Monemvasia was liberated from the Ottoman Empire. Because of all the different kinds of civilizations that inhabit the island there are varied styles of architecture.
There are forty churches in Monemvasia, and in nine the presence of the Byzantines can be observed in art and in the structure of these temples.
Agia Sofia is a Byzantine church, one of the most important of this island. It is on the edge of a 2500 ft cliff, and it was built in the 12th century by the Emperor Andronicus.
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Christos) is the largest church of
Monemvasia. Christ Elkomenos (Elkomenos Christos) is the largest church of Monemvasia.
This temple was also founded by the Emperor Andronicus in the 13th century. Even though the temple was built by the Emperor, the Venetians were who gave its latest aspect in 1691.
In the past it became famous for being the house of the picture of Christ Elkomenos, which, after a time, was taken by Isaak Angelos and send it to Constantinople. Another painting from the 1700’s replaced the old painting, it has the same subject and it was painted in the Ionian Islands. |
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Agios Nikolaos and Panagia Myrtidiotissa (Panagia Ktitikia), Agios Dimitrios, and Agios Andreas. The church of Panagia Chrisafitissa is visited for many tourists as one of the most popular.
In the opposite side of the Christ Elkomenos there is small church called Agios Petros. It was constructed in the 10th century, but people started knowing it as the church of Agios Petros in the 16th century.
As many other churches, the Turkish converted it to a mosque. In the 19th century it was used as a prison, and at the beginning of the 20th century it was a café.
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