Byzantine Monuments

Constantinople, today Istanbul.

The origins of the Byzantine Empire go back to the last stages of the Roman Empire. In the beginning, it took up the whole East Mediterranean areas but, with the passing of time, it suffered dramatic land cut-offs The decay of the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century did not dismantle the Byzantine society immediately after.

The Byzantine art style, usually considered as a deviation of the Roman style in sculpture, was particularly defined after the 6th century, as the late Roman style predominated before that, even in the same Constantinople, according to the various statues all over the city.

However, some other monuments from those times showed a Byzantine taste, characterized by a certain uniformity and stiffness in the figures’ poses, whose lack of naturalness was reinforced by the enamels and the false precious stones and pearl strings in geometric traces. The fact that they were usually surrounded by a stylised vegetation, also contributed to the lack of naturalness of the whole.

In Architecture, the Byzantine style was based, to a great extent, on the Christian sacred history, and icons played a central role from the year 843, from the triumph of Orthodoxy. Arches and domes, and then the “cross in square” ground plans are the main features of Byzantine constructions, beautifully decorated with sacred paintings and mosaics with Bible scenes.

For those who would like to know more about the influences of the Byzantine Empire, it would be interesting to visit the Holy Monastery of Evangelistria, one of the most outstanding Byzantine monuments in Skopelos among the various Byzantine constructions that have been partially preserved in the area.

It still remains the church to the Annunciation of the Virgin, which dates from the 18th century, and is located around 3.5 kilometres from Skopelos town. Visitors can see its defensive walls around the ruins and also the church, showing the typical features of this architecture style, such as the cross-in-square plan, and the dome. Although the place has its own opening hours (9 AM to 1 PM, and 3 PM to 5 PM), admission is free.

The Pirates’ Graves at Sedoukia, of a Byzantine origin, are other historical ruins on the island, really worth visiting, and there is also an interesting cultural centre in Skopelos where visitors can learn more about the Byzantine Monuments and other related subjects, which offers several art manifestations for the traveller's amusement such as drama, music, traditional dances, puppets, book fairs, paintings, and photography