Byzantine ruins of Mystras, Greece

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From Monemvasia, ancient Sparta is close by, and our group heads out for a day trip. Overlooking Sparti, on a steep hill is the archeological site Mystras. This is one of the six places designated by UNESCO, that we are able to visit during this trip to Greece. It's design as a Late Byzantine fortified settlement, makes it important enough to be on the World Heritage List. As do the frescos.

For the art lovers, it's frescos are rare examples of the style and color range of Byzantine art. In each church the crumbling painted walls were gorgeous. It was entrancing to see the art in it's "environment", outside of the protection of a museum. You step into these medieval churches, and once your eyes adjust to the dim light, there are these unframed masterpieces, as intended for worship and learning. I wish my camera could have picked up the details better.

The artists tell such a sweet story of Christ, that even the angels are painted with emotion. Weeping in a painting of Jesus being taken down from the cross, they are covering their faces with their hands as they float above Him.

Also with in the archeological site, is a small convent, Pantanassa. The nuns living here number half a dozen or so, who ask that their photos not be taken. Which is too bad, because their smiles were infectous! The nun that attended to us was elderly, dressed in the usual black, and needed a bit of dental attention. She was selling embroidery and hand made lace, from a side room off the garden. When she opened a door at the back to get more of the tablecloths she was selling, I could see into a private room. It looked very sparse, a twin bed, nite stand, and on the wall hung a few icon pictures. Simple.
Inside the church, aside from the usual religious objects, at the votive area under a painting of the Holy mother, I beleive it was, hung the tamata. Little metal tags that have raised designs on them, such as a man, or woman, eyes, an arm, a leg, ect. These glittering little things represent prayer requests. Some for healing, or for relationships. Some for miracles.

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Photos

votive offerings, rows of tamata hang behind the candles
Mystras Pelopennese

interior of church dome
Mystras

tamata
thin embossed metal tags hang under icons asking for their special favors as prayer offerings

Mystras interior
colors are amazing

eye made of marble
Mystras eye in the floor

Plain below
Lakonia

Mystras
and the Lakonian plain below the site

under the dome
Monastery of Perivleptos (I think)

Comments

[zsteve]

Great photos, again
Kali'mera from Germany 10/10 again - both the frescos and the landscape look stunning. I look forward to your next blog entry from Greece.