAN
CHONDROS (Settlement) PELEKANOS
In the village of Hondros, is the Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi,
complete with frescoes.
CHORA KALYMNOY (Small town) KALYMNOS
CHOUMERIAKOS (Village) NEAPOLI
The Byzantine church of the Panagia in Houmeriako has very pleasant
cruciform architecture with a large dome on it. The dome has artistic blind arches
on it and there are also blind arches on the sides of the church. The narthex
at the front of the church has a side door.
CHRISTIANOUPOLI (Village) FILIATRA
In terms of architecture, it is the most important Byzantine church
of Messenia. It comprises two adjoined buildings, the church and a structure to
the west. The church is of the composite, octagonal domed type, distinguished
by the careful "cloisonne" masonry, decorated with large stone crosses on the
lower sections of the walls. The facades are plain, with very poor brick and sculpture
ornaments. Few fragments of wall paintings, dated to the 12th century, are preserved
inside the church.
During the Medieval period, the church was the Cathedral of the metropolitan
bishopric of Christianoupolis, which was established at the end of the 11th century.
The building attached to the west of the church was used as an episcopal palace
and possibly as a defensive tower in the Late Byzantine period.
The monument is dated to the 11th or, most likely, to the 12th century
A.D. The monument was half-ruined and restored to its present form in 1951. Today
it functions as a parish church.
Near the site of Christianoi, the following monuments are worth visiting:
•the traditional settlement of Kyparissia with the important castle called
"Arcadia", built during the Byzantine period,
•the small churches of Analepsis (13th century), St. George Bourianon (17th
century) and Panaghia Vlacherna (first half of the 19th century) at Philiatra.
In terms of architecture it is the most important Byzantine
church of Messinia.
It includes two buildings; the church and the adjoining to it building.
The church is of the compound octagonal type and it is characterised
by carefully constructed walls (brickenclosed system with big stone crosses on
the lower part of the long walls) as well as the austerity of its appearance (limited
ceramic and sculptured decoration).
In the interior, few frescos are saved which date back to the 12th
century.
During the Byzantine Years it constitutes the cathedral of the Metropolis
Christianoupolis which was founded at the end of the 11th century and was dedicated
to the Transformation of our Saviour.
The additional structure in the west of the church was used as an
episcopal manor and probably - in the late Byzantine period(1204-1460) - as a
defensive turret.
The monument dates back to the 11th or - according to the most - the
12th century and it is used today as a church.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Messenia Prefecture Tourism Promotion Commission URL below, which contains image.
CHRISTOS (Settlement) IERAPETRA
Near Males in the village of Christos there are also some interesting
churches, including the small church of Agia Paraskevi located below a spring
in a pleasant setting surrounded by large trees.
CHROMONASTIRI (Village) RETHYMNO
The Byzantine church of the Panagia Kera has cruciform architecture
with a dome on a drum. In front of the church there is a large narthex at right
angles to the nave and which is higher than the main part of the church. Between
the narthex and the church itself there are two supporting columns in the wall.
The church contains frescoes, the most interesting being a large painting of the
Virgin Mary. The church's location allows for a marvellous view of the valley.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
In the area of the village of Chromonastiri and some 12 km from Rethymno the single-aisled, cruciform and domed church of Aghios Eftychios is situated at the place of Perdiki Metochi. The interior walls are covered with frescoes dating back to the 11th century.
The Byzantine church of Agios Eftihios is a large church that has cruciform architecture with a large dome on the intersection of the nave and transept. The overall architecture of the church is cruciform. The back of the church has a window separated in two by a column. The interior of the church is very beautiful. It is decorated with bricks in the traditional Byzantine manner. Some traces of frescoes still remain in the church which reflect the so-called Macedonian style from Constantinople.
This extract is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
CHRYSSAFA (Village) THERAPNES
The region features a tremendous variety of churches many of which have remarkable wall-painting (frescos) of Byzantine or post-Byzantine periods. Situated in the village are the churches of Agiou Dimitriou (Saint Dimitrios), Koimiseos tis Theotokou and of Agiou Nikolaou (Saint Nikolaos). On the south of the village there is the church of Panagia I Xrisafitissa (Madonna of Chrysafa) dating back to 1293. Near this church you can also find the beautiful Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos (St John the Baptist).
CHRYSSOVITSA (Small town) IOANNINA
Tel: +30 26560 22312
To the west of Metsovo, at an altitude of approximately 1000 m., lies the village Chrysovitsa named after the historic church of Panagia Chrysovitsa. The current parish church used to be the katholikon of a monastery that according to tradition was established on the site where the portable icon of Panagia was miraculously found. Two inscriptions on the interior walls of the church indicate that the monastery was founded within the 13th century.
In its heyday, this was the richest monastery of the region. Today only the katholikon is preserved, dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos (Assumption of the Virgin Mary). The three-aisled basilica with the attached portico resting on four square pillars and the roof of dark schist slabs is a characteristic example of the basilica type of Epirus that flourished in the 18th century. The only absolute chronology established for the whole complex is the year 1781, to which date the wall-paintings of the katholikon. These were made by Ioannis and Georgios, sons of Athanassios, renowned painters from Kapesovo, an area which nourished an important tradition in religious painting from the early 18th to the mid-19th centuries. Visitors’ attention will also attract the wood-carved iconostasis and bishop’s throne of the katholikon.
Apart from the church of Panagia, other preserved features of the original monastic form are a few monk cells, fully restored today, one of the main gates to the monastery with its heavy oak door and the walls surrounding the whole complex, indicating that this was once a fort-like monastery.
CORFU (Town) IONIAN ISLANDS
A place of Christian worship in the Dorian style, built by the English in 1840.
It is a particularly interesting feature in the precinct of the Old Fortress.
It is dedicated to Saint George.
The particular points of interest with this church are its ornately decorated
ceiling and its wealth of icons, not to mention impressive ecclesiastical ware
and silver brought from the mainland opposite by Epirot refugees seeking protection
here from the Turks.
DAFNIOTISSA (Village) AMALIADA
DELIANA (Village) KOLYMBARI
In the village of Deliana, in Prodromos, there is the Byzantine church
of Agios Ioannis. The church has an incredibly elegant portal decorated with fine
reliefs from the grave of Venieri. The church also has wall paintings that are
very well-preserved and especially interesting is the head of John the Baptist
on a platter.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
DEMONIA (Village) ASSOPOS
There are two churches at the Municipal District of Demonia, the old church and the recent one, which celebrate on 24 September with a similar traditional local feast. The most recent church celebrates also on Agios Panteleimonas on 27th July.
DERMATIANIKA (Village) VOION
Agios Dimitrios, Profitis Elias and Agios Kyprianos Church.
DIDYMOTICHO (Town) EVROS
DOMATA (Settlement) KEFALLONIA
DOMIANI (Village) EVRYTANIA
This is one of the most significant post-Byzantine monuments, having made a valuable contribution to the Nation and to Orthodoxy. The church is dated as having been first built in the 16th century. The monastery has interesting murals from 1787, in the Byzantine style.
The Holy Water Font: In the NW section of the main church, a small quantity of holy water comes out at a depth of 2 meters from the floor, on the eve of the 15th of August, which spouts for 2 days.
This extract is cited August 2003 from the Municipality of Karpenission URL below, which contains images.
DRAKONA (Village) KOLYMBARI
The church of Agios Stefanos is from the first Byzantine period (9C).
The church is open to visitors and has interesting frescoes. It is a very old,
single-roomed church in the dark-green surroundings of tall trees and is excellently
preserved.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
DRAMA (Town) MAKEDONIA EAST & THRACE
The monument does not provide much information about its history since
it is half-buried in the ground, and almost all its surfaces, both inside and
outside, are covered with plaster; the anteroom and the bell-tower (formerly a
minaret) are later additions. It is a rectangular building with sloped roofs on
the north and south part, and an octagonal dome supported on a rectangular base.
The initial wall masonry is discernible only on the east side. The monument is
dated to the 9th century A.D.
The east side has been restored and the church functions regularly.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
Single-aisled, barrel-vaulted church of the Palaiologan period. A
staircase on the east side leads up to the fortress. The
church has undergone many reconstruction phases (1861-1892) but the walls
remain intact. The wall-paintings are dated before the middle of the 14th century.
Excavations on the south and east sides have brought to light part
of the city's fortification wall which communicated with the church by means of
a built staircase which led up to a tower-like section of the wall. It was also
proved that the church was later incorporated into the castle. The church does
not function today but the iconostasis and the wall-paintings have been restored.
DRAPETI (Village) ARKALOCHORI
Agia Anna and Agios Nikolaos is the cemetery church of the village.
It is a two-aisled church and contains frescoes from the fifteenth century.
DRIMISKOS (Village) LAMBI
In Drimiskos there is the Byzantine church of the Panagia which has
pleasing outside decorations and a stone carving in the form of a melon. The church
contains good quality but mostly white-washed frescoes. Remainders of an earlier
building are in front of the church.
DROSSERO (Village) GIANNITSA
The church of Saint George of Drosero is situated in the cemetery
of the village. It was built in 1863 in a building plot that belonged to an English
named Adot, when Metropolite of Moglena (Aridea) was Ioannis Rabatzakis, who later
was islamized. The church has been built in the Byzantine style and contains a
narthex and a place set apart only for women. There is a lapidary inscription
with the date "1863". Inside the church there are wall paintings on
the two architraves of colonnades. The icon screen, which is curved at Mount
Athos, has woodcut and written folk decoration and icons dated in 1863 and
1864. Plentiful decoration is maintained on the ceiling, on the narthex and on
the multi colored parapet of the place for women.
On the Beautiful Gate of the icon screen there is the date "1890".
Portable icons, books and relics of the second half of the 19th century, are maintained
on the Holy Floor area. Outside, it has been plastered with a thick layer of lime
and its bell tower has been pulled down. The first priest of the church was father
Ioannis Zavlaris. The church is preserved as it is and operates occasionally.
This text is cited May 2005 from the Municipality of Megas Alexandros URL below, which contains images
DRYMONAS (Village) LEROS
It is aisleless barrel - vaulted church with a large apse. On the
south wall, there is a frescoe depicting the Virgin Nikopeios and is dated in
the 14th century. From time to time, repair and consolidation works are carried
out. In 1993 the frescoe was restored, and earlier frescoe layers have been discovered.
It is a place of worship.
It is an aisleless barrel vaulted church with a semi - circular apse.
Along the north and south wall there are two blind arches. nly a few wall paintings
remain today of the church' s original decoration: on the apse, there is the representation
of Deesis with a dedicatory inscription. On the east barrel - vault of the northern
part of the church, there is the representation of the Annunciation and on the
south, the Crucifixion. In the main part of the church, on the east blind arch
of the north wall, there is the Virgin enthroned Hodegetria and four front saints.
The frescoes are of the 14th century.
In the apse, the dedicatory inscription, read by the historian M.
Gedeon, mentions the church' s renovation in 1327.
In 1991 an excavatory research of an adjacent structure, west of the
church, uncovered christian burials.
From time to time the church is restored and repaired. In 1991 the
external masonry was consolidated and the surrounding place was tidied up. It
is a place of worship.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
It is a rectangular shaped church with a blind cupola. It was built over the ruins
of an early christian three aisled basilica. It is a place of worship.
EDESSA (Town) PELLA
Three-aisled, wooden-roofed basilica, founded in the 14th century
and dedicated to Christ, the Wisdom and the Word of God. The north and south walls
of the church were repaired in the middle of the 17th century, while the narthex
is a much later construction, added in the 1920's. Parts of wall paintings are
preserved on the bema, on the walls over the colonnades, on the soffits of the
arches, and on the pillars. The earlier wall paintings are dated to ca. 1380.
Very impressive is the carved wooden iconostasis, dated to the middle of the 18th
century, with icons painted by Apostolis Longianos Vodheniotis (1761).
Extensive restoration work of the church was undertaken in the 1970's,
and the additions made in the 1920's were removed from the main building because
they severely altered the original form of the monument. A similar restoration
work is now in progress in the area of the narthex and is scheduled to be completed
by 1997.
This text is cited May 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
ELEFTHERIO-KORDELIO (Suburb of Thessaloniki) THESSALONIKI
ELEFTHERNA (Village) ARKADI
On the eastern side of the acropolis hill, reached through the village
of ancient Eleftherna, there is the Byzantine church of Sotiras Christos from
the tenth century, which contains frescoes of the twelfth century. It has cruciform
architecture and a rectangular shape. The church has re-used materials from an
earlier church of the sixth century, a basilica which is believed to have been
the bishopric of Eleftherna during the first Byzantine period. Lower still, on
the same dirt track, there are the remains of another basilica of the first Byzantine
period, a Roman villa, and of a second Greek bridge.
This extract is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ELEFTHEROUPOLI (Small town) KAVALA
This church is built on the place of an early-Christian basilica.
ELENES (Village) SYVRITO
In the village of Elenes there is the Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos
with pleasant wall paintings dated 1609 as well as old icons in the church.
ELEONAS (Village) SERRES
The church is located at Elaionas of Serres and belongs to the cross-in-square
type. It is dated to the 12th century but the narthex was built much later, in
1851.
The monument has always faced stability problems but its condition
was worsened by the earthquakes of 1985. Cracks appeared on the walls and the
columns were moved off their vertical axis. In 1986 the church was supported and
in 1990 a study for its provisional restoration was approved.
In 1990-91, work that took place (investigation of the transformations,
the removal of wall-plaster, cement injections, placement of a metal framework
to support the weight of the superstructure thus relieving the marble columns)
secured its stability and allowed its function again. Work also led to the revealing
of important Byzantine wall-paintings, under a more recent layer of murals dated
to the 19th century. In the future, it is planned to remove the upper layer of
wall-paintings and conduct additional work with the repairing of the crumbling
parts of the walls.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
ELEOUSSA (Village) RHODES
The fourteenth-century Byzantine church of with its interesting wall paintings, on the drive to Eleousa through the cool, green forests passes. It is believed that the hillsides here were once covered with hazelnuts.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Rodos Hotels Association URL below.
ELLINIKO (Village) IOANNINA
Tel: +30 26510 89236
ELLINOEKLISSIA (Village) ANDROUSSA
The church of Samarina of the Holy Mary the Egyptian is celebrated today in the name of the Zoedochou Pigi (Virgin Mary) and is Knowh with the popular name Samarina. It is situated near the village Ellinoklisia (=Greek Church) or Samari and was subject to the byzantine episcopacy of Androusa. As a building it dates back to the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century, about 1200 A.D. according to local tradition. According to one version it was built on the ruins of an older, idolatrons temple dedicated to the goddess rea. The shape of the church itself is cross-like while its dome is decorated with bricks and supported on two pillars and on the dies of the iconostasis. The four props of the arch, which bring the dome closer to the Holy Altar, while the architectural influence on the domed hemispheres is clearly from Konstantinopole.
This extract is cited Jan 2003 from the Messenia Prefecture Tourism Promotion Commission URL below, which contains images.
EMBORIO (Small town) SANTORINI
Grave monument in the shape of a small, square temple (4.18 x 3.59 m.) built entirely of grey marble. It is preserved intact, up to the roof, which is made of marble slabs and is supported by three monolithic marble posts inside the building. The entrance is located on the south side. A small niche inside the tomb, flanked by small Ionic columns supporting a Doric architrave, sheltered the statue of the goddess. The structure is dated to the 3rd century B.C.
According to the inscription carved below the niche, the temple was dedicated to the goddess Basileia and was used as a family tomb.
The monument has now been converted into a Christian church, dedicated to St. Nicholas and has been called "Marmarites" (of the marble) after the building material of the tomb.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
EPANO ARCHANES (Small town) HERAKLIO
In the church of the Panagia (by the clock-tower), from the fourteenth
century, there are interesting frescoes.
Byzantine monument decorated with frescoes of the provincial palaeologian style.
EPIDAVROS (Municipality) ARGOLIS
This built in the 11th century. The icons in the first stage and the sound vessels preserved until today, in straight line and in normal distances, bear witness to the beauty of these monuments. Older, at the East side of the shell of the sanctum, there was a wooden gong and a bell whose sound could be heard far away, as far as Aegina.
According to the estimations of some people, the graphic and remarkable Christian monument is a building of the 13th century. The temple gives the impression of a small church, but if someone enters in, he will realize the wealth of the icons around the walls.
EPINIANA (Village) EVRYTANIA
A Monastic complex built in 1550 on a precipitous rock. It is comprised of the Main Church with 16th century icons and two cells. It is dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin and it remains one of the many notable monuments of the Agrafa landscape.
This extract is cited August 2003 from the Municipality of Karpenission URL below, which contains images.
EPISKOPI (Village) CHANIA
The Rotunda of Michael Archangelos is here. The bishopric church of
Kissamos of the second Byzantine and Venetian period was this church of Michael
Archangelos (Rotunda) in Episkopi, Kissamos. Its shape is unique on Crete, and
it is rather close to a Byzantine basilica with a dome (rotunda). It has a very
large dome in the middle which dominates the church architecture. Externally the
dome presents a step structure, reducing its diameter higher up in the church.
The church and the surrounding bishopric buildings have exterior brick decorations.
Within the church, arches support the central space under the cylindrical dome.
The mosaic floor is formed from white and black pebbles, often depicting heart-shaped
leaves. The church has remnants of wall paintings. It may be closed for renovations.
In May 1994 excavations around the church revealed a Byzantine graveyard dated
circa 700 A.D.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
EPISKOPI (Small town) HERAKLIO
Within the village is the Byzantine church Agios Ioannis which contains frescoes. In particular, Agios Ioannis has very striking frescoes, especially the one of Christ ascending into heaven. Giuseppe Gerola (1900 Italian historical photographer) considered it to be among the best in Crete.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
Within the village is the Byzantine church Agios Ioannis which contains frescoes. In particular, Agios Ioannis has very striking frescoes, especially the one of Christ ascending into heaven. Giuseppe Gerola (1900 Italian historical photographer) considered it to be among the best in Crete.
The Byzantine church of the Panagia Limniotisa is located in the area
of Kefala, 1.5km from Episkopi, and contains frescoes from the eleventh century.
The single-aisled church has blind arches on the side of the church with brick
decorations, some frescoes, and a (collapsed) dome. A window in the middle section
has a column in the middle.
EPISKOPI (Settlement) IERAPETRA
The church dates from the twelfth to thirteenth century and it is
a very rare example of architectural decoration. The dome of the church is supported
on a drum which is decorated with nineteen blind arches using tiles. Four windows
open around the drum. The older part of the church is the former domed church
of Agios Georgios, but a later part dedicated to Agios Charalambos has been added.
It is believed that the church of Agios Georgios was associated with the bishopric
church of the Panagia on the other side of the road, and that possibly baptisms
took place there.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
EPISKOPI GONIAS (Village) THIRA
Not far from the village of Mesa Gonia, in the foothills of Prophet
Elias, is the Byzantine church of the Episcopate of Thera, founded at the end
of the 11th century by the Emperor Alexios I Comnenos.
It is an inscribed-cross, four-columned church with dome. Preserved
in the interior are wall paintings of excellent quality and a wooden, carved templon
(iconostasis), decorated in the technique of mastic wax.
This was the seat of the Orthodox and, later, the Latin Episcopate.
During the Turkish occupation there were disputes between the Orthodox and Latin
inhabitants of the island as to who should hold the property and oversee the running
of the church. Today the church gathers large crowds on August Fifteenth, the
day of its festival.
In 1986 work was carried out on the church by the 2nd Ephorate of
Byzantine Antiquities: the outside was repaired and the roof tiles replaced.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
ERFI (Village) ARKADI
In the centre of the village of Erfi there is the Byzantine church
of Agios Ioannis, which has some interesting frescoes in it.
ERIMOS (Settlement) ITYLO
The church, built in the 12th century, is of the two-column, cross-in-square
type with an "Athenian" dome and a narthex. The walls are carefully built with
the "cloisonne" masonry, and are richly decorated with ornamental brick bands
and sculptures over the windows. An arched bell-tower was later added and in its
masonry the sculptures of the older iconostasis were used. The interior of the
church is covered with plaster but wall paintings of the post-Byzantine period
are preserved on the north wall and the apse.
Restoration work at the foundations of the church revealed an ossuary
outside the external SE corner, and a water cistern close to the south wall. Since
1992 the 5th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities has replaced the tiles of the roof
and has repaired the stone masonry and the decorative elements of the church.
The area of Erimos is rich in Byzantine monuments, including the churches
of the Taxiarches (Archangels) at Kouloumi (13th century), of St. John at the
settlement of Mina (Byzantine period), the church of Aghia Soulani and many more.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
ERMIONI (Small town) ARGOLIS
The Metropolis of the city - a historic Byzantine church dating back
to the 16th century - is built precisely on the same site as the ancient Temple
of Demeter, the goddess of agricultural fertility, as it is suggested by the big
foundation stones and the Ancient Wall extending to the north. It was at this
place that the proxies of the Third National Assembly took oath.
This text is cited March 2004 from the Municipality
of Ermioni tourist pamphlet.
EVANGELISMOS (Village) KASTELI
In the village of Evangelismos is the Byzantine church of Evangelismos
containing some unusual frescoes, including one that represents Adam and Eve in
paradise. The church has cruciform architecture without a dome and the transept
of the church is higher than the nave.
EXO MOULIANA (Village) SITIA
The fourteenth century Byzantine church of Afentis Christos (Metamorphosis)
is set picturesquely in the middle of a valley and has interesting, simple, but
sturdy architecture.
FANEROMENI (Village) FILIATES
FERENTINATA (Village) KEFALLONIA
It has magnificent Byzantine woodcut temple.
FERES (Small town) ALEXANDROUPOLI
FILIATES (Small town) THESPROTIA
Tel: +30 26640 22795
FILIPPIADA (Small town) PREVEZA
The holy temple of Agios Athanassios, in Filippiada was built and
decorated by frescoes in the middle of the 18th century (about 1740-1756), according
to and inscription over the south entrance of the church. The frescoes of this
church are of a special interest. The gate-tower of the cemetery was built in
1847 and the gate-tower of the belfry in 1866. Another temple of great interest
in Filippiada is the temple of Agios Vissarion, which was built in 1861-62. The
most impressive part of this church is made of stone, ornate belfry, which was
built in 1912-13 by a craftsman from Pramanta.
(text: LAZAROS SINESIOS)
This text (extract) is cited July 2003 from the Prefecture
of Preveza tourist pamphlet.
FINIKI (Village) ASSOPOS
Stone church over Finiki in a woodland area near the legendary "Secret School" with unlimited view of the Lakonesean Golf and the plain of Asopos. Ideal place for palmers and hikers
FLABOURARI (Village) EAST ZAGORI
FLORIA (Settlement) KANDANOS
In Kato Floria is the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios with well-preserved
wall paintings by Ioannis Provatopoulos dated 1497. The donor of the church is
shown to the right of the door and outside the church there is a melon decoration.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
The church of Agii Pateres is in Ano Floria with wall paintings by
Xenos Digenis dated 1462
FODELE (Village) GAZI
The Byzantine church of the Panagia, northwest of the village, is
built on the remains of a seventh century church. The older church was a basilica
with three aisles. The newer church, dating from the beginning of the second Byzantine
period (11C) has the typical cruciform style of the Byzantine churches. The two
axis of the cross are higher than the rest of the church which has a rectangular
perimeter. A dome with windows is on top of the church and the windows around
the church are decorated with bricks and arches. The church contains many remains
of frescoes in addition to a marble relief from the earlier church representing
a wild animal and two wild goats.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
FOURNA (Village) EVRYTANIA
Important heirlooms of the school of the Zoodohou Pigis monastery are kept here (4 icons, authentic works of Dionysius "tou ek Fournas").
FOURNI (Village) NEAPOLI
The fourteenth century Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis Theologos
is three-aisled with the central aisle higher than the other two. An interesting
feature of its architecture is that its width is greater than its length.
In the neighbourhood of Kato Fourni is the church of Agios Georgios
which also contains traces of frescoes and a has relief in stone on the outside.
In the neighbourhood of Kastelli in Fourni is the church of Agii Apostoli
which contains traces of frescoes.
FRAGOULIAS (Settlement) ITYLO
FRANGOKASTELLO (Castle) SFAKIA
The Byzantine church of Agios Nikitas is about 400 metres from the
castle on the road that goes from Frangokastello to Skaloti and Rethimnon. It
has been built on the location of an older basilica, the smallest one known on
Crete so far. The coloured mosaic floor of the basilica is still visible.
FRES (Village) FRES
In the village of Agii Pandes there is the unusual Byzantine church
of Agii Pandes. The church has cruciform architecture which supports a large dome
at the intersection of the aisles. However, the church's shape is quite uncommon.
Externally it is in the shape of a rectangle like many other churches. Seen from
the front however, it resembles a three-aisled church in which the central aisle
is much shorter than the other two.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
In the village of Agioi Pandes near Fres, there is the unusual Byzantine church of Agii Pandes. The church has cruciform architecture which supports a large dome at the intersection of the aisles. However the church's shape is quite uncommon. Externally it is in the shape of a rectangle like many other churches. Seen from the front however, it resembles a three-aisled church in which the central aisle is much shorter than the other two.
The church of the Panagia in the section of the village known as Koukos,
has been built on two rocks and has wall paintings still visible with interesting
facial expressions.
FYLAKI (Village) GEORGIOUPOLI
In Filaki there is the Byzantine church of Agia Anna with one of the
best decorated tombs on Crete within the church. The tomb of Kalergis (an important
Cretan family during the Venetian era) has ornate decoration with dolphins.
GALATADES (Small town) GIANNITSA
In the cemetery of Galatades there is the church of Saint Athanasios. It was built
before 1806, because this year is written on the icon of Virgin's Annunciation.
It is built in the Royal style, with three aisles and it has woodcut icon screen.
There are wall paintings of Saints Athanasios and Nicolaos on the south and west
lintel of the church. On the architraves there are scenes of the Old Testament.
Also, there are portable icons of the Twelve Apostles, Saint Dimitrios, Virgin
Mary, Saint Paraskevi, Saint John the Baptist, Christ, Saint Athanassios, Virgin's
Annunciation (1806) and Saint Georgios. The church has two entrances, in the south
and west side. Its roof has been restored recently and the church is lightened
inside through the dormer windows. Nowadays, the church is used for burial services.
This text is cited May 2005 from the Municipality of Megas Alexandros URL below, which contains images
In the center of the village, next to the Primary School, it is situated the new
church of Agios Athanassios. It is an imposing church built in the Byzantine style
with a dome and wall paintings. It has a modern bell tower with five bells, which
ring with a mechanism. It was founded in 1949 and consecrated in 1961. Next to
the church there is its spiritual center, which also functions as a reception
hall.
GARDIKI (Village) SOULI
One-aisled church probably built during the late-Byzantine period.
GARGALIANI (Small town) MESSINIA
This is a historical church in the central square of Gargaliani, the foundations
of it were laid during the Venetian era in the 17th century and was completed
at the beginning of the 18th century. Makrigiannis went to Mass in this church
in 1825 before he set off for Navarino.
In the church you can still see Ibrahem's sword cuts when he ransacked the town.
GASTOUNI (Small town) ILIA
The Byzantine
church of the Panaghia Katholiki at Gastouni, Eleia, is a two- columned inscribed
cruciform church of the 12th century. It has a semi-hexagonal apse, dome with
eight-sided drum and a narthex at the west side.
The walls, with panels of reticulate tiling and double layers of
tiles at the joins, are embellished with a plain ceramic decoration, especially
dentil courses, and with embedded glazed bowls. Unique Frankish influence of
the 14th century is seen in the pointed arch of the north doorway, now blocked.
The later addition of an exonarthex and large doorway openings are the only
few changes that have been made to the original form of the building.
Two layers of wall paintings are preserved on the interior. The
second layer is dated by an inscription to the year 1702 and was made with funds
contributed by Ioannikios the bishop of Olene. A second inscription of the same
period referring to the donors of the church and giving the date of building
as 1279, refers in all likelihood to the earlier donors' inscription.
GERAKARI (Village) SYVRITO
The village of Gerakari was levelled by the Germans in the World War
II after the abduction of General Kreipe. The area of Gerakari contains several
old churches. In the location Foti, on the main road, is the Byzantine church
of Agios Ioannis Theologos with well-preserved thirteenth century wall paintings.
The church is a single room and has a narthex in front of it and a dome. The dome
is decorated with blind arches made with bricks.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
Outside the village of Gerakari, and 41 km from Rethymno, the church of Aghios Ioannis the Theologist is situated, which dates back to the 13th century. This single-aisled church has a tiled roof. The domed narthex was added later. The church is ornamented with particularly interesting frescoes.
GERGERI (Small town) ROUVA
Near the village is the church of the Panagia Hanoutias which contains
frescoes (in poor condition) dating from 1443. The side window of the church is
one of the most artistic ones in Crete.
Near the village is the church of the Panagia Hanoutias which contains frescoes (in poor condition) dating from 1443. The side window of the church is one of the most artistic ones in Crete. The church is in the village cemetery on a right hand turn before the signposted turn to Rouva.
The Byzantine church of Sotiras Christos is beside the large modern
church in the village. It has many unusual reliefs on the outside walls.
In the location Apomarma (south of Gergeri, there is a sign at the
west end of the village), there is the single-ailed Byzantine church of the Panagia
with marble reliefs inside.
GIANNITSA (Town) PELLA
1862
The Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, i.e. the Orthodox
Cathedral of Giannitsa, a triple-nave basilica, the construction of which was
completed in 1860 and according to the tradition, wine was often used instead
of water for its construction.
This text (extract) is cited October 2003 from the Pella
Prefecture Tourism Committee tourist pamphlet.
GIROMERI (Village) FILIATES
The Katholikon, namely the central church of the Monastery was gradually
built. It is a church of small dimensions and is constructed of four cross-shaped
columns with a domed roof. Possibly, it was at first a single-nave church, while
its present form, namely the four parts of it, is a result of renovations at different
times.
Chronologically talking, we only know about the construction of the
Main Church, which was in 1568 after a donation from the Sovereign of Hungrovlachia
(Hungary-Romania), Oxiotis of Pogoniani. The external Narthex, is considered to
be constructed at the same time, while the Nave and the internal Narthex are earlier
constructions, parts of the first church, possibly from the 14th century. Externally,
it is ornamented with plain ceramic designs mainly on the dome and on the southern
and western sides. Internally, it is of great interest as it is decorated with
hagiographic ornamentation from the 16th century.
The second layer of the frescos (1679) is of popular style of that
age, while the first one (1568-1590) is of Byzantine technique and has the unique
particular characteristic - among the monuments of Ipiros - to combine the Western
Europe Art with that of the Cretan School and the School of Western Greece. Unfortunately,
the inspired artist is unknown. The Templo (rood screen) of the Katholikon is
worth mentioning, a wooden sculpture constructed in 1824 and gold plated in 1829.
The icons of the temple were made in 1824 and are works of Dimitrios
Papadiamantis from Zagori. The icon of Blessed Virgin Mary Odigitria is set in
a separate wooden sculptured icon stand, which was constructed at the same time
as the temple. It is the oldest icon in the Monastery made between the 12th and
the 14th century. It is a two-side icon, which depicts Holy Virgin Mary of the
type Odigitria named OPHXHOTICCA (Orihiotissa), on one side, whereas, on the other
side, are the most eminent Apostles Peter and Paul.
GLYKI (Village) THESPROTIA
The church of Agiou Ioannou Prodromou (St. John the Baptist), which is a single aisle church, again with cruciform style roofing, and a wall painting (fresco) Holly Altar.
GYPSOCHORI (Settlement) PELLA
In the cemetery of Gypsohori there is the church of Agios Athanasios, which is
dated in 19th century. The year "1851" is written on a sign that has
been preserved until nowadays. The temple is built in the Royal Style and it has
three aisles. It also has wooden roof and narthex, characteristics that is difficult
to be found in churches these years. Inside the temple, the frescos on the walls
are believed to be of rare beauty and art.
The residents report with great enthusiasm the important and determinate role
of the church during the Macedonian Struggle as, many fighters lived in the village.
Next to this church there is the new church of Agios Athanasios, which was built
in 1965 and opened in 1972. The day of the celebration of the church is on 18th
January.
This text is cited May 2005 from the Municipality of Megas Alexandros URL below, which contains images
HERAION (Ancient sanctuary) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
There are three churches in the vicinity of the Heraion: those of
St Nicholas, of St John in the archaeological site, and of the Transfiguration
of Our Lord near Vouliagmeni lake.
The church of St Nicholas was built some 200 years ago on a natural acropolis
to the east of the harbor which once sewed the Heraion. It is a single-aisled
basilica with a vaulted roof whose middle sanctuary apse is within a huge rock.
There is a feature of interest on the west side of the exterior: a window that
also serves as a gun-slit and bears an elaborate ornament that originated in some
Early Christian church.
HERAKLIO (Town) CRETE
With the recovery of Crete from Nikiforos Fokas, the seat of the bishopric is transferred from Gortyna to Chandakas, which became the capital of the island. The new cathedral, which is the most established and largest in the city, is dedicated to the Apostle Titos. Here, amongst other relics, there are gathered the Holy Skull of the Apostle and the miraculous icon of Messopapaditissas. When the Venetians took over Crete, they installed in the orthodox bishop the Latin archbishop, converting by that the church of St. Titos into a Latin bishop. In the middle of the 15th century, the Latin archbishop, F. Dandolo is renovating the church. Other distractions, caused by earthquakes and fire, resulted to the rebuilding of the church from the start around 1557. The church was a basilica, almost square in shape, with a dome in the middle and a bell-tower in the southwest corner. The church from the inside was divided in three aisles with two series of columns. During the Turkish period, the church was given to Fazil Ahmet Kioprouli and it was changed into a mosque, while the bell - tower was tranformed into a minaret. The big earthquake of 1856 destroyed the temple which is being, once more, rebuilt. After the exchange of populations, the Church of Crete repaired it accordingly, and in 1925 it was dedicated again to Apostle Titos. East of the church there was the building of the archdiocese.
This extract is cited May 2003 from the Municipality of Heraklion URL below, which contains images.
It is the Latin monastery of the Crusaders (Crosecchieri) which during the Turkish occupation was made into a mosque with the name of Angebout Pasha. It is of a basilica type with the middle aisle higher than the others. The aisles were connected to each other with two lines of columns that formed arches. The roof of the middle aisle was a two slope one and the other one of one slope.
This text is cited May 2003 from the Municipality of Heraklion URL below, which contains images.
It is the small church of St. Minas and Pantanassa and it is situated southwest of the church of St. Aikaterini of Sinai. It is mentioned in the church catalogues of Chandakas of the Venetian period. Only a characteristic gothic window of the period before 1735, of the north aisle, survives today. During the Turkish siege, the church fell into disuse until 1735, when, after the efforts of the bishop Gerassimo Letitzi, to whose family house also belonged the old deserted church, the inauguration of the renovated metropolitan church took place. It became the centre of the orthodox Christians of the Turkish occupied city. The temple had two aisles roofed with two arches, the north aisle was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the south one to St. Minas. Today's form of the monument is not much different from the Turkish one. The icon - screen, especially the one of the north aisle, is a magnificent sample of ecclesiastical woodcarving (it is gold plated and it is divided by little columns, between them there were the icons). A lot of the churches' relics are found today in the church of St. Aikaterini, most of them, though, have been destroyed. A big number of the icons that still survive today is work of Cretan icon painters of the 18th century of great artistic value. Some significant ones of the north aisle is the icon of Christ's Birth (of Georgios Kydoniaios), the icon of Panayia Galaktotrofousa (of Georgios Kastrofylakas), of the Ypapanti of the same artist, of St. Minas (of an unknown artist) and other icons equally important. Some significant icons of the south aisle is the one of St. Titos with 12 representations from the life of the ten saints martyrs of Crete, the icon of St. Minas with twelve representations of the saint's martyrdom and miracles, the icon of Adam's Creation and others. From the most valuable works of the church are: Vatos, the Divine Liturgy, "Noli me tangere", The Adoration of the Magi, The Last Supper and the First Ecumenical Synod, now all these are found in the Church of St. Aikaterini. This church of St. Minas is connected with one of the most atrocious moments of the local history. In June 1821 Turks slaughtered the metropolitan bishop, Gerasimo Pardali, Bishops, Reverend Fathers, Clerics and civilians that were inside the church and in the precinct. It is also worth noting here the miracle of 1826 which is connected with St. Minas and his church. At Easter of that year and while Christians were inside the church, taking part in the Mass, Turks decided to attack and slaughter them. At the moment, though when they were ready for this atrocious deed, an army officer on his horse appeared in front of them and by showing his sword against them, he prevented them and chased them away from the temple. The Turks thought that the officer was their second in command Ayian Aga that is why they left in panic. From the other hand, the Christians believed that it was a miracle and that the rider was St. Minas himself who protected the people and the city. The church was destroyed after the big earthquake of 1856 and a year later it is renovated. During these years, in the middle of 19th century a bell is being put for the first time in the cathedral.
This extract is cited May 2003 from the Municipality of Heraklion URL below, which contains images.
IGOUMENITSA (Town) THESPROTIA
Tel: +30 26650 25593
KADROS (Settlement) KANDANOS
In Kadros is the Byzantine church of the Panagia. Outside the Panagia
there are ancient columns from an earlier building. The church also has well-preserved
frescoes, among which the unusually austere figure of the Panagia is dominant.
Also in the village is Agios Antonios Church with a very decorative
portal.
KALAMAS (Settlement) GEROPOTAMOS
In the village of Kalamas is the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios.
The church has cruciform architecture and two narthexes in front of the church,
at right angles to the main axis. It has a high dome in the centre of the cross
and blind arches at the sides of the church. The narthex makes it resemble a three-aisled
church. On the outside the church has blind arches and brick decorations. There
is also an old grave inside and some frescoes remain.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
Tel: +30 24320 22752
The
Holy church of "Koimesis", situated North-East of the municipality of Kalambaka,
was the old cathedral of the Bishopric Stagoi.
The church is a spacious basilica with nave which rises higher than
the two aisles. It was built probably in the 10th or 11th century, on the remains
of an early - christian basilica. Part of the floor mosaic is saved, while material
from the early byzantine ambo has been used to firm the new one of marble, in
the centre of the church. From the old church comes the ciborium of marble and
the synthronon. The wall paintings of the church date from 12th to 17th century.
The monument has been restored and the frescoes (part of them;) conserved.
Nowadays it is used as a church.
KALAMOS (Settlement) PELEKANOS
In Kalamos there is the Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis containing
well-preserved frescoes.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
KALI LIMENES (Port) MIRES
Near the sea is the church of Agios Antonios of Odigitria Monastery.
The church is partially built in a cave in a rocky hill. It has a single aisle
and two transverse narthex at the front which form a T with the church. Both narthexes
have a dome, the second of which is supported on a drum (timpanon) which has narrow
windows. The door of the church has unusual stone constructions and a bell just
above the door.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
KALIOPI (Village) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
The church was built in 1869.
It dates back to the 19th century.
KALOGERORACHI (Village) ANDROUSSA
KALOGRIANA (Village) KARDITSA
KALONI (Village) THERAPNES
Near the village of Kalloni you can find a church dedicated to Agio Nikolao (St. Nikolaos). The repairs that have been undertaken in recent times have altered somewhat the main construction, nevertheless the church maintains even today various elements of the Byzantine period.
KALYMNOS (Town) DODEKANISSOS
KAMARIOTIS (Village) TYLISSOS
The three-aisled Byzantine church of Agios Georgios the Kamariotis
is dedicated to Agios Nikolaos, Afentis Christos and Agios Georgios. Its entrance
door, between the narthex and the main church, is unique with exceptional decorations.
Above the entrance door is the lion of St. Mark and on the two sides are coat
of arms of the fourteenth century. The central aisle has the coat of arms of Kalergis
(an important Cretan family during the Venetian era) and the Byzantine double-headed
eagle. On the south door is the date 1629.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
The Byzantine church of the Panagia, has two aisles and many frescoes.
An old grave is within the church.
KAMINIA (Village) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
KANDANOS (Village) CHANIA
Sotiras Christos, in the neighbourhood of Tzevremiana, is one of the
most important churches in Crete. The church itself does not seem to be very old,
but it has many parts of an older basilica incorporated into its construction.
There are column capitals of an older church throughout the newer one. A part
of a cross and a column have been built in the wall of the church. There are also
several small columns with crosses that have been used to support blind arches
in the interior of the church. The local people believe that all those pieces
belonged to an older bishopric church. The church itself is of a single aisle,
long, and has interesting Byzantine brick decorations at the back. Brick decorations
have also been constructed around the church's back window. The church has blind
arches to support its structure. Inside the church there are interesting frescoes
from the fourteenth century.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
KAPANDRITI (Settlement) KEFALLONIA
KAPETANIANA (Settlement) KOFINA
This single-aisled church has a narthex in the front part which is
at right angles to the aisle and has a length approximately equal to the length
of the church, thus forming a T with the church. The narthex is separated into
three aisles parallel to the aisle of the church. The church of the Panagia contains
frescoes in good condition and an inscription of 1401.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
KARAVADOS (Village) KEFALLONIA
KARDAKI (Settlement) SYVRITO
The cemetery church of Astratigos is visible from the main road, below
the village. The church contains some frescoes.
KARIOTISSA (Small town) GIANNITSA
The church at the old village of Kariotissa was dedicated to the Assumption of
the Virgin. The elderly remember with nostalgia the bi-level church, built by
carved stone, the Byzantine dome and the Byzantine icons, the woodcut icon screen,
as well as the woodcut, pulpit surrounded by golden pigeons. An internal wooden
stairway led to a place set apart only for women. When the residents left the
village to settle in New Kariotissa, the church was ruined. In its place a chapel
has been built sacred to Zoodohos Pigi (the source of life).
When the refugees settled in New Kariotissa in 1924, they performed their religious
ceremonies in a jerry built shed. However, their great desire for a temple soon
became true by the foundation of the new one dedicated to the Assumption of the
Virgin. In 1998 the extension of the church was completed, while renovation takes
place till nowadays.
In the eastern section of the village there is the chapel of Saint Paraskevi.
According to the village residents, it was built after the urge of an old woman,
who insisted on the messages she got from the Saint, and since then Saint Paraskevi
is considered to be the guardian angel of the village. For the chapel’s building
plinths, and later, stones were used, in a way of building, which led to its exquisite
beauty.
KARITSA (Village) GERONTHRI
Just above Vraho tou Bey, between Toundeiko Roumani and the cemetery,
the chapel of Agios Konstandinos looks over Evangelistria. This tiny chapel for
many years, until around 1920, was the main church of the village. It is thought
that it was consecrated in 1861 but an inscription above the entrance is indistinguishable
and the digits not easily read, so we cannot be certain.
In the years following the establishment of Evangelistria as patron
saint of the village, the chapel of Agios Konstandinos deteriorated to the extent
that the slate-covered-roof threatened to collapse. Fortunately in the early sixties
papa-Anastasis took the initiative to mend the tiny chapel replacing the slate
with a new concrete roof, plastering the inner walls and rendering the outside.
In 1992 an Australian Karitsioti, Yannis Tsolomitis, layered the yard of Agios
Konstandinos with concrete.
According to local folklore in earlier days on this site stood another
church, Agia Paraskevi, which was the first patron saint of the village. Sometime
in the 1800s that church was completely gutted by fire but when it was rebuilt,
for some unknown reason it was renamed Agios Konstandinos. Some disquiet at times
is still expressed about that change.
Agios Konstandinos is solemnised on 21 May. On that day mass is held
at the chapel in the morning and a village festival at the kafenio in the evening.
From some 200 metres below the summit of Elatias the chapel of Agios
Yannis looks out over Karitsa. According to an inscription on a stone above the
chapel sanctuary "construction was funded by H Malavazos in 1869". Another inscription
above the entrance refers to 1899. Perhaps the chapel on top of the mountain was
renovated in that year. Agios Yannis or "Ayianniou" is celebrated on 29 August.
The village festival of the year, a two-day affair, is held on the eve of Ayianniou
and on the day itself. Many Karitsiotes from other parts of Greece as well as
from overseas are keen to be in the village for the festival. On the morning of
29 August most villagers will trek their way up the slopes of Elatias for mass
at Agios Yannis and then come down to continue the festival in the village square
during the afternoon, evening and early hours of the following morning.
This beautiful little church is found on the main road, just when
it is about to begin its steep winding climb on the way to the village. An inscription
above the entrance indicates the chapel was consecrated or renovated in 1896.
Interestingly in 1956, when the area was been dug up to build a motor road, many
human bones were uncovered close to this tiny church. Villagers believe this marks
the site of an old cemetery, very likely when the village was sited at Agios Thanasis.
The sides of the graves are built from local slate in a similar way to that attributed
to very olden days. Mass is held in this chapel only once a year on December 6.
Agia Kiriaki is built close to the very old water well, Plati Pigadi.
It is celebrated on 7 July when many worshipers come down from the village for
mass. This is followed by a village festival in the afternoon and evening.
Agios Dimitris, a very tiny chapel, is found near the ruins of the
old settlement and the ancient water-pit (sterna) in Sternitsa. It was built by
the mother of papa-Anastasi in memory of the ruined chapel, Agios Dimitris, at
the old settlement of Sternitsa. It is celebrated on 26 October.
KARPASSI (Village) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
The church of Aghios (Saint) Pachomios was built in 1901.
KARPATHOS (Small town) DODEKANISSOS
KARYA (Small town) LEFKADA
Another wonderful church is that of Ayia Paraskevi in the upper part of the town.
This is a well-preserved church built at the beginning of the 19th century. Its
pride is the wooden-sculpted iconostasis, a finely worked piece in a simple baroque
style made by P. Prosalentis in 1850. The icon of Ayia Paraskevi was painted by
Y. Patsaras and is a beautiful composition. There are two oil-paintings by Spyridon
Gazi in the church, 'The Sacrifice of Abraham' and 'Job.' There are two springs
in the village with pure water from the same source which supplied the whole region
with its water in the past.
This extract is cited April 2004 from the Prefecture of Lefkada URL below, which contains images
One of the most important churches of Karya is that of Ayios Spyridon in the centre
of the town. It was built in the late 19th century and has a beautiful tall belfry
with a clock. The iconostasis is in a simple, classical style and was made by
Ioannis Vrettos (1925).
KARYES (Village) AGION OROS
Tel: +30 23770 23711-3, 23221
Fax: +30 23770 23315
It is a
three-aisle basilica, with its
central aisle on a higher level and an external gallery along the northern side. The tall rectangular bell-tower is built a few meters away from the north-east corner of the church. The marble iconostasis of the church is still in its place, as well as the portable icons painted
by Theophanes, in the mid-16th century, along with the the miraculous
icon of the Virgin "Axion Esti".
The monument, which in its earliest form is dated to the 10th century, has been decorated with
frescoes by the main representative of the so-called Macedonian School, Manuel Panselinos.
Apart from the historic elements of the monument, the
frescoes which
cover practically every wall of the church , are undoubtedly the most brilliant
example of the Paleologean Art, around 1300, whose colours, forms and sentiments
have found their best expression in the hands of the most worthy master of the
period.
The restoration of the monument was carried out by the Archaeological Service during the '50s and '60s, while recently the 10th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities completed the conservation of the wall paintings.
The church is in use for the daily worship of the monks who live in
Karyes for more than ten centuries, and it is also used for all the official ceremonies
of the Holy Community.
Karyes has been the seat of the self-governing body of Mount Athos
and the seat of the 'protos' since the 10th century. At that time the settlement
comprised some small older monasteries and the residences of representatives of
distant ones.
Assemblies of the monks were usually held on 15th August, the Virgin's
feast-day, in the Protaton church, the very heart of monasticism on Athos; disputes
between monasteries, mainly about land holdings, were settled there.
Dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin, the Protaton is a large
triple-aisled basilica with narthex. Built in the 10th century it was repaired
in the reign of Andronikos II Palaeologos (1282-1328). The wall-paintings (circa
1300) have been attributed to Manuel Panselinos; the artist, whoever he was, created
a work that has gained world-wide acclaim in our time.
The extraordinary abundance of painted scenes, free of all abstraction
and featuring exquisite figures that come close to defining the quintessence of
man, give superb material expression to the vision of Palaeologian art.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains images.
KARYES (Village) LAKEDEMONA
KASTELI (Village) HERAKLIO
In Kastelli is the Byzantine church of Agia Fotini and Agios Spiridon.
The church has an unusual shape composed of two aisles, one shorter and smaller
than the other. The exterior decorations of the windows and doors are interesting.
KASTORIA (Town) MAKEDONIA WEST
Three-aisled basilica of the "Oriental" type, with a narthex and a
gallery. The aisles and the narthex are covered with barrel-vaults but over the
gallery the roof is semi-barrel vaulted. In the apse there is a synthronon (bench)
with a bishop's cathedra in the middle. A small chapel dedicated to St. Anne is
formend in the south section of the gallery.
Two layers of the wall paintings
of the church have been uncovered. The earlier, which dates from the end of
the 9th or the beginning of the 10th century, covers the narthex,
the side aisles, the middle aisle up to the height of the celestory, and part
of the gallery. The second layer, dated to the end of the 12th century, is visible
on the high celestory and the lower friezes of the pillars.
The
church has undergone several phases of restoration and protection work.
The triple-aisled basilica of Ayios Stephanos in Kastoria is one of
the oldest ecclesiastical monuments of the Balkan Peninsula. It has attractive
tile decoration and wall-paintings, the earliest of which date to the 9th century.
These wall-paintings are of exceptional significance as an example
of early painting reflecting a high level of iconographic and artistic attainment.
The painting is flat and abstract, with strange colour combinations, and the compositions
are geometrically arranged.
Some scattered dedicatory or liturgical scenes in the narthex and
on the lower sections of the walls in the main body of the church date to the
12th century. Scenes on the ceiling of this part of the church must have been
executed around 1200, while some others date to the 13th and 14th centuries.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains image.
Triconch, domed church
founded in the 10th century. The exonarthex is a later addition. Three layers
of wall paintings are distinguished in the building: the earlier is dated
to 1260-1280 and is preserved on the arches of the naos
(except for the east) and on the walls of the esonarthex (except for the west).
A more recent layer, dated to the 17th century, covers the east arm of the cross,
the apse of the sanctuary, and the exonarthex.
The church was bombed in the 1940's and the dome and several parts
of the superstructure had collapsed. It was completely restored in the 1950's.
The Panayia (Virgin) Koumbelidiki or Skoutariotissa, a small triconch
church dated to the 10th century, has become the emblem of Kastoria. The small
dimensions of the church and its high dome with a variety of masonry work make
it an architectural gem of the city.
The 13th century wall-paintings are in poor condition. Their attraction
now lies largely in the Dormition of the Virgin at the west end of the main body
of the church, and in the rare representation of the Holy Trinity in the narthex.
Taken as a whole, the painting is conventional and lacks an inner
quality, yet it contains certain innovative features that foretell the creative
outburst of the Palaeologan age. Some of the painting in the narthex dates to
the 17th century, while the murals on the west front of the church were executed
in 1496.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains image.
The church of the Taxiarchis (Archangel) of the Metropolis, a small
triple-aisled basilica with narthex, is of 10th century construction. Its considerable
interest lies equally in its antiquity and in its original wall-paintings.
While they have deteriorated through age, these paintings are of importance
to the study of art in the Middle Byzantine period. The old murals were painted
over in 1359/60, the more recent being the ones most visible today.
These later murals display their own characteristic techniques that
do not follow the rules governing painting as formulated at the time in the large
urban centres of Byzantium. From then on a local painting workshop existed in
Kastoria; it was inspired by locally conceived aesthetic canons and persisted
until the first years of the 16th century.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains image.
Ayios Nikolaos Kasnitzis is a small single-aisled church with 12th
century wall-paintings. These paintings provide a perfect example of how a church
of this shape is to be decorated.
The upper register of the painted surface is covered with scenes from
the Gospels and the lower with a row of full-length figures of saints. In the
narthex there are scenes from the life of Saint Nicholas, whom the church honours,
and representations of the donors, Nikephoros Kasnitzis and his wife Anna.
As for the artistic intent, all the figures display a similarity of
style, being the work of a painter bent on portraying tall, supple bodies and
noble faces, and using subdued colours devoid of abrupt transitions of tone. The
prevalent harmony and the rejection of all inessentials create a sense of that
unique inner solemnity which reflects the religious ideals current in the Komnenian
age.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains images.
The church of Ayioi Anargyroi (dedicated to Saints Kosmas and Damianos)
is a three-aisled basilica of the 11th century with marvellous tile decoration
and interesting proportions. It has two layers of wall-paintings that belong to
the 11th and 12th centuries respectively.
The earliest murals, which are clearly visible where the later ones
have crumbled away, are not particularly expressive, being of a very conservative
character.
The 12th century paintings, on the other hand, present a rich iconography
and display all the signs of conspicuous artistic merit consistent with the dynamism
of Komnenian art. Elongated figures of saints, their faces imbued with an intense
spirituality, their stance noble, almost theatrical, create scenes in harmonious
colours that comprise one of the most important works of Byzantine art.
One may marvel at the figures, among several others, of the donor
Theodoros Limniotis, his wife Anna, their son Ioannis, and of the monk Theophilos
Limniotis.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains images.
The single-aisled church with narthex of the Panayia (Virgin) Mavriotissa,
the katholikon of the monastery bearing the same name, is probably an 11th century
building. A chapel dedicated to John the Theologian, with wall-paintings executed
in 1552 by the artist Eustathios Iakovou, was erected beside it in the 16th century.
The paintings that have survived in the katholikon are confined to
the sanctuary, the west wall of the main body of the church and the narthex. Their
particular style gives rise to pronounced reservations regarding their date, estimates
varying from the 11th to the early 13th centuries. Moreover their style lacks
features which would relate the paintings with local tradition.
The violence depicted in the wall-paintings and the distortions occurring
in the drawing reach the extremes of abstraction. Some of these old wall-paintings
were restored in the 13th century, while the exterior wall of the narthex was
decorated with new ones.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains images.
KASTOS (Island) IONIAN ISLANDS
The church of Ayios Ioannis is decorated with excellent large oil-paintings, executed
by Spyridon Gazis. The small church of Ayios Aimilianos is located four kilometres
outside of the village of Kastos, on the site where the village once was, before
the residents moved to its present site. It is an pretty, old church, much connected
with the history of the island.
KASTRI (Settlement) GEROPOTAMOS
In Kastri itself is the Byzantine church of the Panagia. The church
has two long aisles one much wider than the other. It may have been a three-aisled
basilica in the past. It has an attractive back window and blind arches on the
back walls.
KATAVIA (Village) NOTIA RODOS
KATO EPISKOPI (Settlement) SITIA
There is the eleventh century Byzantine church of Agii Apostoli in
Kato Episkopi. The beautiful cemetery church, which as the name suggests, was
a bishopric church during the second Byzantine period, has an unusual rectangular
shape.
KATO GARDENITSA (Settlement) ITYLO
KATO KLINES (Village) FLORINA
It was built in 1838.
KATO LAPSISTA (Village) IOANNINA
Tel: +30 26510 62289
KATO MEROPI (Village) IOANNINA
KATO NEVROKOPI (Small town) DRAMA
KATO TITHOREA (Small town) FTHIOTIDA
Built in 1896
KATO VALSAMONERO (Village) NIKIFOROS FOKAS
In Kato Varsamonero is the single-roomed Byzantine church of Agios
Ioannis which contains frescoes of good quality.
KATO VIANNO (Village) HERAKLIO
In the nearby village of Kato Viannos is the church of Sotiras which
also contains frescoes.
KATOCHI (Small town) IERA POLIS MESSOLONGIOU
It is believed that has been established from Theodora, the wife of Ioustianos.
KAVALA (Town) MAKEDONIA EAST & THRACE
This church was built on the place of a ruined 15th century church, which was dedicated to the Virgin Mary (= Panagia) as well.
KAVALARIANA (Settlement) KANDANOS
In Kavalariana there is the Byzantine church of Michael Archangelos
with frescoes by Ioannis Pagomenos dated at 1327. The fourteen donors of the church
are shown in two groups.
KAVOUSSI (Village) IERAPETRA
There are two Byzantine churches off the main square: the church of
Agios Georgios contains frescoes.
KEFALAS (Village) THERAPNES
There are numerous chapels that can be visited in the area. In the village main square you can find the church of Zoodochou Pigi, which celebrates after Easter and on the 20th of July.
KEFALI (Village) INACHORI
The village of Kefali contains the Byzantine church of Sotiras Christos
with high quality frescoes dating from 1320. Ask for the key in the kafenion.
Near the church there is a also a Venetian villa.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
KERAMIES (Village) KEFALLONIA
KERAMIO (Village) LESVOS
The church
of St John (Agios Ioannis) is located in the centre of Lesbos,
at the village Kerami, between Kalloni
and Papiana. It is of relatively small dimensions (11,70 x 4,50 m), built according
to the type of a side-aisled basilica, with an addition of a wood-roofed collonate
along the north side.
According to the inscription plate, the church was built in 1733.
It is built of stones, while an upper zone of ceramic ornamentation is created
by five horizontal zones of bricks, which alternate in their arrangement creating
an impressive decoration.
The interior of the sanctuary is decorated with wall paintings contemporary
to the erection of the monument. They present a typical iconography, according
to which in the upper zone we find scenes from the life of Christ, in the middle
zone depictions of saints while the lower one is taken up by a decorative motive.
For the time being restoration works of the wall paintings are carried
out by the 14th Ephorate
of Byzantine Antiquities.
This text is cited June 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
KERAMOUTSI (Village) TYLISSOS
Agios Antonios is reached by a path from the Panagia. It is a small
church with a few frescoes.
The church of the Panagia is on the west side of the village in the
middle of a plain and has beautiful architecture and some traces of old frescoes.
KERI (Village) ZAKYNTHOS
The church of Our Lady of Keri, contains excellent woodcarvings and portable icons.
KILIOMENO (Village) ZAKYNTHOS
The church of St Nikolaos at the village of Kiliomenos with the unique stone-carved belfry of 1893.
KILKIS (Town) MAKEDONIA CENTRAL
KIRKI (Village) ALEXANDROUPOLI
Kerke had the luck to safe the last atelier of Byzantine hagiography in Greece. Samples of its artistic work are decorating the temple of the Agios Georgios central fane. The icons of the temple where painted in the years 1926- 1927 from a monk named Kerelos (1871-1945), who was born in Kerke and had learn the hagiographic art on the Agio Oros. When he returned to his country he started running the atelier and his most important student was the folk painter Pashalis Katsikas.
This extract is cited Sept 2003 from the Development Company of Alexandroupolis URL below.
KIRKIZATES (Village) ARTA
KISSOS (Village) LAMBI
The church of Sotiras Christos, which is located on the main road
through the village, is a double-aisled church containing frescoes.
The monastery of Agio Pnevma is located outside the village. The monastery
played an important educational role in the years of the Turkish occupation.
KISSOS (Village) ZAGORA-MOURESI
KLAFSI (Village) EVRYTANIA
The Paleochristian church of Agios Leonidis is dated at circa the 5th century, with it's superb mosaic floor that measures 28m. in width and 18m. in lenghth, with wonderful representations, decorative designs and colours. Aside from the mosaic floor, a seat and the Holy Altar survive in this Paleochristian church.
This extract is cited August 2003 from the Municipality of Karpenission URL below, which contains images.
KLISTO (Village) EVRYTANIA
Here, in a silver case roughly seven hundred years old, is guarded a rare Relic: the holy hand of the Great Apostle, the Evangelist Luke
KOMITADES (Village) SFAKIA
The small Byzantine church of Agios Georgios has frescoes by Ioannis
Pagomenos of 1314. One of the pictures shows the kneeling donors of the church.
KONTARIOTISSA (Small town) PIERIA
KONTOGENADA (Village) KEFALLONIA
KONTOPOULI (Village) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
KORONI (Small town) MESSINIA
In the lower part of the castle and on the southwest part and in a
grove consisting of pines and palm trees the church
of the miraculous Blessed Virgin Mary the Merciful is built in the place of
the «findings».
According to local tradition, an old lady, Maria Stathaki used to
have dreams of the Blessed Virgin Mary leading her to the place of the «findings».
In 1897, there was an excavation on that site where three statuettes of excellent
artistic value and expression were found; that of the Crucified, the Blessed Vergin
Mary and the Evangelist Loukas.
In the lower part of the church and in the crack of the huge rock
where the statuettes were found there is a chapel which is called «EVRESIS» (=finding)
while in the same place of the grove there is the room where the findings of the
area are exhibited as well as the bust of the bishop Gregory Bisti and the metropolitan
Daskalakis.
The church celebrates on the Friday after Easter, the Source of life,when
a host of people go there from all over Messinia and the surrounding area and
constitutes one of the most splendid religious celebrations in Messinia.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Messenia Prefecture Tourism Promotion Commission URL below, which contains image.
KORONISSIA (Island) ARTA
(= Birth of the Virgin Mary)
KOS (Town) DODEKANISSOS
The church is inside the actual cemetery, southwards to the Kos city. The ground
plan shows a circle with four semicircular corner conchs and one in the middle
of the eastern side, inscribed in a quadrangle. Two more conchs in the middle
of southern and northern side, along with the five mentioned above, gave the
church this name. One concentric colonnade in the interior, formed of eight unfluted
columns, has been replaced by walls. The entrance is in the middle of the western
side of the church.
The church was originally an early christian baptistery of the 5th
- 6th century, which belonged to a basilica, partly excavated and complemented
during the Italian occupation. No trace of it is seen today. It is perhaps the
only early christian baptistery, that has remained almost intact up to this day
and remains still in use as a cemetery church.
Frescoes of 12th - 13th century, with scenes of the life of St. John
the Precursor have been recently discovered, as well as others of the 16th century.
The church' s masonry presents some interesting elements, such as the use of hellenistic
frieze with garlands on the lower part of the sanctuary apse, architraves, bases,
early christian mullions, pilaster- capitals etc. in various parts of the walls.
The text is cited from The Hellenic Ministry of Culture & Tourism WebPage
KOSTANIANI (Village) DODONI
Tel: +30 26510 55815
KOTZINOS (Port) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
The church of Zoodochos Pigi which existed in the interior of the
castle was recently renovated. Since 1415 it is referred to, as Zoodochos Pigi
of Syngellos, an independent monastery. Ancient steps, quite deteriorated begin
from the ant-temple and lead to an underground vault. In this room exists a holy
water spring. In fact the spring is whatever remained of a water-supply construction
once used by the castle during sieges. There is a tale about this water: Once
a queen of the island tried to hide there when her enemies were running after
her. She is the one who confuses anybody who insists to count the steps. They
seem to be sometimes 84, sometimes 64, sometimes 57... and sometimes 51.
This text (extract) is cited June 2003 from the Lemnos
Provincial Government tourist pamphlet (1997).
KOUNAVI (Village) NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS
The Byzantine church of Metamorphosis of Sotiras, Agios Nikolaos and
Agios Dimitrios has three aisles and five blue-coloured domes in the shape of
a cross, the central one higher than the others. The doors are interestingly decorated.
KOURNAS (Village) GEORGIOUPOLI
The church of the Panagia is well-known for the ornate exterior decoration
of its windows and doors. The church is over-shadowed by a large new church in
the centre of the village.
The church of Agia Irini has remnants of wall paintings. The church
is in the middle of the village on the north side below the road. There is a staircase
from the road to the church.
The church of Agios Georgios is a three-aisled church with a narthex subdivided into three spaces. The church has supporting blind arches. Apparently it also had a fourth aisle in the past. There are also frescoes in Agios Georgios presently being restored. There are two unusal frescoes of huge hands holding scripture in the apses. The church is in the east end of the village.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
KOUTSOGERAKO (Settlement) ANATOLIKO SELINO
The church of Agia Anna is on the opposite hill above the village
and contains frescoes. The view of the village from here is very attractive. There
is also a path from the village that goes east to the villages' high summer pastures
in the Lefka Ori.
The church of Agios Georgios on a hill above the village, has the date 1488 inscribed on its wall and contains frescoes by Georgios Provatopoulos.
KOZANI (Town) MAKEDONIA WEST
Kozani's cathedral, Ayios Nikolaos, is a three-aisled vaulted basilica
with a pitched roof. Its cornerstone was laid in 1664 by the town's leading notable
Harisis
Trantas, and it underwent subsequent extensions and repairs in the 18th and
early 20th century.
An inscription dates its wall-paintings, the work of the brothers
Nikolaos and Theodoros from Ioannina, to 1770. Its carved
wooden iconstasis, altar, pulpit, and bishop's throne -- all decorated with
plants, animals and human figures --are true works of art. The name of their creator,
Bandoveris, as well as all the cost of the wooden furniture, are noted in a codex
from the mid-17th century.
Another of the church's treasures is the embroidered 'epitaphios'
(shroud) belonging to a certain Georgios Kontaris (1672). The seven storey bell
tower, built in 1855, rises next to the church.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains image.
KRISSA (Settlement) ASSOPOS
Complete arch-covered temple, which preserves wall paintings of the 14th century and has been declared as a historic landmark memorial. It celebrates on 23rd August, a celebration of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. It is situated at the location of krisa, county in which the legislation of 1936 has enacted the local trade fair from 1st until 8th September, which operates till today with great success.
Newly built church at the area of krisa Finiki.
KRITSA (Small town) AGIOS NIKOLAOS
The original aisleless church with cupola was built in the 13th century and it was dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin.
The other aisles were added in the next century and the church was repaired.
Today the church has three aisles and a cupola. The central aisle is decorated with frescoes dating in the 13th century. The side aisles are posterior; the northern is dedicated to St Antonius and the southern to St Anne: both of them were decorated with frescoes in the 14th century. The church's iconographic programs are extremely interesting, starting with the archaic style in the first layer of frescoes and continuing with the Paleologan style in the latter. Works of restoration, consolidation and tidying up are carried out.
The church receives daily many visitors.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains images.
Just before the village of Kritsa there is the famous church of the
Panagia Kera. This thirteenth century Byzantine church which is important because
of its frescoes, has three aisles and a dome construction. Each aisle contains
paintings from a different period, representing a different religious theme. The
central aisle, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, contains the oldest
paintings which reflect a mixture of styles. The south aisle has the best-preserved
paintings. In contrast to the more stylized paintings of the period, these paintings
display a tenderness and humanity in their rendering of the story of Anna, the
Virgin Mary's mother. The north aisle is dedicated to St. Anthony and has pictures
representing the Second Coming.
Although the Venetians occupied Crete during the period, they allowed the Cretans
to decorate their churches as they desired. The rare fresco techniques used and
the subject matters make the Panagia Kera particularly interesting to visit.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
Ιn the Kritsa area is the cemetery church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos
dated 1370.
Agios Georgios containing remains of frescoes of the thirteenth century.
KROUSSONAS (Small town) MALEVIZIO
In Agios Charalambos the locals trapped and burned 370 Turkish Albanians
during the second year of the Cretan revolution against the Turks. The Turks had
used a small child as hostage who also died from asphyxiation.
The small church of Panagia Kera, above Agios Charalambos is very
ancient looking. It was burnt by the Turks in 1866. The Metamorphosis of Christos,
and Agios Georgios are two more Byzantine churches in the region.
KROUSTAS (Village) AGIOS NIKOLAOS
The church is in an incredible location allowing superb views of the
valley below and Mirabelo Bay. The church has three aisles and dates from the
fourteenth century.
KYPSELI (Village) ZAKYNTHOS
The church of the Virgin in Kipseli village with remarkable architecture and its belfry
KYRA PANAGIA (Settlement) KARPATHOS
KYRIAKOSELIA (Settlement) ARMENI
The Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos is considered by some people
to be one of the most beautiful churches in Crete and has many lovely and well-preserved
wall paintings with a strong emphasis on shades of blue. The church is a fine
example of Byzantine architecture on the island. It is of cruciform architecture,
but its nave (west-east) is much larger and wider than the transept (north-south),
so that the church inside is almost rectangular. The church has blind arches on
each side. The windows are decorated with semicircles of brick. The side windows
have a column with a column capital which creates two openings to its right and
left for the light. The church has an exceptional elongated drum supported at
the intersection. The dome has a roof of tiles, and it has long, narrow windows
very beautifully decorated with bricks. In the front of the church there is a
very large narthex of a much more recent construction.
This extract is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
KYRIANNA (Village) ARKADI
In the centre of the village of Kirianna is the Byzantine church of
the Panagia with cruciform architecture, a very large narthex in front on the
same axis as the main aisle of the church, and has another extension on the side.
The church has a large dome supported at the intersection of the aisles forming
the cross. In front of the church there is a bell tower with three arches, unique
in its beauty and detailed craftsmanship. In the church there is a piece of marble
decorated with reliefs showing the life of Christ and the Saints.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
LABENA (Village) ITHOMI
According to its engraved inscription, it was built in 1865 and signifies
an innovation as far as church architecture is concerned. This innovation was
first observed in Thessaloniki after the Hati Houmayioun Treaty was signed in
1856. Regarding its form, a square small tower with a cross on top accords with
the arch of the three-winged basilica of Ayios Geogrios, an element related to
religious beliefs as well as national ideals. Such an element favours the arrival
of neobyzantinism, which eliminates memories from the Turkish occupation and introduces
a monumental style of a symbolic nature.
This text is cited April 2003 from the
Municipality of Ithomi tourist pamphlet.
LABINI (Village) LAMBI
Lambini contains the Byzantine church of the Panagia Lambini, which
was built or renovated in early Venetian times. During the Byzantine era the bishopric
of Lambis was probably here. The church has cruciform architecture with a dome
supported by a drum and shorter side rooms so that the overall shape of the church
is almost a rectangle. The dome is supported by a drum with blind arches, and
these are also found on the sides of the church. The arches of the dome are agreeably
decorated with bricks in the Byzantine style. The church also contains frescoes
from the fourteenth century. In 1827 the Turks trapped Christians attending a
mass within the church, killed the men, and sold the women and children in Rethimnon.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
In the village of Lampini and 27 km from Rethymno in the direction of the village of Spili, the Church of Panaghia is situated. The cruciform church is inscribed with a cupola and depicts frescoes of the 12th and 14th century. It was an Episcopal church, since the village of Lampini once accommodated the seat of the famous Episcopate of Lampis, which had existed since 431.
LABIOTES (Village) KOURITES
In Lambiotes is the Byzantine church of the Panagia which contains
frescoes with a western influence. There is also a coat of arms on a tomb on the
exterior wall of the church.
LAGKADA (Village) AMORGOS
Agia Triada - Hanging on a ledge under an overhang, the small Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) church, reminds of the position and appearance of Hozoviotissa. It was built during the years of piracy and it was used as an occasional hiding place for the Aegialis population. It is only 5 minutes walk from Lagada village, and overlooks the whole area of Tholaria, Lagada, and the valley of Aegialis with the port. There is a spring festival every year, 50 days after Greek easter.
LAPPEI (Municipality) RETHYMNO
The Municipality is dotted with Byzantine churches which are extremely
interesting both from architectural and religious painting point of view. In Miriokefala
there is the church Panaghia one of the oldest convents of Crete
with murals from the periods. Other churches too of the nearby area are painted
with murals.
We also find many picturesque chapels such as the chapel St. John
known also as Aghia Dinami, which is located in the cave where the river Mouselas
has its source, the church of Jesus Christ in Arhondiki,
St. George in Episkopi, St.
Antony in Karoti, the Five
Virgins in Argiroupoli etc.
This text (extract) is cited February 2004 from the Municipality
of Lappes tourist pamphlet.
LASSI (Village) KEFALLONIA
LATSIDA (Village) NEAPOLI
Above Latsida, in a very picturesque setting with a view of the valley
below, is the beautiful Byzantine church of the Panagia of Vigli. The church has
an unusual door decoration, cruciform architecture and interesting wall paintings.
A Venetian fountain is behind the church.
LAZARATA (Small town) LEFKADA
Many traditional belfries, each with its own special characteristics, decorate
the churches of Sfakiotes. Two of the most beautiful are those of the churches
of Ayios (Saint) Dionysios and Ayios Spyridon at Lazarata, which were built over
150 years ago. They still stand tall and proud, supporting the bells which call
the Christian population to every service, in moments of joy and sorrow. The church
of Ayios Spyridon was first built in the mid-eighteenth century. It has a white
and gold baroque-style iconostasis with slender columns in the Corinthian order.
The icon of the Archangel Michael in the shutter of the door is most likely a
work of the eminent icon painter V. Sideris (1894).
This extract is cited April 2004 from the Prefecture of Lefkada URL below, which contains images
LEDAS (Settlement) HERAKLIO
The Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis Theologos has been built on
top of an ancient basilica using material from the basilica. The remains of the
older three-aisled basilica are still visible.
LEFKADA (Town) IONIAN ISLANDS
Metropolis church
With its elaborate wooden icon screen and fine frescoes, Saint Spyridon is one of the island's most interesting churches. It was built in the 17th century.
A church built around 1700. It is decorated with a wood-carved baroque icon screen and superb frescoes, the work of some representative icon-painters of the Ionian islands.
An 18th century church with religious paintings of considerable interest.
Built in the 18th century. Worth visiting for its stone campanile, its icon screen and frescoes by Spiros Gazis.
A church built in the 18th century, property of the Valaoritis family. In the church there are tombs of distinguished citizens of Lefkas. Behind the church in the garden is the grave of the poet Aristoteles Valaoritis.
The main points of interest in this very old church (built in 1688) are the frescoes by the Lefkas icon painter Spiros Gazis, the marble icon screen and the episcopal throne.
It was built in the 19th century.
LEONTARI (Village) FALESSIA
Tel: +30 27910 22021
The
church is a combination of two architectural types: it is a three-aisled basilica
on the ground floor, and a cross-vaulted church on the upper floor, of the composite,
four columned type, with five domes. The central east apse is five-sided while
the two lateral ones are semihexagonal. To the west is a two-storeyed, domed narthex,
richly decorated with wall paintings of the Palaeologan art of the 14th century.
The good quality frescoes are today partly covered by a later plaster.
The restoration of the monument was carried out in 1972 and the roof
tiles were replaced in 1990. Work for the restoration and cleaning of the wall
paintings has also been undertaken. Today it is the parish church of the village.
The area of Leontarion is full of remains of the Byzantine period,
which indicate that it was of great importance to the Despotate of Moreas. Other
Byzantine monuments to be seen in the area are: the Castle of Leontarion, the
church of St. Athanase (14th century), of the Taxiarchs, of Aghioi Pantes (14th
century), of St. George, of Prophet Elias, of St. John as well as many abandoned
monuments: the Monastery of St. Nicholas, the churches of St. Basil, of St. Kyriaki
and of the Transfiguration of Christ.
LEROS (Port) DODEKANISSOS
It is a cross - inscribed two columned church with cupola. The multiple
repairs during the 18th and 19th century in the cross' s side arms, have altered
the form of the monument: today it is a three aisled cross vault basilica, with
a semi - circular apse.
Countless early christian and middle byzantine capitals, architraves
etc. have been walled up in the church' s masonry.
The most important piece of frescoe, depicting the Communion of St
Mary the Egyptian by Zosimas, is on the northwestern part of the church and dated
in the 13th century.
The church is from time to time repaired. It is a place of worship.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
LIPARO (Village) GIANNITSA
The Saint Paul church of Liparo was founded in 1952 and consecrated
in 27th of May 1962. In the village cemetery is situated the Byzantine church
that dates back in the beginning of 606 A.D. In an undefined date and at the point
where Saint John the Baptist's icon was found by a farmer, a church was built
dedicated to his memory. Here used to come the residents of all the neighboring
villages and there is evidence that it used to operate as a secret school.
The church used to be larger than it is now, but its one side was
pulled down and the wall paintings were covered by lime, as well as the religious
painted screen was covered by oil paints. It was built in the Royal style and
it has three aisles with painting decoration on the architraves, where scenes
of the gospel interchange with representations of Evangelists. Important is the
woodcut gilded bishop’s throne, that the decoration is based on embossed and performed
technic. The subjects are mostly plants and partially animals, with dragons, lions
and water birds. The church has been proclaimed a preserved monument by the Ministry
of Culture and it is included (with the tomb) into the map of the ancient and
Byzantine monuments of the prefecture.
This text is cited May 2005 from the Municipality of Megas Alexandros URL below, which contains images
LIPSI (Island) DODEKANISSOS
17th century.
Tel: +30 22470 41205
16th century.
LISSOS (Ancient city) PELEKANOS
The church of the Panagia, near the temple of Asklipios contains frescoes.
The church of Agios Kirikos near the shore is very interesting because it has been built on the site of an earlier basilica, and has used building material from it. One can see marble columns and marbles with crosses and other decorations integrated within the walls of the newer Byzantine church.
This extact is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
LITHAKIA (Village) ZAKYNTHOS
The church of St Ioannis at the village of Lithakia is a typical sample of Zakynthian ecclesiastic architecture. The church of Faneromeni at the village of Lithakia, built in 14th century, with valuable icons and excellent wood-carved screen.
LITHINA (Village) MAKRYS GIALOS
The Byzantine church of Agii Apostoli containing well-preserved frescoes
from 1415 is in the area of Andromili. It is a single-aisled church with a narthex
on the side of the church and at right angles to it.
The Byzantine church of the Panagia in Lithines contains frescoes
which are unfortunately darkened by smoke, but has a collection of good icons.
The Byzantine church of Agios Athanasios has a number of decorative
plates and an inscription stating that it was renovated in 1587. Outside the church
is the tomb of a man named Vlatsos. The church also has an elaborate altar screen.
LOUSSAKIES (Village) KISSAMOS
In the cemetery of Lousakies is the Byzantine church of Agios Polikarpos, Agios Charalambos and Agios Nikolaos. The church has cruciform architecture with a dome on a drum in the middle and a narthex in the front. Side aisles give it an overall rectangular shape. The church is best seen from above, near the new church.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
LOUTRAKI (Town) CORINTHIA
Our Lady “tou Prathi” is one of the most important Byzantine
monuments in the Loutraki area. It lies 20 km. from Loutraki, at an altitude of
1,150 metres on an idyllic plateau in the Geraneia
mountains, surrounded by pine-trees and firs. Once there was a wealthy coenobitic
monastery on the same site; its history is recorded from the Byzantine period
to 1821. Of that original foundation, traces of some cells and storerooms have
survived, along with the catholicon, which dates from the eleventh century. It
was dedicated to Our Lady “Phaneromene”, but it is popularly known
as Our Lady “tou Prathi”. The church is most notable for its excellent
wall paintings, in the Byzantine style and on Biblical themes. On the right-hand
door of the sanctuary is a plaque recording that the wall paintings were executed
in 1466.
Another church, dedicated to the Dormition of Our Lady, was built
at a later date a few meters to the north of the old catholicon. This is a notably
well-constructed three-aisled basilica with a dome. The enchanting natural setting
of the two churches and their wealth of history make a visit to the site unforgettable.
In the center of the city of Loutraki is the impressive and peaceful
Cathedral dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. An earthquake destroyed the first
building, which was founded on February 1st 1886. The present Church was built
in the same place in 1933 and founded by His Reverence Metropolite Damaskinos
on April 10, 1933.
The style of the church based on a study of Orlando, is a three-aisle
basilica with its middle aisle raised in order to obtain plenty and natural sunlight.
The yard is beautifully taken care of and artistically planted. In the N.W. of
the church stands the Campanile with a built-in staircase. The hagiography is
exceptional and according to Byzantine style. This can be seen in the masterpiece
of The Most Holy Virgin Mother in the middle niche of the sanctuary, dated prior
to 1930s. In the church there are some portable holy icons and delicated wood-carved
holy icon-stands of Saint John the Baptist and Osios Patapios.
The commemoration of Saint John The Baptist is devoutly celebrated
on August 29 of each year.
In the center of Loutraki stands the imposing church of Our Lady,
an unshakeable pillar of the faith of the Ιοcal people. Inside is kept a miraculous
icon of Our Lady, with an interesting history and origins.
The icon once belonged to a lady called Maria who was visiting continuously
Loutraki on her holidays in the 1920s. She stayed in the house of an old lady
called Maria Sokou - the two women had become friends- to whom she gave an icon
of Our Lady, which she had brought to Greece
from Jerusalem. The icon,
measuring 57 cm. by 49 cm., shows Our Lady as a young woman, holding the divine
infant. The donor of the icon died as she had predicted - three weeks later,
but Maria Sokou kept the precious gift, which had the property of instilling hope
and consolation in all those who sought the succor of Our Lady: Countless miracles
were attributed to the icon, and its renown soon spread beyond Loutraki. In 1928,
the foundations were laid to the first church dedicated to Our Lady in which the
icon was housed, but it soon proved too small for the hosts of pilgrims and thus
a new and larger church was built in 1960.
The new church, which we see today, is a three-aisled basilica with
an octagonal dome. There are the wooden screen and the carved wooden iconostasis
from the church of 1928, and the paintings are the work of Κ. Yeorgakopoulos and
D. Soukaras (1966). The church of Our Lady “Yatrissa” holds its feast
on 8 September; on the previous day, the icon was carried in procession round
the town, with the participation of ecclesiastical, civil and military authorities
from all over Greece.
In the east of the city of Loutraki, on the foot of the Gerania
mountain, is the imposingly serene and of double hypostases holy church of Agios
Fanourios and Apostle Kosmas Etolos.
The commemoration of the Saints is devoutly celebrated on August 24
& August 27 respectively every year.
The church was built in 1968 on the foundations of another smaller
church and was consecrated by His Reverence Metropolite Panteleimona on July 31,
1969. It is built with a double casted tiled roof and an eight-sided dome with
a single foiled window on each side.
The courtyard, in the west, is nicely planted and in the north stands
the imperial Campanile adjoined to the main temple with an arched pilar shed.
The inside walls are beautifully detailed with Saints and Byzantine
Signs. Of special interest is the hagiography in the inner dome, of Pantocrator.
A fine oratory dedicated to Agios Prokopios has been recently added,
in the north of the church.
The church of St Andrew, in Loutraki itself, is the most prominent
feature in the old spa town. It was built in 1345 by the Byzantine Emperor John
VI Kantakouzenos in commemoration of the persecution of St Andrew. The bearing
structure of the church was seriously damaged by the earthquake of 1981, and has
had to be supported. However, the repair work is scheduled to be completed soon,
and the church will be restored to its original form.
St Andrew has all the features typical of Byzantine churches. It is
a three-aisled basilica with a dome resting on a cylindrical drum, a tripartite
sanctuary and an interesting stone-built screen. According to the local people,
its walls were once covered with paintings, but these have disappeared. On the
north side of the precinct, some steps lead down to a cave in which St Andrew
took refuge from the Roman soldiers who were pursuing him. According to tradition,
after he had entered the cave a thick spider’s web covered its entrance
so that the saint’s pursuers could not see where he had gone.
The picturesque chapel of St George stands a short way outside Loutraki,
on the road leading to Perachora.
It was built in 1938 and has an elegant porch and a tiled pitched roof. There
is an excellent view of the Gulf
of Corinth from the vicinity of the chapel.
As we follow the beautiful route to Preacher and enjoy the fine view
out across the Gulf of Corinth,
we come to the attractive church of St Paraskevi, 6 km. from Loutraki. The first
church on the site was built in 1952; this standing there today, was built after
the earthquake of 1981, and is a single-aisled structure with a vaulted roof.
LYGOURIO (Small town) ASKLIPIIO
The
church is of the octagonal, two-column, cross-in-square type, and was built
in the 12th century A.D. The semi-hexagonal apse dominates the east side, and
a narthex was later added on the west. The walls are built in the careless "cloisonne"
masonry on the upper part and of rubble stones (large blocks or ancient spolia)
with limited use of brick ornaments. Fragments of wall paintings, dated to the
12th century, have survived inside the church. "Sgrafitti" of ships are preserved
on the stucco of the wall paintings of the narthex.
Although the area is full of antiquities dating from the ancient
and Byzantine era, neither the church nor the settlement of Lygourio are mentioned
in Byzantine and post-Byzantine literary sources. The first reference to the castle
of Lygourio dates from the middle of the 15th century. The church might have been
the catholicon (main church) of a monastery, a suggestion supported by the remains
of Middle-Byzantine walls found in the vicinity, probably belonging to a monastery.
The church has been restored and the surrounding area has been remodelled by the
5th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities.
In Lygourio and the surrounding area, several more important monuments
are to be seen:
•the aisless church of St. Athanase, dated to 1622,
•the church of Panaghia, of the four-column, cross-in-square, domed type,
built in 1701,
•the domed, cross-in-square church of St. John Theologos, built in the middle
of the 11th century,
•the post-Byzantine cross-in-square church of St. Marina, and the single-aisled
church of St. Mercourios,
•the catholicon of a destroyed monastery, founded in the early phase of the
Turkish occupation.
LYKTOS (Ancient city) KASTELI
The city also existed in Byzantine times. The church of Timios Stavros
is built on the site of an earlier, fifth century, basilica.
MACHERADO (Village) ZAKYNTHOS
The church of St Mavra at the village of Macherado with excellent works of ecclesiastic art in the internal.
MAKRINITSA (Village) VOLOS
To the west of the side of the square lies Agios Ioannis temple (1806)
with rich stone curved decoration that composes the most unique work of art in
the after Byzantine Architecture. For more eastern from the central square, there
is the church of the Blessed Panagias, the village's cathedral church, built in
1767 and decorated with rich stone curves, as well, part of wich belongs to the
old Byzantine convent of Oxias Episkepseos that Konstantine Malliasinos built
in 1204. In the enclosure of the church there are the temples of Agion Padon and
Agios Nikolaos. The Bishop's throne has been registrated in 1743, by after Byzantine
frescoes.
Other churches are Agiou Athanasiou in 1792, Agiou Georgiou, Metamorfosis
in 1797, Agias Triadas that was decorated by the folk painter Pagoni, the monastery
of Agiou Gerasimou in 1792 and finaly the impressive temple of Agia Magdalini
in Koukourava in 1802.
This text is cited September 2004 from the Community of Makrinitsa URL below, which contains images
MALEME (Village) PLATANIAS
The Byzantine church of Agii Apostoli is in Pirgos Psilonerou, near Maleme. It was built in 1530 and has a very interesting carving above its door.
MANTINIA (Municipality) ARCADIA
MANTINIA (Ancient city) ARCADIA
MARATHOS (Village) AGRAFA
It was built in 1772 and features 18th century murals.
MARKOPOULO (Village) KEFALLONIA
MATALA (Village) HERAKLIO
The small Byzantine church of the Panagia built within a cave, with
two marble altars and column capitals from an earlier church of the first Byzantine
period, is located here.
MAVRATA (Village) KEFALLONIA
MAZA (Village) KRYONERIDA
The thirteen century Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos is in the
middle of the village of Maza, and it is open to visitors. The church has frescoes
by Ioannis Pagomenos; the painter is also buried under the church.
MEGALO CHORIO (Village) TILOS
MEGALOCHARI (Village) ARTA
MEGISTI (Village) DODEKANISSOS
MELISSOURGI (Small town) ARTA
MENTZAVINATA (Village) KEFALLONIA
MERONAS (Village) SYVRITO
In the centre of the village of Meronas is the Byzantine church of
the Panagia. The architecture of the church is distinctive because the dome is
supported on the north side of the church. The three aisles of the church are
unequal in length and of different ages. On the back walls of the church there
are blind arches in each one of the three semicircles of the apses. Above the
door is the coat-of-arms of Kalergis (an important Cretan family during the Venetian
era). The doors and windows are elegantly carved, and a there is also a decorative
melon carving. As well as some very distinctive frescoes the church also contains
a fourteenth century icon of the Panagia.
This extract is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
MESKLA (Village) MOUSSOURI
In the lower part of the village on a dirt road, there is the Byzantine
church of Sotiras Christos with wall paintings by Theodore and Michalis Venieri
(1403), many of which, unfortunately, are in poor condition. The artists signed
their names on the donor's inscription.
The church of the Panagia (14C) dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin was built on the remains of an older temple dating from the Classical period and some mosaics were recently removed from a fifth or sixth century church. It is at the end of the village in front of the large newer church of the same name.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
The church of Michael Archangelos has a column of an earlier building
on its roof. The church is at the entrance of the village
MESSANAGROS (Village) NOTIA RODOS
It is dated in the 16th-17th century.
1734
MESSELERI (Village) IERAPETRA
On a very difficult road is the Byzantine church of the Panagia Kera
Grameni, near the top of a hill, with an exceptional view of the coastline of
south Crete and the plains near Ierapetra. The church has frescoes inside, but
they are not very well-preserved.
MESSOPYRGOS (Village) ARTA
Aghia Paraskevi is one of the most ancient churches of the village.
The sign on its lintel that reads the date 29 March 1709 is more recent and refers
to a repairing of the church. It is odd and at the same time miraculous how its
frescoes escaped the catastrophe caused by the Turks in 1822, something that did
not happen with some other churches of the village. In the centre of the dome
Pantokrator dominates. Scenes of Jesus' life and Passion are depicted on the right
and left walls. Pictures of saints complement those representations. The predominant
feature in the hagiographies in question is the naivety and the innocence of the
saints.
It is worth mentioning here that the large number of churches inside
and outside the village reveals the peak the region reached during Middle Age.
Inside the village there were nineteen churches most of which exist up to these
days, in a very good condition. Outside the village there were seventeen more
and all of them still persist. The wider expanse of Mesta used to have thirty-seven
churches on the whole. Two of them operated as schools since the end of the last
century. Christ's church at the square (it does not exist nowadays) was a boys'
school and St. Mary's church was a girls' school. The fact that Mesta dwellers
had very early been interested in their children's education shows their thirst
for learning.
This text is cited Febr 2004 from the Chios Prefecture Tourism Committee URL below.
METSOVO (Small town) IOANNINA
Tel: +30 26560 41244
MIKRO MONASTIRI (Small town) THESSALONIKI
MIKROLIMNI (Village) PRESPES
It dates back to the 19th century.
It was built in 1908.
MIKROSPILIA (Village) ARTA
Preserved monument
MILIONAS (Settlement) PRESPES
Outside the nearly deserted village of Milionas is the church of Ayios Nikolaos.
The 18th and 19th c icons from the church and the local tradition testify to the
existence of an earlier church on the same site. Another church dedicated to Ayia
Paraskevi, daded 1905, is found in Milionas.
The Byzantine church of Timios Stavros is a small, well-preserved,
white-washed church. It is cruciform with a dome which has characteristic arches
inside.
MOLYVDOSKEPASTOS (Village) KONITSA
Tel: +30 26550 22624
MONI (Settlement) ANATOLIKO SELINO
The church of Agios Nikolaos has a Venetian bell tower and Byzantine
wall paintings from 1315 by Ioannis Pagomenos. There is an unusually large fresco
of Agios Nikolaos. The church is not seen from the road.
MONI (Village) NAXOS
The church is near the village of Moni in the area of Tragaia, Naxos. It is an Early Christian, tri-apsidal church with a dome. Three single-room chapels are incorporated along the northern side. The interior wall surfaces have wall paintings of various phases.The earliest layer of wall paintings, which dates to the end of the 6th and beginning of the 7th centuries has been revealed in the dome, the sanctum and in the northern apse. The latest layer on both dome and apse is datable to the 13th and 14th centuries; it has been removed from the wall.
The church was probably originally the Katholikon of the Monastery. Later on, information about the Drosiane is given by the Duke of the Aegean Sea, Ioannes IV Crispos (1555) and others. In addition, benedictory inscriptions of the 6th and 7th centuries are preserved on the walls.
The church was restored in 1964. Cleaning of the wall paintings and removal of the most recent layers has been carried out over the years 1964 - 1971.
This text is cited Mar 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
MONI ASSOMATON (Monastery) SYVRITO
West of the Monastery of Asomatos the Church of Aghia Paraskevi, a cruciform church with a cupola, is situated, which was probably built during the 13th century and restored during either the 15th or the 16th century. At the north wall of the church a tomb with a vaulted apse can be found, in the interior of which two figures with raised hands are depicted. According to the inscription they represent the brothers Theodoros and Georgios Hortatzis
MONI CHRYSSOPIGIS (Monastery) ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS
The Chrysopigi Monastery contains the church of the Panagia. It has
cruciform architecture with a non-symmetric cross and a large dome at its intersection
of the aisles. With the addition of two side rooms, externally it forms a rectangular
shape. It has a narthex in the front of the church separated into three parts,
the central part leading into the main church.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
MONI DOUSSIKOU (Monastery) TRIKALA
In a picturesque location of Koziakas
and in the vicinity of the community of Agios Vissarionas (known as Dousiko) the
Abbey of Agios Vissarionas or Abbey of Dousiko. The church of the abbey was built
in 1545 and was decorated with hagiographies in 1558, by the famous painter of
the Cretan School Georgy. This must have been built in the place of the first
temple, which Agios Vissarionas built, proprietor of the abbey. The abbey was
one of the most wealthy monasteries since it had 366 cells, rich library and many
relics.
This text is cited Oct 2003 from the Municipality of Pyli URL below, which contains images.
MONI TIMIOU PRODROMOU SERON (Monastery) SERRES
The wall paintings of the main church (katholikon) have been painted
by different hagiographers. The oldest among them are those carried out during
the prior ship of the second proprietor, Ioakem (1300-1333), and are distinguished
by their expressiveness, their realism and their passivity that also characterize
contemporary wall paintings preserved in Thessaloniki,
the Holy Mount and Macedonia.
From those fresco murals today are preserved only a few samples. The nave does
not preserve any part of the initial decoration. The latest decoration dates from
1803. the carved wooden iconostasis, of walnut wood, dates from 1804 and being
among the most noteworthy it excites the admiration of the visitors.
This text (extract) is cited September 2003 from the Prefecture
of Serres tourist pamphlet.
1. Chapel of St. Nikolas
2. Chapel of St. Spiridonas and St. John the proprietor
3. Chapel of St. John Prodromos or "Prodromoudi"
4. Chapel of Taxiarches (archangels)
5. Chapel of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Those chapels are situated inside the precinct of the Monastery. The
oldest among them is the "Prodromoudi" dating from the 12th century
and feasting on the birthday of St. John Prodromos. Many secondary constructions
(aqueducts, bridges, guest rooms) have been erected outside the precinct of the
Monastery and 6 chapels that still preserve famous wall paintings. The most outstanding
among them is the chapel of the Dormition of the Virgin that constitutes the cemetery
church of the Monastery.
This text (extract) is cited September 2003 from the Prefecture
of Serres tourist pamphlet.
MONOCHORO (Settlement) MIRES
In the small village Monohoro, just north of Mires, is the Byzantine
church of the Panagia. The church of the Panagia contains frescoes of 1345, in
one the donor is presented in a garden. The church has an unusual door with relief
and paintings above the it. Another old collapsed church is just in front of the
Panagia.
This extract is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
MONODENDRI (Village) KENTRIKO ZAGORI
Tel: +30 26530 24680
MONOPOLATA (Village) KEFALLONIA
Vassilic order
MOUDROS (Small town) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
The church of the Taxiarches dates to the 14th century.
The church was built in 1904.
MOURI (Village) GEORGIOUPOLI
The Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos has unusual architecture. Although it is a cruciform Byzantine style of architecture, its transept is higher than its nave. Usually, in most cruciform architecture churches the reverse is true, or both aisles are of the same height. The church contains frescoes; the most interesting is the unusually large painting of Agios Nikolaos.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
MOURNE (Village) LAMBI
The church of Agia Marina is in a forested area and contains frescoes.
The church of the Panagia in Demblohori has attractive frescoes inside.
On the north side of the church there is an inscription and the date 1417. The
church has two aisles and a narthex which is a continuation of the north aisle
but a bit wider. A very unusual stone arch, painted with frescoes, separates the
narthex from the main church.
MOURNIES (Small town) ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS
The small Byzantine church of Profitis Ilias is near the village,
nearby on top of a small hill. The small church is very unusual in that it has
a baroque style front with reliefs including a coat of arms of the Kalergis family
(an important Cretan family during the Venetian era), lions, and inscriptions.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
MYKONOS (Town) KYKLADES
Tel: +30 22890 25250, 25976
Fax: +30 22890 23350
The founding of the Paraportiane church
must coincide with the growth
of the settlement of the fortress (Castro) of Chora during the 15th and 16th centuries.
It is a two storey complex comprising five little churches.
The bottom floor consists of four churches and a passageway. The areas
all communicate with each other.
The three little churches consist each of a single vaulted room and
form the western side of the complex.
MYRINA (Small town) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
The church of Agia Triada (= The Holy Three) was built by the Metropolitan
Ioannikio around 1724 in the place of an older church. The church was destroyed
by the Turks in 1770 after the Turkish - Russian war and started to be re-built
with a slow pace from 1835 with donations from the local people and those that
had migrated to Egypt. The required wood came in 1865 from Odysso, a donation
from a Lemnian ship captain. The iconostasis is wooden-carved and full of byzantine
icons. On the right side of the iconostasis is a icon of Agia Triada. Most of
the icons are painted around the middle of the 18th century but older ones are
also found
MYRIOKEFALA (Village) RETHYMNO
The Byzantine church of the Panagia Kardiotissa of the monastery of
Theotokou of Antifonitrias contains very well-preserved frescoes from the twelfth
century. The church has cruciform architecture with a large dome on a drum, and
a large narthex in front of the church. The narthex has blind arches and it is
also painted.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
MYSTRAS (Byzantine settlement) PELOPONNISOS
The church was built in the 14th century by Manuel Cantacuzenus, first
Despot of Mystra. In a probable attempt to revive memories of the Constantinopoitan
way of life, he have this official palace chapel a name, hallowed by tradition,
that would recall the "Great Church" of the capital.
Here, it is said, were laid the bones of Theodora Tocco, first wife
of Constantine Palaelogus; here too, it is believed, was buried Cleopa Malatesta,
wife of Theodore Palaelogos.
The architectural style of St. Sophia - distyle cruciform crowned
by a dome - is similar to that of the Evanghelistria.
The narthex, crowned by a large dome, is unusually large in relation
to the main naos. On the north side, from which the visitor now enters the church,
there is a portico, and chapels have been built in the four angles of the church.
The elegant silhouette of the belfry rises at the west end of the portico. During
the Turkish occupation, when St. Sophia converted into a mosque, the belfry served
as a minaret.
Only a few of the original frescoes are preserved in the church. The
fact that one of these representing Christ, spreads across the sanctuary apse
may have given rise to the theory that the church was dedicated to Christ, the
Life-Giver, and not, as traditionally believed, to the Holy Wisdom. On a higher
level are four angels holding a circular Glory which formed part of a large composition
of the Ascension covering the entire surface of the vault in the sanctuary.
More frescoes are preserved in the two east chapels, one of which
is entered from the church, the other from outside. On the walls of the first
chapel are depicted Christ, the Nativity of the Virgin above the entrance, and
the Divine Liturgy. Nearly all the frescoes in the second chapel are well preserved:
the "Virgin Platytera", the Dormition of the Virgin, the Crucifixion,
the Descent into the Hell, the Pantocrator and the Heavenly Powers.
Fragments of sculptural decoration, including the Monorgan of Manuel
Cantacuzenus, the founder, and the Double-Headed Eagle of the Paleologoi are preserved
on the capital of a column. The words Despotis and Cantacouzinos, are inscribed
in abbreviated form on the capitals of two marble pilasters near the narthex.
Outside, a few meters beyond the present entrance to the church, two round holes
in the ground indicate the position of a large underground cistern in which water
was preserved for the needs of the Monastery, Running water, flowing in pipes
from the opposite side of the Mountain, which is very fertile, only reached the
level of the Palace. Higher up, in the direction of the Castle, there are neither
remains nor traces of a single fountain, other than cisterns for preserving rain
water.
The elegant oblong building with numerous apertures and apses near
the north-west of the belfry was the refectory of the Monastery. Full length figures
of saints which decorated all the apses and apertures of the edifice can still
be distinguished.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Laconian Professionals URL below, which contains images.
Few facts regarding the history of the church, which must have been
built in the 14th or 15th century, have come down to us.
The proportions are pleasing, and there are some beautiful brick revetments,
especially on the exterior wall of the sanctuary. Architecturally, the Evanghelistria
is distyly cruciform, like the Peribleptos and St. Sophia. Judging form fragments
of frescoes, on must conclude that the church was decorated in the 15th century,
with the exception of the "iconostassis" which is adorned with inferior
paintings of the late 19th. On the other hand, the sculptural decoration is not
without interest, its unity of style indicating that all the sculptures were carved
for this church itself, instead of what we see in the other churches of Mystra.
The capitals, the door-surround of the "Beautiful Gate" and the inner
entrance to the church are characteristic specimens of this form of sculpture.
Behind the church other buildings have been added to the main edifice.
The stairway leading to the women's balcony, the roof of which no longer survives
was here.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Laconian Professionals URL below, which contains image.
Build in the 15th century (1428), by John Phrangopoulos, the Pantanassa
was the last edifice to be raised during the Despotate, and it provides an example
of a harmonious conflation of the various styles of church architecture fashionable
at Mystra into a single unity.
Architecturally, the Pantanassa resembles the Aphendiko and the Metropolis:
basilica type below, cruciform with domes on the upper storey.
Two porticoes, one (preserved intact) overlooking the valley of the
Eurotas, another outside the narthex, and of which only traces of the base of
the wall survive, provided a felicitous harmony to the church's numerous architectural
volumes. These porticoes, a popular feature of ecclesiastical architecture at
Mystra, although of Constantipolitan origin, were adapted with such a sound sense
of both calculation and fantasy to the difficulties inherent in the configuration
of the ground that they succeeded, in conformity with the space available, in
achieving a most original and aesthetically satisfying equipoise to the various
architectural volumes. In the north-west corner a superb four-storied belfry with
foundations in the court, and whose lowest storey contains a chapel .surmounts
the whole complex of buildings. The two upper stories of the belfry have large
pointed arches of Gothic influence with "tympana" decorated with threefold
apertures on all four sides. Unmistakable indicators of Western artistic influences
are apparent in whole construction; the melon shaped cupola the turrets on the
summit, the small windows with a cupola trefoil design above the colonnade.
Different artistic styles are also evident in the expert and lavish
exterior decoration of the sanctuary, which is divided into three zones. The upper
zone, embellished with brickwork decoration,is indeed completely Byzantine. if
not Constantinopolitan, in style; The middle one, late Gothic in style, is decorated
with small pointed arches and stone-wrought garlands adorned with blooms; the
lower one is plain and unadorned.
The church which, apart from the dome, has remained intact, unharmed
by the ravages of time, possesses frescoes in a relatively good state of preservation.
From the women's gallery upwards, the paintings are of the Byzantine
period, contemporary with the actual foundation of the church. The most characteristic
works are the "Virgin Platytera" in the sanctuary and, on a higher level
the Ascension which spreads across the entire vault of the sanctuary. In the curved
expanse of the east arm of the cross which circumscribes the base of the dome
are depicted the Entry to Jerusalem and the Descent into Hell, which is in a women's
gallery are representations of the Annunciation on the left, the Nativity on the
right.
The Presentation in the Temple and a somewhat damaged Baptism spread
across the west vault near the narthex. In the north vault are depictions of the
Transfiguration and the Raising of Lazarus. The little domes and walls of the
women's gallery are decorated with fairly well preserved figures of prophets.
The frescoes on the upper register are the last representative works
of Byzantine art, which, although "now approaching its twilight", still
possessed sufficiently dynamic potentialities to "create new styles"
and raise "pretty little Churches". These frescoes are distinguished
by a wide range of lavish colour - combinations unique in Byzantine art, by the
number of figures depicted in the compositions, by the crowded architectural detail
with numerous edifices filling in the background of the various scenes, and, above
by a tendency to reproduce a human form which corresponded physically to the setting
in which it was placed.
On the south side of the narthex is the tomb of Manuel Hadzikis, a
Byzantine notable of Mystra, who is depicted on the wall in an attitude of prayer.
Tradition has it that the bones of Theodora Tocco, first wife of Constantine
Palaelogous, were lain in the Pantanassa. On the other hand, the historian Phratzis
records that her mortal remains were buried in 1429 in the Monastery of the Life-Giver,
that is to say, St. Sophia.
The hospitable nuns of the Pantanassa, who charm the visitors with
their civility and kindness, are the last remaining inhabitants of the ruined
city, destined to play the dual role of survivors and guardians of the Byzantine
tradition.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Laconian Professionals URL below, which contains images.
A bas-relief with a design of two upright heraldic lions on either
side of the monogram of the Peribleptos surmounts the arched entrance of the peribolus
of the Monastery. Little is known of either the history of the church or of its
founder. There are only two indications: one of a representation of a man and
woman, doubtless the founders, offering a model of the church to the Virgin, on
the tympanum of the blind arch of the drum on the west wall of the lower storey,
below the depiction of the Descent into Hell: the other consists of the name of
Byzantine notable, Leon Mavropappas, inscribed above the outer entrance of the
adjacent narthex which is of a later date.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Laconian Professionals URL below, which contains images.
Two buildings of the original monastery survive: the church with its
chapels, and the refectory, a tower-like edifice with distinct Frankish features,
situated on the north side of the peribolous. Architecturally the Peribleptos
belongs to the type of distyle cruciform
The Peribleptos possesses the most lavish and best preserved painted
decoration at Mystra. The frescoes, cleaned in 1962, are dated to the mid 14th
century. The walls of the Prothesis immediately left of entrance, are decorated
with a magnificent Divine Liturgy, one of the finest frescoes in the whole of
Mystra. A meticulous attention to rhythm, which seems to create the effect of
a serene other-worldliness, emphasizes the whole composition, which is rendered
particularly striking by the uniform angularities of the movements of the figures
in the divine procession. The Virgin Platytera is depicted in the ape of the sanctuary.
Higher up, the entire vault is covered with a representation of the Ascension,
with four superb angels surrounding Christ.
On the two walls below are depicted scenes from the Holy Communion.
On the upper part of the apse of the Diaconicon there is a marvelously
preserved Sleeping Christ, in the left vault the Denial of Peter and the Road
to Calvary and the Crucifixion. In the vaults surrounding the dome unfold scenes
from the Dodekaorton
In the east vault are representations of the Transfiguration and the
Raising of Lazarus, and right of the Last Supper and the Entry into Jerusalem;
in the north vault Pentecost and the Incredulity of Thomas.
Alone among the churches of Mystra the Peribleptos preserves frescoes
in the dome; a grandiose pantocrator which occupies a small sector in the center.
while the remaining surface each containing a Cherubim at the top and a pair of
Prophets below, the Virgin flanked by two Angels and directly opposite, the Preparation
of the Throne
Scenes of the Passion cover the walls of the church. Among the most
beautiful are the Descent from the Cross on the south wall and the Descent into
Hell on the west wall above the fresco of the founders.
The life of the Virgin is lavishly illustrated in a band which girdles
almost the entire church. The finest of these scenes is the grandiose Dormition
on the north wall, immediately above the entrance. On a lower level full-length
life-size figures of military saints, angels, prophets and bishops are depicted
on pilasters, arches and the remaining expanses of wall-space. The border tendencies
which distinguished the painted decoration of the Aphendiko are less evident here.
The conservative spirit which prevailed in mid-14th century Byzantium under the
Cantacuzenus dynasty seems to have influenced the creative are of the period.
The world-famous frescoes of the Peribleptos, while bearing a remarkable resemblance
to the detailed work characteristic of portative icons, also foreshadowed the
so-called Cretan School which was to dominate the post-Byzantine period.
The church was restored in 1954. Judging from the few surviving frescoes - figures of Apostles on the central arch of the south wall, St. Christopher (of which only the head survives) on a lower above the doorway, and a bishop enthroned on the following tympanum - the church can be dated to the late 14th century. These small chapels, mostly sepulchres, scattered all over the hill of Mystra, served as private churches of distinguished families.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Laconian Professionals URL below, which contains image.
Restored in 1953, this is one of the most characteristic of Mystra's chapels. The south roof, with its attractive brickwork decoration, is particularly interesting. Like other chapels at Mystra, St. George served as a private church, the property of some aristocratic family whose members were buried here.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Laconian Professionals URL below, which contains image.
The exterior brickwork decoration of the sanctuary is particularly
lavish; moreover the cloissonne walling and glazed plaques create a decorative
ensemble that harmonizes most felicitously with the architectural disposition
of the church. Build in 1295 and restored by Professor Orlandos in 1932, the church
belongs to the type of "cruciform octagonal naos ". The dome is thus
supported at eight points which form an octagon distinguishable in the ground
plan. The church is, in fact, the last extant example of an architectural edifice
of this kind - a type fashionable between the 11th and 13th centuries - later
in date to the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, Daphi (11th century) and St. Sophia
at Monembassia (end 12th century).
The main feature of this type of church is the large dome crowing
a high drum which dominates the whole of the central area of the ground floor
and, by reason of its height, compels the worshipper to turn his gaze unwittingly
to the point where the Pantocrator reigns glory.
Of the church's painted decoration there survive some full-length
figures of "military saints" which are distinguished by the live-liness
and freedom ofmovement of their somewhat realistic attitudes. The style recalls
paintings of the Macedonia School.
Both within and outside the church there are many tombs. The two chapels,
added to the western side of the church and entered from the now blocked-in narthex,
also served as sepulchres, as well as the Prothesis within the sanctuary where
there is the tomb of a certain Manuel Paleologos, according to an inscription
accompanying the relevant representation on the wall. On the interior wall above
the entrance to the Diaconicon extends the Domition of the Virgin in a relatively
good state of preservation, though covered with crystalline deposits.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Laconian Professionals URL below, which contains images.
MYTILINI (Town) LESVOS
Tel: +30 22510 22561
The church
of St Therapon dominates the city of Mytilene owing to both its impressive
mass but mainly to the originality of its architectural type. The erection of
this monument commenced in the beginning of the 19th century by the flourishing
at that time Christian quarter and was completed in 1935. The architect was Argyris
Adalis, Ziller's student.
The architectural order follows the cross-in-square type; however,
the monument constitutes a combination of elements from contemporary architectural
trends that prevailed in the West (Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism etc). Gothic
elements are prevalent as well, adding an impressiveness and a distinctive style
to the monument.
Hellenic
Ministry of Culture WebPage
It is an imposing building at the area of the port and the biggest church in Mytilene. It was built in 1860 and it is a cruciform Byzantine basilica. Among its impressive icons, two are of special value, the one is of Christ (14th century) and the other of Ayios Ioannis (Saint John) the Theologian (15th century).
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains image.
It is the oldest church of Mytilene, built at the edge of the ancient town. It was built in the Byzantine period and reconstructed after its destruction by a fire in 1759 as a three-aisle basilica
MYTILINII (Small town) PYTHAGORIO
•The Church Panagia with a tall clock tower. It features old icons such as
the Three Hierarchs (1674), St. John (1750) and Saint Charalampos (1750).
•The Church of Saint Antonios. It features a collection of old books dating
back to 1689.
•Saint Dimitrios. It features an icon of the Life-giving Source of 1720.
•Saint Matrona
•Saint Nicholas
•The Church Of the Birth of Christ
•Genessis of Theotokos of the Cypriot Church Kikkou.
•The Annunciation of the Mother of Christ belonging the Archidices of Jerusalem.
This extact is cited Febr 2004 from the Municipality of Pythagorio URL below
NAFPLIO (Town) PELOPONNISOS
Potamianou and Kapodistriou Street.
On the west rocks of Akronafplia.
NEA EPIDAVROS (Small town) ARGOLIS
Stands in the castle of New Epidavros, built in the 11th century.
It was full of icons that unfortunately are destroyed, and according to local
stories it had a gold bell that could be heard as far as the island of Aegina.
Until recently, on the wall under the bell there was the Byzantine
puzzle “HERALDING TALK OF HIS SPEECH HYMN, ARTICULATED VOICE NOT HAVING
BUT WELL SOUNDED”. The answer to this was the bell itself.
The text (extract) is cited March 2004 from the Municipality
of Epidavros tourist pamphlet.
Church built on a plateau of New Epidavros, east of the ancient Mycenaean
settlement and cemetery. It was built in the 13th century, and is full of well-kept
icons. Typical is the icon dedicated to local agricultural life.
The text (extract) is cited March 2004 from the Municipality
of Epidavros tourist pamphlet.
NEA KALLIKRATIA (Small town) HALKIDIKI
NEA KIOS (Small town) ARGOLIS
The Byzantine church of «Theomana» where you can find hagiographies by Fotis Kondoglou, the 11th century wonder-working icon of Theomana-Odigitria and the icons of the Koukouzelisa or Triherousa Virgin Mary, the icon of the Annunciation of Virgin Mary and the icon of Portaitissa Virgin Mary.
The Holy Church of St. Irini whitch is one of the largest churches in Argolida with a capacity of more than 1000 people.
NEA MICHANIONA (Small town) THESSALONIKI
Photo Album in URL, information in Greek only.
NEES MALES (Village) IERAPETRA
The Byzantine church of Agios Georgios is in a charming setting in
a plateau under the village (the old village of Agios Georgios) and contains frescoes
and has interesting exterior decorations on its doors and in the back of the church,
as well as blind arches in the sides.
The church of the Panagia Mesohoritisa is a small single-aisled Byzantine
church within the village and contains two layers of frescoes, the later one dated
1431.
The church of Analipsis, just before you enter the village on the
left, has elaborate external decorations and has a head in relief below the roof.
NEOCHORAKI (Village) ARTA
The church dates to the first half of the 13th century.
NEOCHORI (Village) NEVROPOLI AGRAFA
There are frescoes dating to the 16th and 17th century.
NEOI PSATHADES (Village) DIDYMOTICHO
NEON CHORION (Village) VOUKOLIES
In Neo Horio (just as you enter the village, turn left on a narrow
paved road), there is the Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos with its frescoes.
Among them are the paintings of the donor of the church. He is represented in
a garden with the church in his hand. His hair is red-blond and his beard grey.
He wears a black dress that comes to his knees. He has very narrow shoes of the
same colour and on his head he wears a beret.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
NEROTRIVIA (Village) CHALKIDA
The church was built in 1917 and is located at the village's square.
NIPSA (Village) ALEXANDROUPOLI
NISYROS (Port) DODEKANISSOS
NOPIGIA (Settlement) MYTHIMNA
In Nopigia is the Byzantine church of Agios Pandeleimonas. It has
cruciform architecture with a dome and a rectangular floor plan.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
OINOUSSES (Village) NORTH AEGEAN
The church of Aghios Nicolaos (Saint Nicholas) is in the center of this island’s settlement, and is surrounded by traditional houses with tile roofs, the pride and joy of the natives.
OMORFOKLISSIA (Village) KASTORIA
The church was the catholicon (main church) of a monastery and in
its original plan, dated to the end of the 12th century, was cross-in-square of
the contracted type with a narthex. Later on, two more structures were added:
a wider narthex, which incorporated the previously freestanding bell-tower, and
a portico with chapels on the north and south sides. Recent restoration work revealed
fragments of the original layer of the wall paintings on the upper section of
the bell-tower, which has been converted to a chapel. A second layer of good quality
wall paintings, dated to the late 13th century, is preserved on the west wall
of the new narthex. The arcosolium on the north wall of the narthex is probably
connected with the founder's tomb. In a bay on the north wall of the church there
is a unique relief
icon of Saint George, dated to the end of the 13th century.
The monument was first restored in the 1950's but a project for its
complete restoration and rendering has been undertaken since 1989 and is planned
to be completed by 1997.
OROPEDIO LASSITHIOU (Municipality) LASSITHI
At the foot of the mountain in the west side of the Lassithi Plateau
is the relatively new Vidiani Monastery. This monastery dates from 1854, but it
was probably the site of earlier churches as ruins at the entrance indicate.
13th/14th century
13th/14th century
OZDINA (Byzantine settlement) PARAMYTHIA
This church was built in 1609.
PALEFYTO (Small town) GIANNITSA
When the refugees came to Pαlefito from Thrace in 1924, they built
the church of Timios Prodromos in memory of the church that existed in their country.
The church is built in the Royal style and has many icons that the refugees brought
with them from Thrace.
In 1981 the new church of Timios Prodromos was built in the same yard
with the old church. It is a great construction built in the Byzantine style and
contains a narthex and a place set apart only for women. The church was consecrated
in 1998 and then the operation of the old church stopped.
This text is cited June 2005 from the Municipality of Megas Alexandros URL below, which contains image
In the cemetery of the village.
The uprooting of the Greeks from Asia Minor, was violent and they didn’t have
the chance to take with them the holly objects of their church. Its memory always
caused sadness. However, recently they fulfilled their dream for a church in memory
of the one they had in Kydia of Asia Minor, by building the church of Zoodohos
Pigi (The Source of Life).
PALEOCHORI (Village) VOURGARELI
Photo Album in URL, information in Greek only.
PALEOS MYLOTOPOS (Village) GIANNITSA
1756
PALIO PYLI (Settlement) KOS
PANO EPISKOPI (Settlement) SITIA
It is older than the church of Agii Apostoli in Kato Episkopi and
appears to have been a three-aisled basilica originally. It has been renovated
many times and the church has lost its original form. Apparently the renovations
were done by the Venetian bishop, Vidiani.
PANTANASSA (Village) SYVRITO
Just before entering the village, on the road, is the two-aisled Byzantine
church of Agios Ioannis and Agia Triada. The two aisles are separated with arches
with relief decorations in the form of melons. Externally, the church has very
attractive door decorations and an inscription of 1645 on its bell tower. Inside
there is a grave with an coat of arms, inscriptions and decorations.
This extract is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
PANTOKRATORAS (Village) PREVEZA
The iconostasis of this church is decorated with four icons painted by Photis Kontoglou (1954).
PARAMYTHIA (Small town) THESPROTIA
PARTHENI (Village) THESSALONIKI
PARTHENI (Village) LEROS
It is a three aisled contemporary church. It was decorated in 1970
by the political prisoners of the Parthenios K. Tsatires and Karayamis camp. On
the central aisle, the first painter has painted the Dormition of the Virgin,
the four Evangelists, the Man of Sorrows, the Prayer in the Garden of Gesthemane
and scenes of the Virgin' s life. The second, has painted on the South wall, the
Last Supper, the Annunciation, the Baptism, the Crucifixion and the Lamentation.
From time to time, works of restoration and consolidation are carried
out. It is a place of worship.
The church is an historical scheduled building, according to the greek
law, on account of its unique frescoes, painted by exiled artists in Partheni
during the years of dictatorship (1967 - 1974). These frescoes express the anguish
and the forfeiture of freedom of the greek nation during those years.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
It is an aisleless, barrel - vaulted church with saddleback roof covered
with large concave tiles. The apse is trilateral in the exterior and semi circular
in the interior. On the western part, over the entrance, there is a large horse
shoe discharging arch. Inside the sanctuary one sees two early christian marble
panels. On the south wall, a frescoe of St George is dated in the 18th century.
The monument is mentionned in a 1089 document in the Archives of St
Jonh the Theologian' s Holy Monastery in Patmos.
From time to time repair and consolidations works of a small scale
are carried out.
The church of St. George is today inside the enclosure of the neighbouring
archaeological site of the so - called «Temple of Artemis».
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
PASTRA (Village) KEFALLONIA
PATRA (Town) ACHAIA
Basilica built in 1835 on the site of the Early Christian basilica
of Aghios Andreas. The architect was A. Kaftanzoglou. To the northwest there are
remains of an ancient construction: "well or font" of Aghios Andreas. To the northeast
is the larger church of the apostle Andreas.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
The two churches dedicated to Patras' patron Saint, St Andrew, constitute
a national and Pan-Orthodox place of pilgrimage. The small Church was erected
during the 1836-1843 period at the spot where Apostle Andrew died a martyr. It
is a basilica work of architect Lyssandros Kaftantzoglou. The whole body icons
on the roof depicting scenes from the Bible, Fathers and Patriarchs are works
of the great religious painter Dimitris Hatziaslanis, alias known as Byzantios.
At the front and on the right side of the Church, near the sanctuary, is located
the marble sepulchre of the Apostle. In the mid-4th century, on the initiative
of Emperor Constantine, the Holy Relics was transferred to St Apostles' Church
in Constantinople. When the Franks occupied the city, the Relics were transferred
to Italy. On September 26th 1964, the Saint's Head returned to Patras by Pope
Paul and after the actions that the citizens of Patras and the Orthodox Church
took.
The new magnificent Byzantine church was founded in 1908 by King George
I and inaugurated in 1974 by Patras' Metropolitan Bishop Nikodimos. It is the
largest and most artistic church in the Balkans and one of the largest across
Europe. The supervision of the construction works was initially undertaken by
architect Anastasios Metaxas, and after his death (1937) by architect Georgios
Nomikos. The Church's central dome is 46m high and supports a five meter high
gold-plated cross and twelve smaller ones, symbolising Jesus and his twelve disciples
respectively. The church's capacity is 5.500 persons.
a national and Pan-Orthodox place of pilgrimage. The small Church was erected
during the 1836-1843 period at the spot where Apostle Andrew died a martyr. It
is a basilica work of architect Lyssandros Kaftantzoglou. The whole body icons
on the roof depicting scenes from the Bible, Fathers and Patriarchs are works
of the great religious painter Dimitris Hatziaslanis, alias known as Byzantios.
At the front and on the right side of the Church, near the sanctuary, is located
the marble sepulchre of the Apostle. In the mid-4th century, on the initiative
of Emperor Constantine, the Holy Relics was transferred to St Apostles' Church
in Constantinople. When the Franks occupied the city, the Relics were transferred
to Italy. On September 26th 1964, the Saint's Head returned to Patras by Pope
Paul and after the actions that the citizens of Patras and the Orthodox Church
took.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Municipality of Patra URL below, which contains images.
Tel: +30 2610 275022
Fax: +30 2610 226482
PENTALOFOS (Village) KOZANI
It is a three-aisled basilica.
PENTAPLATANO (Village) GIANNITSA
PENTE EKLISSIES (Village) PARAMYTHIA
PERACHORA (Settlement) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
In the center of Perachora village, the Holy Church of the Assumption
can be found. The architecture style of the church-built in 1982- is a three-aisle
basilica with a tiled roof dome. South west of the church stands the imposing
Campanile surrounded by a beautifully handled with care yard. The inner walls
are nicely covered with Hagiographies and Byzantine Signs, facts that establish
the religiousness of the faithful.
Eight kilometers along the road from Loutraki
to Perachora, by the hill, which was once the acropolis of ancient Peraea,
stands the little single-aisled basilica of St Demetrius, which was built and
had its wall paintings executed in 1750. These paintings - depicting Our Lady
enthroned, the Crucifixion, Christ Pantocrator, the saints in attitudes of prayer,
etc. - are works of great art, and a visit to the church cannot fail to be spiritually
uplifting.
This historic church is in Perachora itself and dates from 1767, when
Greece was still under Turkish
rule. The twelve steps leading to its entrance and the little doors of the church
were constructed in such a way to prevent the conquerors from riding their horses
inside during the service and desecrating the holy place, as was their custom.
In 1832 after the liberation of Greece
- a political faction called the “Constitutionalists” made the church
their headquarters when they were forced to leave Argos
after a dispute with the supporters of Count Capodistrias, first Governor of Greece.
Fifteen kilometers along the road to Vouliagmeni
from Perachora is the pretty chapel of St Blaise, built in 1981. The surrounding
landscape is very attractive, and ancient potsherds are common. There is another
little church of St Blaise in Perachora, at the spot called Aremada.
After an ancient fountain 9 km. along the road from Vouliagmeni
to Asprokampos, is the church
of the Prophet Elijah, standing on a low hill. The foundations consist of ancient
building materials, of which there is no shortage in the area.
On the road to Strava,
after about 6 km., we come to a little roadside shrine. An uphill path from there
leads to a little chapel dedicated to the Seven Maccabees, a quaint structure
three-quartets of which is built into a cave. In its courtyard is a tall oak tree,
which is said to be as old as the church itself. This idyllic spot is believed
once to have been the hermitage of a monk called Maccabaeus.
Four kilometres beyond the Bethlehem Orphanage on the road from Loutraki
to Perachora is the pretty church of Our Lady “Ipapanti”. The church
is built in undressed stone and has a pitched wooden roof covered with tiles.
The little chapel of St George is located in a cave at the spot called
Trepes near Perachora. The cave is also full of stalactites, from which water
drips. It is believed locally that the water has medicinal properties, which are
attributed to the miraculous influence of St George.
PERIVOLIA (Village) THERISSOS
South of Pervolia is the small village of Garipa (Boutsounaria). The
village has the four-aisled Byzantine church of Sotiras Christos, Agios Dimitrios,
Agios Charalambos, and Agia Anna. Apparently all four aisles were constructed
at the same time.
PESSADA (Village) KEFALLONIA
PETRA (Small town) LESVOS
Tel: +30 22530 41223
The church
is built in the centre of Petra (55 km from Mytilene, in the north part of the
island) on a rock of approximately 40m height. 114 steps carved in the rock lead
to its top. It constitutes one of the most important places of pilgrimage on Lesbos.
Travelers from the 15th to the 18th century report the existence of
a small castle on the top of the rock. It is probable that in an earlier phase
there was a small church surrounded by walls, which in the beginning of the 17th
century was replaced with a bigger one which took its present form after the repair
works in 1840. This church is made of stone and follows the architectural type
of a three-aisled basilica.
Its interior is decorated with a remarkable wood carved templon as
well as a wood carved bishop's throne.
It is at Petra built high up on a rock, with 114 steps curved in it that lead to the church. The location gives one the impression that it was selected for protection against pirate raids common in the post-Byzantine period. The church has a valuable icon-screen and wonderful hagiographies. It is a significant pilgrimage of the island.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains image.
There are frescoes of the 17th century.
PETROCHORI (Village) KOURITES
In Petrohori (Aposeti) there is the Byzantine church of Agii Apostoli
with some unusual frescoes and inscriptions of 1580 and 1594. There is an old
fountain at the entrance to the village, opposite the church.
PETROCHORI (Village) PATRA
Byzantine church of the 12th cent.
PETROCHORI (Village) KARDITSA
PETROVOUNI (Settlement) LEFKTRA
PIGI (Settlement) KASTELI
In Pigi the Byzantine church of Agios Pandeleimonas, one of the oldest
on Crete, is in a serene setting near trees and water. It is a three-aisled basilica
and the three aisles are separated by four arches in each aile. The last arch
towards the sanctuary is higher and circular. The arches are supported by columns
without capitals. One column is constructed from column capitals only, one above
the other. Those and many other parts of the church seem to have been taken from
older Byzantine or Roman buildings on the site. The outside walls of the church
are decorated with marbles, crosses, and inscriptions. One side of the church
has blind Byzantine brick arches that extend nearly to the roof of the church.
The frescoes in the church are in two overlapping layers with the first layer
containing some of the oldest paintings in Crete.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
PISSIA (Village) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
The picturesque chapel of St Athanasius is close to the village of
Pisia (1.5 km. from Loutraki)
and is reached along a forestry road to Platanos. It was built in the fifteenth
century and has wall paintings of 1638, the work of the priest-monk Seraphim Koulouris
from Thebes. Among the subjects
are Christ Pantocrator, the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, St Mandelius,
Sts Peter and Paul, and the Day of Judgment.
The chapel of St, George is located in a natural cave near Schinos,
9 km. from Pisia. In Byzantine times, it seems very likely that the cave was used
as a hermitage. Today, traces of a painting of St George on horseback have survived
on the screen, and seem to date from around 1400.
This is the “cathedral church” of Pisia: a three-aisled
cruciform basilica with a dome. It stands on the site of an ilate eighteenth-century
church, which was flattened by the earthquake of 1981.
It was built in the early 19th century.
PITHIO (Small town) DIDYMOTICHO
PLAKOTI (Village) PARAMYTHIA
Tel: +30 26660 71236
Tel: +30 26660 71236
PLATANA (Village) THERAPNES
The church of Ypapanti is a single aisle, twin roof church, with impressive plaster decorations and a wood carved iconostasis. On the fifth floor of the steeple there is a bell with the inscription ¨ANNO DOMINI 1830 GRAFFITI¨.
PLATANI (Village) RIO
Tel: +30 2610 223363
The
church of Aghios Nikolaos lies in the northern foothills of the Panachaikos,
on the right bank of the mountain torrent Xylokera. In a Venetian record of church
property of the end of the 17th century, it is referred to as an old monastery.
The church has undergone a considerable number of repairs.
The monument comprises the main church and a slightly wider narthex.
The wall construction, which is similar and unites the two, shows that church
and narthex are contemporary. The main church consists of a rectangular core measuring
5,50 X 3 m. on the interior, with two spacious apses measuring 3 m. on the chord
projecting from the north and south sides. All three apses are semi-circular on
the interior and three-sided on the exterior. This is usual in the Greek school
to which this monument belongs. Each of the three apses of the main church has
a double window.
Except for the lower sections and the eastern wall of the northern
part of the narthex, the monument is constructed with reticulate tiling, and tile
patterns enliven the appearance of the outer side. Aghios Nikolaos is a characteristic
example of church construction of the Greek school, and it dates to the beginning
of the 12th century. Today it is a parish church of the Community of Platani.
PLATANIA (Village) KOURITES
In Platania there is the Byzantine church of the Panagia which contains
frescoes of good quality and which are in good condition. The church is in the
square in the centre of the village.
PLATSA (Village) LEFKTRA
This church is a three declivity basilica which was founded in the
10th century A.D.
The dome and the frescos are characterised by two technique styles
and were constructed in the mid 14th century while the frescos of the north declivity
of the church date back to the 15th century.
On the central declivity there is an inscription of dedication while
other inscriptions on other parts of the decorations are saved, as well.
On the iconostasis, sculptures of Midbyzantine years are preserved.
There is a church service once a year and nowadays there are restoration
and renovation works of the surrounding structures.
In the area of Platsa there are other Byzantine churches like St.
Paraskevi with 15th century frescoes and St. Demetrios.
This text is cited Jan 2003 from the Messenia Prefecture Tourism Promotion Commission URL below.
The church is a three-aisled basilica built in the 10th century. The
dome was added in the mid-14th century by Constantinos Spanis and at the same
time the interior was decorated with wall paintings representing two different
styles. A votive inscription is preserved in the middle aisle, and other inscriptions
are seen among the decorative elements of the walls. The wall paintings of the
north aisle date to the 15th century. Sculptures of the Middle Byzantine period
are preserved in the iconostasis.
The roof of the church has been retiled, the surrounding buildings
have been restored, and the wall paintings have been supported and cleaned.
Today the church functions only once a year.
Platsa is a traditional settlement of Messenian Mani, with many defensive
towers, harmonically combined with the exceptional natural setting. Several more
significant churches are to be seen in the village: St. Paraskevi, a cross-vaulted
church with wall paintings of the 15th century, the Byzantine church of St. Demetrios
and a few post-Byzantine churches.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
PLEMENIANA (Village) KANDANOS
After Plemeniana, on the road from Kandanos to Paleohora, is the church
of Agios Georgios with large, handsome frescoes from the beginning of the fifteenth
century. The two donors of the church are again shown; the woman is kneeling.
South of Kandanos, there is the church of the Panagia Mirtidiotisa (Our Lady of the Myrtles). The short
narrow path that leads to the church has old myrtle trees along it and the fresco
of the donors depicts them among myrtle.
PLYTRA (Port) ASSOPOS
Church with a wonderful precinct at the county of Plitra, the commercial port of the Municipality of Asopos
POLICHNITOS (Small town) MYTILINI
This church is a three-aisled basilica.
POLYRRINIA (Village) CHANIA
The church of Ninety-Nine Martyrs below the citadel is built on the
site of a fourth century B.C. temple. Beside the church are remains of cyclopean
walls, probably of the Greek period.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
POSSIDONIA (Village) SYROS
Possidonia's orthodox church of Agios Ioannis is most certainly worth a visit.
The catholic church of Agios Petros is well worth a visit to Possidonia.
Possidonia is sometimes called Dellagratsia, after the name of the church of Santa Maria Della Grazia
POTAMI (Settlement) KARLOVASSI
POTAMIES (Village) CHERSONISSOS
The chapel of Afentis Christos is a small, single-roomed church and
contains some frescoes.
PRAMANTA (Small town) IOANNINA
Tel: +30 26590 61231
PRASSIES (Village) RETHYMNO
The Byzantine church of the Panagia is in the village and contains
the remains of frescoes from the fourteenth century.
With a noteable bell-tower.
PROFILIA (Village) NOTIA RODOS
PSARA (Port) NORTH AEGEAN
The church of Aghios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas) is located atop a small hill and affords a breathtaking view of the port and the village of Psara. Construction began in 1785 and was completed in 1793.
During the Massacre of Chios, the church was bombarded, however, it was later reconstructed in 1863. It was from this point that Constantine Kanaris began his attack on the Turkish flagship.
PYLI (Small town) TRIKALA
Tel: +30 24340 22420, 23180
The
Holy church of Porta Panagia, was the church of the Monastery of "Great Entrances"
(Megalon Pylon). It lies on the bank of the river "Portaikos" in the north of
"Pylis" Municipality in the community "Porta".
In the Porta-Panagia both centre bay and cross arms are pulled together
by one single transverse barrel vault, high up. The church was built by sebastokrator
John - Angel Duke Komnenos in 1283. The exonarthex belongs to the type of domed
octagon, the iconostasis is decorated with mosaic icons of Christ and Virgin placed
in an inverse position (1283 - 1289). The remained frescoes both in the nave and
the narthex date to 18th century.
Restoration works have been done in the church. While works of fixing
and restoration were taking place in the monastery, excavations on the floor of
the church brought to surface the first floor and plenty architectural parts of
the ancient temple in second use.
Nowadays it is used both as a church and archaeological site to be
visited.
Opposite to Pyli, in the settlement of Porta-Panagia it is the famous
homonymous Byzantine temple, which in the old days constituted the catholic of
the abbey which was under the Patriarch's jurisdiction and carried the name of
the Impregnable Virgin Mary. This was destroyed during the Ottoman domination.
The temple was built in 1283 by Ioannis Aggelos Komninos Doukas, illegitimate
son of the despot of Ipirus Micheal Douka the 2nd.
It is consisted of the main temple and the ulterior (at others previous)
forth-narthex.
The Abbey of the Big Portal that also included the temple of Porta
Panagia, in the Byzantine years was a rich abbey under the Patriarch's jurisdiction
(that is to say depended directly on the Patriarch) with a lot of properties,
which, when the abbey was destroyed in the years of the Ottoman domination, were
given to the residents of the neighbouring Pyli, while the temple with a letter
in 1843, devolved to the property of the
Abbey of Dousikos. The temple of Porta Panagia, is a cross-roofed three-aisle
royal that has been built on an ancient temple. This is testified by the pillars
that are found in the area round the temple, as well as by the existence of many
architectural members either fixture or collected occasionally, that today are
kept in the temple. This temple follows the same architectural type with the temple
of Κato Panagia,
in Arta.
Westwards of the temple, there is a wide forth-narthex that follows
the type of the registered cruciform with dome and is dated in the dues of the
14th century. The temple beyond the bizarre architecture has also to present rich
sculpture, mosaic and written decor that unfortunately were destroyed by the fire
of 1855. From the sculptural decor fragmentarily capitals were saved, which turned
the pillars and part of the marble temple to the Prothesis and the central aisle.
From the mosaic decor were saved - the unique in the Hellenic area so much for
the technique and the style as for their bizarre inverted position - mosaic pictures
of Christ and Virgin Mary.
The professor Anastasios Orlandos places their manufacture in 1285,
hε connects them with the mosaics of the dome of the
abbey of Parigoritjssa in Arta and in particular, he attributes them in the
same craftsman. From the iconographic decor, remarkable is the mural that covers
the semicircular niche, in the SW corner of the main temple, where the proprietor
of the abbey Ioannis Doukas is portrayed that an angel leads him to the protector
of the abbey, Virgin Mary. It is one of the most infrequent portraits of the Komnenians.
The last excavational research brought into light the grave of Ioannis
Doukas - unfortunately despoilt. The same excavational research, which was made
in the context of the LEADER program for the restoration of the abbey, brought
also in the light parts of the initial marble temple, parts of the ancient inscribed
columns, all of which constituting the second flooring of the abbey, of course
in second use. Also the base of the initial stone pulpit came into light and the
marble pillar that supported the High Altar, while segmentally the initial marble
flooring of temple was revealed.
Finally, interesting are also the murals that are saved in the Chancel
which are placed in the 13th century. The mural in the arch of the central declinable,
those next to the window of the southern and the western side of the temple, are
mainly dated in the 18th century just like those of the splint - to which unfortunately
the fire of 1980, incurred irreparable damage.
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Municipality of Pyli URL below, which contains images.
PYRGI (Small town) CHIOS
The church belongs to the insular octagonal domed type and is a small
reproduction of the catholicon (main church) of Nea Moni. It is a very well preserved
Byzantine monument, richly decorated outside with brick patterns (denticulated
bands, phialostomia, brick arches). The interior is covered with wall paintings
made by Antonios Domestichos, Kenygos, from Crete, in 1665.
An inscription over the main entrance of the church informs us that
monk Symeon, who later became the metropolitan bishop of Chios, erected the church
"from its foundations" in 1564. This probably refers to a renovation
of the monument, since its architectural and morphological features point to the
conclusion that it was erected in the middle of the 14th century.
Restoration of the wall paintings of the church began in 1985 and
is still in progress. The monument is open to the public and it is used for religious
purposes only once a year, on June 29, St. Peter and St. Paul's day.
This text is cited Sept 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below, which also contains image.
PYRGI THERMIS (Village) MYTILINI
Tel: +30 22510 71165
The church
of the Virgin (Panagia) Troulloti is built in the area of the Ano Pyrgoi at
Thermi, in the eastern part of Lesbos, only 10 kms from the city of Mytilene.
The church belongs to the type known as domed cross-in-square and dates in the
14th century. It constitutes one of the few Byzantine churches preserved on Lesbos.
Architectural members from more ancient buildings are incorporated
in the masonry of the monument, two of which are marble relieves of particular
interest in the south wall of the narthex. These two relieves are ornamented with
both human figures as well as animal ones (such as that of a bear or a deer) and
they were probably taken from the nearby sanctuary of Artemis Thermia. The interior
of the church is decorated with wall paintings that date after its foundation
and are only partially preserved.
Its wood carved templon dates in the mid-18th century and constitutes
one of the most exquisite samples of post-Byzantine wood carving on Lesbos.
The church is at Ano Pyrgoi Thermis, at the eastern part of the island. It is a cruciform Byzantine basilica with a dome, probably built in the 14th century and one of the oldest Christian monuments on the island that has remained virtually untouched since the Byzantine times. Ancient materials have been used in the construction - among others two marble bas-reliefs at the southern wall of the narthex (porch) with animal figures (deer and bear) possibly belonging to the nearby ancient temple of the Goddess Artemis Thermias. The interior has a fretwork icon-screen (18th century), one of the best samples of post-Byzantine ecclesiastical fretwork in Lesvos. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is called Troulloti because the dome (troullos) carries the hagiography not of Jesus Christ but of the Virgin Mary
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains image.
PYRGOS (Village) ASTEROUSSIOI
In the middle of the town on the south side of the street and clearly
marked, is the fourteenth century church of Agii Georgios and Konstantinos. There
are some well-preserved frescoes as well as some old inscriptions dating from
1314. The frescoes on the south aisle are unique in the Byzantine world since
they present a series of events in the life of Byzantine Emperor Konstantinos
the Great. Events from his birth, childhood, the crowning of his son and the battle
on the Milvian bridge are shown.
This extract is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
PYRGOU (Village) MALEVIZIO
Within the village of Pirgou is the Byzantine church of the Panagia.
It has a symmetric cruciform architecture with a dome. The church is in between
old village buildings.
The newer large church of Agios Georgios has lion decorations on its
top.
Outside the village of Pirgou, on the road to Asites, there is a sign to the church of Zoodohos Pigi. The church of Zoodohos Pigi was part of the monastery of Gorgoliani. It is in a very beautiful location with a view of the valley below and the mountains on the other side. Trees and vineyards, complete the scene. Recently large springs have been found nearby. Two aisles of the church remain, but it must have been a three-aisled basilica. There are stone reliefs outside the church. An old mill and an old wine press have been found in the church yard. The church has been renovated and the surrounding yard is very pleasant.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
PYRSOGIANNI (Village) KONITSA
RATZAKLI (Settlement) KEFALLONIA
REPANIDI (Village) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
The church of St George (Agios Georgios) at Repanidi was built in the middle of the 19th century following the type of a three-aisled wooden roof basilica with influences from Neoclassicism. This specific type of church constitutes the most characteristic one in religious architecture of post-Byzantine years on Lemnos. Particularly remarkable is the wood carved templon of the church as well as the rich decoration of its walls with the afresco technique.
This text is cited May 2003 from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture URL below.
RETHYMNON (Town) CRETE
The modern (1890) building of the Catholic church is at Odos Mesolongiou
and Salaminas (Mass: 10:00 Sundays). This church was built to service the small
Catholic population of Rethimnon and now the summer visitors. The building itself
has an interesting facade with a large window above the door.
RIVIO (Village) ETOLOAKARNANIA
RODIA (Small town) GAZI
On the main road, in the centre of the village, there is an interesting
Venetian villa and the church of the Panagia. The church has lovely portals, as
does the villa next to it.
Is a church of Byzantine B' period, which gave its name to the settlement of Rodia.
RODOVANI (Village) ANATOLIKO SELINO
The Byzantine church of the Panagia, in the location of Kalomiri,
contains frescoes of the donors, which are believed to be Georgios and Moshana
Kantanoleon. Georgios Kantanoleon was the leader of a successful revolution against
the Venetians in the sixteenth century. He had established a government and was
collecting taxes in the area. Other Byzantine churches in the area with (destroyed)
frescoes are Agia Paraskevi, Agios Georgios and Agios Ioannis.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ROMANO (Village) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
The church was built in 1830.
ROUKANI (Village) TEMENOS
The church of Agios Ioannis dates from the eleventh century. It has
cruciform architecture with a dome in the centre. The parts of the church outside
the cross are lower than the main church and there are external brick decorations
on blind arches and windows. At the back there is a window divided into two by
a column which has a column capital.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ROUSSOPOULI (Village) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
The church was built in 1801.
ROUSTIKA (Village) NIKIFOROS FOKAS
The church of the Panagia (Kimisis tis Theotokou) is very interesting.
It is a two-aisled church in which it is obvious that the two aisles were constructed
at different time periods. It has an unusual bell-tower which is dated 1627. The
church also has a wooden altar screen and two layers of vividly coloured frescoes,
the later one dating from 1381.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
This two-aisled church dedicated to the Holy Virgin and Christ the Saviour is situated at the place of Livadi in the village of Roustica, 21 km from Rethymno. The walls in the interior of the church are covered with frescoes dating back to 1381. The belfry shows the inscription of the year 1627.
This is a Byzantine church of the 11th-13th century in a cave located on the Profitis Elias hill.
SAMOTHRAKI (Small town) EVROS
SARAKINA (Village) PELEKANOS
In the centre of the village of Sarakina, there is the church of Agios
Ioannis containing frescoes from the fourteenth century.
SARCHOS (Village) KROUSSONAS
The Byzantine church of the Panagia Kera has one of the most decorative
church doors on Crete and an artistic back window. The church has two aisles and
it was covered with frescoes, but few are visible today.
SARDES (Village) LEMNOS (LIMNOS)
SCHINOS (Settlement) LOUTRAKI-PERACHORA
As we head down towards the sea at Schinos, we
come to the church of the Transfiguration, which over the course of the centuries
has undergone frequent alterations and additions. In earlier times, it was a groin-vaulted
building, but today it is a single-aisled structure with a vaulted roof. The ornamentation
of the window in the semicircular sanctuary apse takes the form of a dog-toothed
band of ceramics, which means that the earliest building phase can be dated back
to the twelfth or thirteenth century. To the east are the foundations of a semicircular
apse, which presumably belonged to an earlier and much larger church.
Two kilometers to the east of Schinos on the road to Alepochori
is the single-aisled church of St Blaise. The original structure dates from 1969,
and much care was put into its later reconstruction.
SELI (Village) RETHYMNO
The village of Seli contains the Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis
Theologos. The church has frescoes in it in good condition and is inscribed with
the date 1411.
SERRES (Town) MAKEDONIA CENTRAL
Three-aisled wooden-roofed
basilica with a narthex. Its architectural type presents many archaic features.
The holy bema was decorated with mosaics of which is preserved only a representation
of Apostle Andrew (now in the Archaeological Museum of Serres).
The church is dated to the 11th century and was probably built at
the site of an Early Christian basilica. Additions were made in the 12th and 13th
centuries.
It was renovated several times: in 1430 by metropolitan Philip, in
1602 by metropolitan Theophanes, in 1700 by metropolitan Anthimos, in 1725 by
metropolitan Stephen, in 1735 by metropolitan Gabriel, in 1751 by metropolitan
Ioannikios, in 1835 and 1842. It was destroyed by fire twice, in 1849 and in 1913.
Today the church functions again.
In the center of the old town and below street level, there is the
brilliant old cathedral of St. Theodore's, a big rectangular Royal (Bassilica).
It was first founded during the palaiochristian era. According to another tradition,
it was built on the remains of an ancient church. The cathedral was built in 1224
AD by the Sovereign Ruler of Epirus, Theodore Angel Komninos in memory of the
glorious victory against the Franks, just outside the city.
The first reference to the Old Cathedral was made in a golden bull
of Adronikos the Senior in 1321 AD. It is described in detail by the orator Theodore
Pediasimos, a native of Serres, in his brilliant essay "expressions about the
sanctum of Feres (i.e. Serres)" (14th century). At the northwest side there is
a burial chapel, probably built in 1364 for Patriarch Kallistos. A plinth sign
on the southern side of the church wall states the following: "ΕΝ ΕΤΕΙ ΕΨΚΕ +
Ο ΤΑΠΕΙΝΟΣ ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ ΣΕΡΡΩΝ ΣΤΕΦΑΝΟΣ Ο ΚΤΙΤΩΡ", testifying that the wall was
demolished and rebuilt in 1725.
St. Theodores' church is well-known for its mosaics, from which after
the fire of 1913 the only one that was rescued was the one that shows Apostle
Andreas and the hands of Apostle Loukas. In the apse is a huge mosaic of the Last
Supper, still splendid in its decay. This historical church has been repaired
and renovated during the years, which has resulted in a slight transformation
of its original shape. During the great fire of 1913 the church got almost completely
burned. It was restored recently under the watchful eye of the Archaeological
Authorities and church services are now held there.
This text is cited Jan 2004 from the University of Patras' The ARCADIA website URL below, which contains images.
At the N.E. end of the castle there is the exquisite Byzantine church of St Nikolaos, which was restored and renewed in 1937. Until 1926 many mural remnants and jewel remnants were kept in the inside of the church with the usual technique and topics of the Palaeologi period. In the east side of the church, under the bilobed window of the apse there is the entrance to a crypt, in which you can get to via a small staircase. This crypt served the purpose of a cemetery, in other words it was a place were the guards of the castle were buried after they were murdered or had died in it from a disease or any other cause. The cemetery character of the crypt of St. Nikolaos is reinforced by the few graves' remnants and people's bones that were found in it.
This text is cited Jan 2004 from the University of Patras' The ARCADIA website URL below, which contains image.
SFAKIA (Village) CHANIA
The Byzantine church of Agii Apostoli has cruciform architecture with
a large dome in the centre of the cross and apses, reminiscent of the early Byzantine
prototypes. The church was constructed during the Venetian period.
This text is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
The church of the Panagia Psaromiligon has a marble relief decoration.
The church of Agii Pandes has unusually small wall paintings. At one
time, every family in Sfakia had its own church.
This church was built in 1700 at the NW edge of Siatista town.
This is a basilica and was built in 1702.
It is a three-aisled basilica built in 1709.
It is a three-aisled basilica built in 1744.
It is a three-aisled basilica built in 1760 on the foot of the Mt. Velia (Griva Balabani).
It is a three-aisled basilica (late 18th century).
It is a three-aisled basilica built in 1798 by the monk Ionas.
It was built in 1963.
It was probably built in 1610.
SIDIROKASTRO (Municipality) SERRES
SILIVENIOTIKA (Village) EGIALIA
SIVA (Village) HERAKLIO
The church of Agia Paraskevi is on the west side of the road at the
north end of the village. It is easy to miss as it is below the road. The small
church is built on the slope of the hill, it has a dome on a drum and remains
of frescoes are still visible.
SKALA (Village) KEFALLONIA
SKIATHOS (Island) NORTH SPORADES
The Church of "Christos sto Kastro" was the cathedral of the medieval city. It is a basilica with a wood cut roof, built in the 17th century. It has worthwhile frescoes and a nice wood cut icon screen dated in 1695. This is the church which has been praised the most by Alexandros Papadiamantis and Alexandros Moraitidis in their Christmas novels.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Skiathos URL below, which contains images.
SKIATHOS (Small town) NORTH SPORADES
"I Panagia i Limnia" with the nice bell-tower rising in the whole village is the second parish church of the island. The icons from "Christos sto Kastro - Christ in the Castle" as well as Papadiamantis's head are kept here. The parish of Panagia continues to preserve the nice traditions and customs of the island, so vividly represented in the writhen work of Alexandros Papadiamantis and Alexandros Moraitidis.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Skiathos URL below, which contains image.
The church of "Trion Ierarchon" (The Tree Church Fathers) which has been the cathedral of the island for 150 years leads the intellectual cultivation of the island, since it was blessed to have in its bosoms competent and excellent priests and intellectual leaders such as priest Adamantios, father of Papadiamantis, priest Nikolas Papanikolaou, priest Andreas Bouras and other led always by priest Georgios Rigas, the great scholar and author of the island. The Church of "Trion Ierarchon" is a basilica of three aisles, built in 1846. It is built in the centre of the village near the beach. In this church there is the icon of Panagias tis Eikonistrias, which was found in a miraculous way around 1650. This is the patron saint of the island and it is a sacred pilgrimage for both the inhabitants and the visitors of the island. Many sacred heirlooms from all the country churches of the island have been transferred into this church as well as many icons of great archaeological value. all these sacred heirlooms are in perfect functional condition. Here services are held according to the old ritual and the tradition of "Kollyvathes" still remains alive.
This text is cited Sep 2002 from the Municipality of Skiathos URL below, which contains images.
SKLAVEROCHORI (Settlement) KASTELI
The village of Sklaverohori contains a Byzantine church, the Presentation
of the Virgin (Esodia Theotokou) with well-preserved frescoes of the fifteenth-sixteenth
century that are of high artistic quality.
SKLAVOPOULA (Village) PELEKANOS
In the upper part of the village of Sklavopoula, beside a school playground,
there is the church of Agios Georgios with frescoes in two different styles and
an inscription of 1290 above the window.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
In the lower part of the village of Sklavopoula is the Byzantine church of the Panagia. The church has many frescoes from the fourteenth century which are considered to be an important link in the development of the Cretan School. The donor of the church is shown with a model of the church.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
In the lower part of the village of Sklavopoula is the church of Sotiras Christos. It is unlocked and has frescoes of the fourteenth century, including one of the donor of the church against a background of trees and of the church.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
SKOPELOS (Small town) NORTH SPORADES
SKOTINO (Village) GOUVES
Outside the cave is the Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi dating
from the Venetian period.
SKOULOUFIA (Village) ARKADI
The church of Agios Ioannis is in the centre of the village and has
an unusually- shaped window.
SOUGIA (Village) CHANIA
Above Sougia is the Byzantine church of Agia Irini. The church is
not visible from the town but can be reached after 4km along the dirt track (rough
on a car) going west at the entrance to Sougia. The hiker's reward is a spectacular
view of the bay from a hill high above Sougia. Agia Irini is a small but beautiful
church of cruciform architecture with a high dome at the centre.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
In Sougia there are the mosaic remains of a basilica of the first Byzantine period (6C). The remains are of excellent quality, the best of this era on Crete and represent exotic birds (peacocks--signs of immortality), flowers, as well as animals, and other patterns. The recently restored mosaics are in the modern church which has been built on top of them.
This text is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
SOULARI (Village) KEFALLONIA
Listed Byzantine Monument.
SPATHI (Settlement) KEFALLONIA
SPILI (Small town) LAMBI
The Byzantine church of Agios Georgios, a small but picturesque church,
is in the school yard as you enter the village.
The Byzantine church of the Panagia is a large church which contains
parts of an older church, including some frescoes on the north wall of the church.
SPILIA (Village) KOLYMBARI
The church of the Panagia is a picturesque twelfth century Byzantine
church with wall paintings. The church is open to visitors.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
STAVROUPOLIS (Small town) XANTHI
STEMNITSA (Village) TRIKOLONES
STENI DIRFYS (Village) CHALKIDA
It dates to the post-Byzantine period.
STYLOS (Village) ARMENI
The church of the Panagia Serviotisa is one of the best examples of
Byzantine architecture in Crete. It was built early in the second Byzantine period
(12C) and shows influences of previously developed new styles of church architecture
which originated from Agia Sofia, in Constantinopole. The church has cruciform
architecture based on an equidimensional cross and a dome whose supporting drum
is on the intersection of the two aisles. Extension rooms of a lower height have
been built so that the overall shape of the church is rectangular. Several external
blind arches have been built as supports that reach almost to the roof. The church
has many beautiful Byzantine architectural decorations. The blind arches are underlined
by fine stone construction. The roof has a tooth-like decoration, and the windows
in the dome and around the church are constructed of brick. Behind the sanctuary
of the church there is a window decorated with a column which leaves two openings.
Another decorated column has been placed high up on one of the sides of the church.
The church is pleasantly situated in the middle of a valley of orange groves.
This extract is cited Nov 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
As you enter the village of Stylos, on the right is the Byzantine
church of Agios Ioannis 1271-80, with Byzantine frescoes. It has a single room
and a small dome above it.
SYKAMINIA (Port) MITHIMNA
(Virgin Mary the Mermaid) : It is at the northwest of Mytilene (48 km), at the picturesque port of Skala Sykameneas, built on a small rock in the sea. It is called Virgin Mary the Mermaid from an icon that shows Virgin Mary with a mermaid’s tail (painted by an unknown folk artist).
This text is cited May 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains images.
SYROS (Town) KYKLADES
This is the church which welcomes those visitors who arrive by sea:
its bells ring whenever a ship enters the port. When you hear the bells,
you know that you have arrived. In contrast with the monotony of the sea voyage,
the sudden view on the town, with its mountainous backdrop, appears like a vision
out of a dream. The first impression of the island makes a strong impact. The
church was erected on this very site due to the fact that the icon of Agios Dimitrios
was found somewhere among these rocks.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the University of Patras' XENIOS DIAS website URL below.
Agios Nikolaos is situated at the edge of the Vaporia quarter and
is the pride of Hermoupolis.
Founded in 1848, it is a most impressive church with broad steps leading
up to it, a blue dome and magnificent bell towers. Inside, it boasts the beautiful
marble iconostasis - work of the sculptor G.Vitali. The marble pulpit and throne
are also veritable pieces of art. The church is lavishly decorated.
The monument to the «Unknown Soldier» is situated in front of the
church. This was the first monument dedicated to unknown soldiers of the war of
independance of 1889, and also the work of the architect O. Vitali.
Το κείμενο παρατίθεται τον Απρίλιο 2003 από την ακόλουθη ιστοσελίδα, με φωτογραφία, του ΞΕΝΙΟΣ ΔΙΑΣ website, του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών
The Church of the Anastasis (resurrection) is situated on the summit of the hill of Dili. It is one of the most characteristic features of the island, dominating the town of Hermoupolis with, as its counterpart, the Catholic church of Agios Georgios on the opposite hill of Ano Syros. It was founded in 1873, and designed by the architect D. Elavteriadis. It was inaugurated in 1909. The church is cruciform and topped by a dome. Inside the church are three aisles divided by arches. The iconostasis, pulpit and throne are made of wood. Only the sanctuary and the dome are decorated with pale coloured frescoes with a preponderance of blue. From the church, one has a splendid panoramic view. At its feet, the town of Hermoupolis unfolds itself, sloping down to the port, while on the opposite hill lies the Mediterranean village of Ano Syros. Every Easter, this is the site for a great religious celebration, ending with spectacular fireworks.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the University of Patras' XENIOS DIAS website URL below.
This catholic church was built at the begining of the19th century. It occupies the site of the Grigorios Stefanos church. It was rebuilt in 1829, at the order of the Austrian consul, to the design of the Tiniot architect H. Simos. Grigorios Stefanos is buried in the central part of the church. It is not he most important Catholic church of the island. This honour goes to the church of Agios Georgios in Ano Syros. Marble columns divide the church's three aisles. The interior is pleasing in its simplicity.
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the University of Patras' XENIOS DIAS website URL below.
The church is known as the "church of Psarianon", deriving its name from that of the "Psariana" quarter, where it is situated. Building started in 1828, thanks to donations of its founder Theodoros Plataniti, who decided to dedicate it to the citizens and financed its entire construction, which was completed in 1832. The opening ceremony took place on August 20th, 1850. This church houses one of the masterpieces of religious art: an icon by the hand of Domenikos Theotokoupoulos, also known as "El Greco", and illustrating the "Kimisi tis Theotokou" (dormition of the Mother of God). It is generally assumed that this icon was brought here from Venice.
Το κείμενο παρατίθεται τον Απρίλιο 2003 από την ακόλουθη ιστοσελίδα του ΞΕΝΙΟΣ ΔΙΑΣ website, του Πανεπιστημίου Πατρών
TAXIARCHES (Village) MYTILINI
It is 6 km south of Mytilene, at the village of Kayiani or Taxiarches. It was built in 1903 in a Byzantine cruciform style but with a Gothic dome. The church is full of impressive icons, hagiographies and ecclesiastical objects. It is a significant pilgrimage of the island.
This text is cited May 2003 from the Prefecture of Lesvos URL below, which contains image.
THEODORIANA (Village) ARTA
THERISSO (Village) CHANIA
In the village there is the pleasant Byzantine church of Agios Georgios
and Agios Charalambos.
THESPROTIKO (Small town) PREVEZA
Birth of the Virgin Mary
THESSALONIKI (Town) MAKEDONIA CENTRAL
Tel: +30 2310 273790
The
church has the features of a monastic building. The naos is triconch in plan,
covered with a dome. To the right and left of the east apse, two more semicircular
structures are attached. To the west of the naos there is the spacious narthex,
surrounded by an exterior peristyle along the three sides. At the east ends of
the north and south peristyle there are two chapels, each roofed with a dome.
Of the church's interior wall paintings very few fragments survive today, especially
in the narthex.
The church was the catholicon (main church) of a monastery, dated
to the 14th century A.D. The monastery was once thought to be the Nea Moni but
later it was identified as the Monastery of Akapnios, dedicated to Christ. The
church was converted into a mosque after 1430 and restored to Christian worship
after the liberation of the city in 1912. During the turkish occupation, practically
all the frescoes of the church were stripped away.
Excavations in the monument's precinct were carried out in the years
1987-1991.
During the Turkish occupation, the monument was reinforced with colossal
buttresses, due to serious stability problems. Its present form is the result
of a series of restorations and interventions which were completed in 1961.
The monument today is used as a church.
A small chapel in the form of a timber-roofed, triple-aisled basilica
dedicated to Saint Euthymios was erected in the 11th century near the south-eastern
corner of the basilica of Ayios Demetrios.
The interior was decorated with wall-paintings in 1303 at the expense
of the nobleman Michael Glavas Tarchaniotis and his wife Maria. Michael Tarchaniotis
was 'protostrator' (general commander) of the Byzantine army in the reign of Andronikos
II Palaeologos, and founder of the important Pammakaristos Monastery in Constantinople,
which accommodated the Patriarchate for a time in the 16th century.
It is clear that Michael was a man of some consequence, as was the
eminent painter who undertook the decoration of Ayios Euthymios. The artist produced
one of the most significant works executed during the Palaeologan renaissance;
in many respects it resembles the paintings in the Protaton church on Mount
Athos.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains image.
THIRAMONAS (Settlement) KEFALLONIA
THRONOS (Village) SYVRITO
Sivritos was important during Byzantine times as well. The important
Byzantine church of the Panagia dates from the fourteenth century and contains
frescoes and mosaics. The frescoes were done in two different eras. The older
era is in the front of the church behind the altar screen. There is also a graffito
dated 1491 on the south wall. The floor of an older basilica, probably fourth
century, extends outside the newer structure. The older church was probably the
early bishopric of Sivritos. The decorations of the outside on the church show
a Venetian influence.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
The village of Thronos in the district of Amari houses the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, which dates back to the 14th century and was built on an early Christian basilica of the 6th century. Part of the mosaic floor of the latter has been uncovered. The walls of the church are ornamented with frescoes dating back to two periods.
The Byzantine church of Agios Onoufrios contains frescoes by Michael
Venieris dated 1318 by inscription, is located near the main road below the village
of Thronos.
Tel: +30 22830 22256
The church of Megalocharis is known throughout the world as an orthodox
shrine. It was built on the site where the icon of the Panagia was discovered
in January 1823 . The icon dates from the first Christian era. The church was
designed by the architect Evstratios of Smyrni
and its construction was financed by the donations of the common people. It is
among the first valuable architectural monuments of the independent Greek nation,
built as it was during the period of the Greek revolution, in order to house the
miracle-working icon. It certainly counts as an architectural masterpiece. It
was built on the site of the Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis. Material for its
construction was taken from the ancient temple of Dionysios that once occupied
this site.
TITHOREA (Small town) FTHIOTIDA
designed at the beginning of 17th century
Designed in 17th century
TOPOLIA (Village) MYTHIMNA
The church of Agia Paraskevi has two aisles. It contains frescoes
and is located above the main road of the village. There is a good view of the
village from the churchyard.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
TRANOVALTO (Village) KOZANI
TRIFYLLI (Village) GIANNITSA
As it turns up by the historical facts, during the Turkish occupation,
the few residents of Trifili perfomed their relegious sacrements in the church
of the neighbouring village Agios
Georgios. After the freedom of Macedonia in 1913, the residents of the village
formed an abandoned Turkish building into a church, dedicated to Saint George.
In 1960 a new church was built in the town square, from where the village's main
road passes.
This church is built in the Byzantine style, the rarest style nowadays,
and it's dedicated to Saint George and to the "Ypapanti of the Lord"
; i.e. the day priest Simon welcomed and met Christ 40 days after His birth. Its
imposing appearance is owed to its construction completely by stone, porous stone,
thanks to which it remained unchanged through the years passing. Inside it is
surrounded by a lot of wall paintings, which were painted after the residents'
donations. In a place set apart for women, some small and old icons are maintained.
Its celebration day is the 2nd of February, 40 days after Christmas.
This text is cited May 2005 from the Municipality of Megas Alexandros URL below, which contains images
TSACHIANA (Settlement) KOULOUKONA
Seen from the monastery (300 metres south towards Veni) is the small
church of Agia Marina in which the coat of arms of the Kalergis (an important
Cretan family during the Venetian era) can be seen on the portal. There is also
a relief decoration of a melon above the entrance door. Inside, the church has
arches and frescoes, some of which have been drawn on top of reliefs on the wall.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
TSIKALARIA (Village) SOUDA
The Byzantine church of the Panagia in Tsikalaria has cruciform architecture
but with the nave being much larger than the transept and nearer to the back of
the church. The church has a bell with inscription dated 1627 and pictures of
Agios Antonios, Christ, the Panagia, and Agios Nikolaos.
TZANATA (Settlement) KEFALLONIA
TZITZIFES (Village) FRES
The church of Agios Georgios, on the road to Tzitzifes, has wall paintings.
VALERIANOS (Village) KEFALLONIA
VALTOCHORI (Village) THESSALONIKI
VASTAS (Village) MEGALOPOLI
VATHI (Village) INACHORI
The Byzantine church of Agios Georgios, with very good quality and
well-preserved frescoes dating from 1284, is above the main road in the village.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
The Byzantine church of Michael Archangelos has frescoes from the fourteenth century and is in a field below the village.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
VATHIAKO (Settlement) KOURITES
The Byzantine church of Agios Georgios is in the village of Vathiako.
The early twelfth century frescoes in the church are in good condition.
VATHITOPOS (Village) DRAMA
VATHYPETRO (Settlement) HERAKLIO
The road continues to the top of Mount Youktas and the Byzantine church
of Metamorphosis, Agios Georgios, Agii Pandes, and Agia Zoni. There is a spectacular
view of the valley from this point, including the double peaks of Kanli Kastelli
and the mountains of western Crete, as well as the Asterousia Mountains in the
south.
This text is cited Feb 2003 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains image.
VATI (Village) NOTIA RODOS
VELENTZIKO (Village) ARTA
The Old Metropolis of Veroia was erected between 1070 and 1080 by
Nikitas, the then bishop of the city. It is one of the largest churches built
in the Balkans during the Middle Byzantine period; a triple-aisled, timber-roofed
basilica, it follows the design of Ayios Demetrios' church in Thessalonike.
Some wall--paintings that decorate its interior and rank among the
most important examples of Byzantine painting belong to the period 1215/16-1224/25,
when the city of Beroia was under the rule of Theodoros Angelos, despot of Epirus
and later emperor of Thessalonike.
A few late 13th century and early 14th century wall--paintings, dating
perhaps to a little before 1320, also survive and give an indication of the most
refined traits of the Palaeologan renaissance.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains image.
One-aisled church dating to the early 14th century. It was decorated by the famous painter from Thessaloniki Georgios Kalliergis.
The single-aisled church of Christ was once the katholikon of a 14th
century stavropegiac monastery (so called as the patriarchal cross is thrust into
the ground of each such monastery to signify the latter is subject immediately
to the Patriarchate of Constantinople).
Documents issued by the patriarch Niphon and the emperor Andronikos
II in 1314 transferred ownership of the church to the monk Ignatios Kalothetos,
a personal friend of Grigorios Palamas, at the time leading an ascetic life in
the monastery of Timios Prodromos in the vicinity of Beroia.
Ignatios invited the Thessalonikan Georgios Kalliergis -- the "outstanding
painter in all Thessaly"
(as the artist grandiosely signs himself in the donor's inscription within the
church) -- to decorate the monastery.
Kalliergis' work, which still excites admiration today, is one of
the rarest achievements of the Palaeologan renaissance in the realm of painting.
His wall-paintings are characterised by the use of many colours and show the artist's
profound theological knowledge which was influenced by the work of his contemporary
Thessalonikan scholars.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains image.
This church dates to the early 14th century.
There are murals dating back to the 14th century.
It consists of a single-spaced kernel surrounded by a gallery. We
do not know when it was founded. The dome collapsed during the 16th century, the
form of the building changed and a painted decoration was added on 1582 a.D..
Repairs were also performed on 1644 a.D. and it is estimated that the wall paintings
on the interior of the outside part of the southern and western walls date back
to that time.
This text (extract) is cited November 2003 from the Imathia
Prefecture Tourism Department tourist pamphlet.
Famous for its tile decoration, the church of Ayios Kirykos and Ioulitta
was built in the mid-14th century by bishop Makarios as a convent for men at Beroia.
The stavropegiac and patriarchal character of the monastery was called
into question in 1395 by the local metropolitan. We do not know the outcome of
the subsequent conflict between the Patriarchate and the metropolis, but it is
clear that by some date in the 16th century the monastery had lost its stavropegiac
and patriarchal identity.
The church has undergone various repairs in the course of its long
history, but retains a section of the original mid-14th century wall decoration
and some late 15th century murals, together with others of 1589. The latter are
the work of a local painter of no particular merit, who also decorated other churches
in Beroia and its vicinity up to the year 1607.
By kind permission of:Ekdotike Athenon
This text is cited Nov 2003 from the Macedonian Heritage URL below, which contains image.
There are murals dating back to the 14th century.
This is a basilica with murals dating back to the 15th century.
This is a two-aisled church with murals dating back to the 15th and 16th/17th century.
Three-aisled basilica
A two-aisled church with narthex.
Three-aisled basilica dating back to the second half of the 16th century.
This is a three-aisled basilica dating back to the 16th century.
This is an one-aisled church with murals dating back to 1571.
This is a three-aisled basilica with murals dating back to 1616.
This is a small one-ailsled church with murals dating back to the 17th century.
Two-aisled church.
One-aisled church of the 18th century.
This one-aisled church dates back to the 14th century.
VITSA (Village) KENTRIKO ZAGORI
VLACHATA (Village) KEFALLONIA
The wooden-carved iconostasis of St. Marina church was brought from Constantinople in 1812.
VLITHIA (Settlement) PELEKANOS
VORI (Village) HERAKLIO
On the road from Vori to Timbaki (1km) is the Byzantine church of
Agios Georgios, which contains frescoes and an inscription of 1380.
VORIZIA (Village) ZAROS
The Byzantine church of Timios Stavros has pleasant external decorations
and an interesting window. Few of the frescoes remain.
The two aisles of the church were constructed and painted at different times: the northern aisle is the oldest with dates inscribed in the wall of 1332 and 1404, the southern one is next with an inscription dated 1400-1428. The church is a very rare example of a church with two narthex at the entrance of the church, both at right angles to the two aisles of the church. The church contains interesting exterior decorations of bricks. The doors and round windows are exceptionally well-carved. It is one of the best examples of Gothic influence in the exterior decoration of Byzantine churches in Crete; also the church contains some very well-preserved frescoes.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
VOULISMENI (Village) NEAPOLI
The church has good exterior decorations on the back and an interesting
stone altar inside.
VOUNOPLAGIA (Village) IOANNINA
Tel: +30 26510 61038
VOURGARELI (Small town) ARTA
VOURNIKAS (Village) LEFKADA
At Vournika there is also a church of Ayios Ioannis Prodromos. This was a private
church and belonged to the Karavia family. It is considered to be the oldest Byzantine
church on the island, older even than that of the Monastery of the Odigitria.
It is a single-aisled basilica built in ashlar masonry and with a wooden roof.
The figure of an unknown saint beseeching was found in the apse of the north wall
and the painting dates to the late 11th-early 12th century. The remaining mural
complex of Ayios Ioannis of Karavias is much more recent, dating from the 17th
century. The eastern wall is divided into registers. The lower register of the
'Platytera of the Skies' can be seen. The representation of the Ascension of Christ
on the front of the side is large and versatile and all the wall-paintings bear
the influence of the Cretan school. The whole of the Syvros region is full of
a unique and varied beauty.
This extract is cited April 2004 from the Prefecture of Lefkada URL below, which contains images
VOUTAS (Village) PELEKANOS
The church of Agia Paraskevi is 500 metres west of the village of
Voutas on the road to Kalamos and Sklavopoula. It has good frescoes from the fourteenth
century, including a curious fresco depicting the punishment of the dammed in
hell.
This extract is cited Oct 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
VRANGIANA (Village) AGRAFA
Built in 1605 and operated as the Greek museum of Agrafa - Gouva School, university of the era where, among other notable men, Eugenios Giannoulis and Kosmas the Aetolian tought.
VROSSINA (Village) IOANNINA
Tel: +30 26580 31213
VRYSSES (Village) SYVRITO
Below Vrises are the remains of the old village of Smiles. Among them
you will see the Panagia church under a large plane tree (platanos). The church
contains some frescoes.
XENOPOULO (Village) KEFALLONIA
ZACHARIANA (Settlement) KISSAMOS
ZAKYNTHOS (Island) IONIAN ISLANDS
The ruined monastery of Our Lady 'Skopiotissa', built at the top of mountain Skopos. According to archaeologists , it was build around 1400 A.D. on the ruins of the ancient temple of goddess Artemis.
ZAKYNTHOS (Town) IONIAN ISLANDS
The church of St Nikolaos 'on the Mole' in Solomos square.
The church of Faneromeni. It was completely destroyed from the 1953's earthquakes and the fire that followed but it was rebuilt and today it looks just as it used to. Detail from wall painting of the old church, now housed in the Byzantine Musuem of Zakynthos (by N. Doxaras, 18th century)
The church of our Lady of the Angels, built in 1687, was partially damaged in 1953's earthquakes but it was rebuilt soon aftewards in his original style.
In this small church of Agios Georgios, Anthimos Argyropoulos swore in the aspirant
members of the Filiki, the revolutionary organisation against the Turks. Apart
from the locals the revolutionary leader Theodoros Kolokotronis took his oath
here. On the wall the visitor can see the list of names of the members who swore
allegiance to the Struggle.
ZAROS (Small town) KENOURGIO
In the village of Panagia near Zaros, is the very interesting three-ailed
basilica of the Panagia. There are Byzantine marble reliefs inside the church
and a column of a previous church or older temple is still standing in the church.
Above the entrance portal there is a small window with Byzantine marble reliefs
decorating it.
This text is cited Dec 2002 from the Crete TOURnet URL below, which contains images.
ZERVOCHORI (Village) PARAMYTHIA
ZEVGOSTASSI (Settlement) KASTORIA
ZIROS (Village) LEFKI
The area was occupied by Turks and a plot killed a number of local
men in the church of Agia Paraskevi. The bones of these men are on display in
the same church. Also in Agia Paraskevi is a fresco on the arch above the door
dated 1565.
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