PERIOD

Byzantine

Monastery of Hosios Loukas in Boeotia, Nea Moni in Chios, Daphni Monastery in Attica

Despite their considerable geographical distance (the first is in Boeotia, the second in the northeastern Aegean and the third in Attica), these three monasteries belong to the same architectural style. The central church of each monastic complex, the katholikon, is an imposing building with a large dome, which rests on small arches defining an octagonal space inside the church. In the 11th and 12th centuries, these churches had rich ceramoplastic decoration, colorful marble revetments and exquisite mosaics on a golden background that complemented the luxurious construction.

Date of entry into UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites
1990

Visit website of MSC Supporting material

Monastery of Osios Loukas: the "photanamma" (heated room where the monks gathered).

Monastery of Osios Loukas: the crypt (church of St. Barbara).

Monastery of Daphni: eastern façade of the interior of the katholikon.

Nea Moni of Chios: mosaic depicting the Resurrection.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: the katholikon and the church of Panagia.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: the katholikon and the church of Panagia.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: the katholikon (main church).

Monastery of Osios Loukas: stables (vordonareion).

Monastery of Osios Loukas: courtyard leading to the cells.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: church of Panagia.

Monastery of Daphni: the katholikon (main church).

Nea Moni of Chios: mosaics in the katholikon (main church).

Monastery of Osios Loukas: Church of Panagia with elaborate decorations with clay molds and sculptured.

Panoramic view of the island of Chios, as seen from the Monastery of Nea Moni of Chios.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: olive mill

Monastery of Osios Loukas: detail of the dome of the katholikon and of the dome of the church of Panagia.

Monastery of Daphni: Detail of the fine construction of the katholikon (main church).

Monastery of Nea Moni in Chios: Detail of the mosaics in the katholikon (main church).

Panoramic view of the mount Helikon from the Monastery of Osios Loukas in Boeotia.

Monastery of Daphni: The portico (exonarthex) with copies of the columns in ionic style that were taken away.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: frescoes on the arched ceiling of the crypt.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: detail of fresco in the crypt depicting St. John the Theologian.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: semantron.

Monastery of Nea Moni of Chios: the katholikon (main church).

Monastery of Daphni: the defensive walls of the monastery.

Monastery of Nea Moni of Chios: churchyard.

Aerial view of the Monastery of Nea Moni of Chios.

Monastery of Daphni: the interior of the katholikon (main church).

Monastery of Osios Loukas: sculptured capital on a column in the church of Panagia.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: the churchtyard.

Monastery of Daphni: the façade.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: The old refectory (dining room) nowadays houses the collection of sculptures.

Monastery of Daphni: mosaic of the Annunciation.

Monastery of Daphni: mosaic of Christ Pantokrator on the dome.

Monastery of Nea Moni of Chios: the old refectory (dining room).

Monastery of Nea Moni of Chios: Interior of the katholikon (main church).

Monastery of Nea Moni of Chios: Interior of the katholikon (main church).

Monastery of Daphni: Aerial view.

Monastery of Nea Moni of Chios. Aerial view.

Monastery of Osios Loukas in Boeotia.

Monastery of Osios Loukas: the katholikon

Monastery of Osios Loukas: mosaic depicting Christ washing the feet of the Apostles in the katholikon.

Of the same period