Listed 100 (total found 320) sub titles with search on: Places of worship for wider area of: "PELOPONNISOS Region GREECE" .
AGII ANARGYRI (Village) THERAPNES
The village cathedral is the church of Agii Anargyri (St. Anargyri), whereas glorious is the cavernous church of Ai-Giannaki (St. John) in Poros, which has splendid hagiographies dating back to the 11th & 13th century.
FINIKI (Village) ASSOPOS
A church on the upper side of the square of Finiki dedicated to virgin Mary is also the Patron Saint, and celebrates on 15th August.
MYSTRAS (Byzantine settlement) PELOPONNISOS
As the visitor approaches he sees the east side of the church, built
according to the enclosed brick system, characteristic of ecclesiastical architecture
of the middle-Byzantine period.
The three-storeyed bell-tower on the left - a heavy edifice like a
Franklish tower - was built much later, during the 14th century, on top of a pre-existing
side chapel, erected shortly after the church and incorporated within it. The
original height of its roof may still be discerned from the two horizontal courses
of porous stones.
Proceeding a short distance one sees on the the right a stone with
dark stains that suggest drops blood is protected by a grille on the exterior
wall of the courtyard. This is traditionally believed to be the spot where Ananias
Lambardis, Metropolitan bishop of Lacedaemonia, was executed my the Turks, because
he was one of the instigators of the insurrection which ended, three years later,
in the uprising of Orloff.
Beyond it is another of the fountains commonly encountered at Mystra,
followed by a gate which leads to the Metropolis. To the right, and at the end
of the first paved court with the monumental stairway beyond the fountain a little
vaulted stairway leads to the women's gallery from the exterior south side of
the church. On the left wall of the landing, formed after the seventh step, the
founder's inscription may be read. From it we learn that the church was founded
by the Metropolitan Bishop Nicephorus in 1291-92. It reads as follows: "The
humble Nicephorus, prelate of Crete, who has as collaborator his brother Aaron,
erected this holy house of worship At the time of Andronicus Palaelogus, Who held
the sceptre over the Romans, and of his son, Michael, May those who pass here
beseech that they be forgiven their sins And found beside the flock on the right
had of Christ When He appears at the Last Judgement".
The original architectural plan of the Metropolis was that of a three-naved
basilica. Later, probably in the 15th century, another storey, consisting of a
women's gallery and a cruciform roof with five cupolas, was added above the interior
frieze of the first storey. The church thus evolved into an architectural form
which was to be repeated at the Aphentiko and the Pantanassa; a form which consists
of a combination of the three-naved basilica on the ground floor and a cruciform
church with five domes and a women's gallery on the upper storey. According to
an inscription in relief on the level of the women's gallery, this transformation
was the work of Mathew, Metropolitan Bishop of Lacedaemonia.
The manner whereby the transformation of the shape of the roof was
effected - and the reason for which is unknown - resulted the complete destruction
of a series of frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ on the north
side and in lopping off the upper part of others in the central nave. From top
(women's gallery) to bottom the church retains its earliest iconography which,
since the last cleaning in 1968, has recovered the brilliance of its colors and
revealed fresh details now unconverted by the removal of murky deposits and some
later frescoes.
The apse of the sanctuary is dominated by the upright figure of the
"Virgin Vrephocratousa". Eleven scenes from the martyrdom of St. Demetrios
are depicted in the middle section (towards the sanctuary) of the vault of the
north nave.
The Miracles of Christ are represented on the rest of the vault. Three
zones of paintings cover the entire wall space of this nave in the following order
(top to bottom): saints within medallions; pairs of martyrs; full length military
saints.
On the opposite nave, in the vaulted section within the sanctuary
which contains the Diaconicon, there is a grandiose composition depicting angels
preparing the throne of Christ of the "Second Coming". In the remaining
section of the nave scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin extend as far
as the bishop's wooden throne. Between this point and the narthex the vault is
covered with a composition depicting the miracles of Christ which, in accordance
with Byzantine tradition, follow one another chronologically, although represented
in a single composition, as though depicting events that were occurring simultaneously
and not successively.
Between the sanctuary and narthex full-length figures, probably representing
the Apostles: are reanged at a much lower level along the wall of the same nave.
The walls the narthex are decorated with a depiction of the "Second Coming".
Here all the walls and vaults are covered with representations related to this
grandiose composition, at the center of which is the Preparation of the Throne
which extends across half the vault, above the wooden entrance door.
Angels with red wings stand around the throne; below them, on the
arches which frame the opening of the door, two angels awaiting the arrival of
Christ hold open Books of Judgement.
The iconographic decoration of the Metropolis - the earliest monument
in Mystra and especially rich in inscriptions - must have been executed between
1270 and 1285 and possesses little homogeneity of style. The variety furnished
by different schools of painting nevertheless gives this church a special place
in the history of Byzantine art, the painted decoration providing a kind of synopsis
of earlier styles which foreshadow some of the best work of the Palaeologus renaissance.
The decoration of the church is completed by the sculptures on the
columns and "iconostatis" which consist of reused materials removed
from elsewhere and consequently do not present any uniformity of style or epoch.
The Double-Headed Eagle, the heraldic device of the Paleologus dynasty, is depicted
in relief on a plaque on the pavement in center of the church. Polychrome marble
fragments of the early pavement survive here and there. The subject-matter of
the incised inscriptions on the columns consists of an inventory of the church's
various buildings and dependencies.
Fragmentary frescoes of prelates are visible on the exterior walls of the
colonnaded court which recalls the architecture of the Renaissance. The Marmara
sarcophagus is placed on the south side of the court. Immediately opposite is
the Museum, the ground floor of which possesses a large collection of inscriptions,
bas-reliefs, columnettes and capitals removed from various churches and mansions.
Fragments of frescoes from ruined chapels, portative icons, jewelry,
coins and a piece of Byzantine cloth found in the course of excavation are displayed
in the second hall. The court, including its colonnades and the group of outhouses
which now form the Museum, were built by the Metropolitan Bishop Ananias, who
was executed outside the buildings by the Turks. The relevant inscription embedded
in the wall of the second storey balcony of the Museum runs as follows: "The
chambers and gates here are not ancient But built by Bishop Ananias Who has renewed
them from their Bases, at a cost Paid from Dimitsana 1754".
This text is cited Apr 2003 from the Laconian Professionals URL below, which contains images.
NAFPLIO (Town) PELOPONNISOS
NEAPOLI (Small town) PELOPONNISOS
Other remarkable churches are those of Agios Nikolaos and Agios Nektarios.
PAPADIANIKA (Small town) ASSOPOS
The patron saint church of municipality, located in the central square of Papadianika.
SKOURA (Village) THERAPNES
The Patron Saint of the village is Agios Nikolaos (St Nikolaos). The construction of the church begun in 1888 and was inaugurated on the 26/12/1914 from the Bishop of Monembasias and Lakedaimonos Germanos, Trianos. It must be noted that the church contains intact the Sacred Table of a small church that stood in the same place before the foundation of Agios Nikolaos.
AGIA SOFIA (Settlement) LEFKTRA
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).
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
FRAGOULIAS (Settlement) ITYLO
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.
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.
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.
KALOGERORACHI (Village) ANDROUSSA
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.
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.
KARYES (Village) LAKEDEMONA
KATO GARDENITSA (Settlement) ITYLO
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MANTINIA (Municipality) ARCADIA
MANTINIA (Ancient city) ARCADIA
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.
NAFPLIO (Town) PELOPONNISOS
Potamianou and Kapodistriou Street.
On the west rocks of Akronafplia.
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