Churches at Mystras

Paper Summary:

During its two centuries of existence as the Byzantine capital of the Peloponnese, a number of churches and monasteries with domes and chapels were erected at Mistras. These structures played an important role in terms of promoting the religious function in the region, as well as providing a centralized focus for the ruling elite. This paper provides an examination of these monasteries and churches at Mistras, followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.

From the Paper:

"In his essay, "The impact of Frankish architecture on Thirteenth-Century Byzantine Architecture", Charalambos Bouras writes: "In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Byzantine ecclesiastical architecture in both the capital and the provinces was mature and self-contained, meeting to the full the church building's liturgical needs and dogmatic symbolism, as well as realizing possibilities in the development of other art forms such as sculpture and monumental painting" (2002:247). In the Peloponnenos in particular, where the principality of the Morea had been established, there are not only the most important monuments of Gothic architecture, but also the most characteristic examples of Western influence on embellished Byzantine church buildings (2002:248). The Crusaders were also responsible, according to Bouras, for building a number of strong fortresses in the areas, perhaps even a part of the palace at Mistras, and certain other new settlements. The buildings of the 13th century at Peloponnesos are numerous and were usually smaller than their forerunners (such as the Hagia Sophia), and were frequently included in monastic complexes (Bouras 2002)."

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