post-Byzantine Churches Research Articles

Particularities of wooden carved iconostases in selected post-Byzantine churches of Albania

This paper presents the data and study results of the post-Byzantine wood carved iconostases of different churches in Albania, which notwithstanding the circumstances of the communistic period have preserved to a considerable extent their typical characteristics. The paper aims to examine the stylistic and morphological aspects of the iconostasis in selected churches in relation to the architecture and tries to identify the relationships, sequences and reasons for such phenomena. The presence of iconostases in the Eastern Orthodox Church is based on the carried rituals and services that are expressed through ecclesiastical sculptures and other works. In these contexts, the iconostasis is the most dominating screen, related to the rood screen of English mediaeval churches, but contrary to them it is a closed and solid structure. In the iconostasis, architecture and wood carving workers collaborate on a large scale in order to create a solid and well-integrated frame. The analysis includes St Mary’s Monastery, also known as the Monastery of Dormition of Theotokos Mary, a medieval Byzantine church on Zvërnec island in the Narta Lagoon, southwest of the city of Vlora, southwestern Albania (SMZ); the Church of Apostles in Hoshtevë, Gjirokastra, with its spectacular interior completely covered with frescoes that became a cultural monument of Albania in 1948 (SA); and the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, simply known as Koimissi or St Mary, in the village of Labovë e Kryqit, Gjirokastër County, southern Albania (SM).

The Needs for Determining Degradation Risks from Temperature and Relative Humidity of Post-Byzantine Church Indoor Environment

Monitoring and dealing with particular conditions related to relative humidity (RH) and temperature within different cultural objects including post-byzantine churches are of primary importance for the current conservation and advancement. The objective of this paper is to explore and discuss how standards can be implemented and guide the decision processes in order to facilitate a sustainable management of cultural buildings. Following the particularities of the interface of Mediterranean and continental climate conditions, here is introduced a general climate risk assessment method, which determines how indoor climates fit into the selected post-byzantine cultural objects in Albania. A relative humidity over 75% and temperature frequently over 30°C within several churches is been assessed as a high risk of sudden or cumulative mechanical damage to most artefacts and paintings because of high humidity. Predicting preservation is an important aspect in preventing damage to objects. This paper also describes the historical and scientific background to the current discussions.

Μεταβυζαντινοί σύνθετοι και ημισύνθετοι τετρακιόνιοι σταυροειδείς εγγεγραμμένοι ναοί της Πελοποννήσου

<p><span style="line-height: 150%; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">Complex and semi-complex cross in-square four columned post Byzantine churches in Peloponnese, Greece</span></span></p><p>Post Byzantine churches in Peloponnese that belong to the two variations of the four columned cross in-square type, the complex and the semi-complex, differ from each other but at the same time share much in common. They can also be classified in groups. Ιn general terms, the application of the type in post Byzantine Peloponnese expresses the middle Byzantine tradition, whereas the churches built by the beginning of 18th century show a removal from that tradition. Moreover we can realise the close typological relationship between athonite type churches (complex cross in-square four columned type with side choirs churches), and complex cross in-square four columned type without side choirs churches in Peloponnese. To conclude, we could refer to the strong connection between post Byzantine church construction in Peloponnese and its Byzantine origins. This connection is so powerful and vivid that one can easily seek it both in the choice of church types that flourished in the Middle Byzantine period and in the persistent repetition of many characteristics of those types.</p><p> </p><p><span style="line-height: 150%; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></p>

Design and Tracing of Post-Byzantine Churches in the Florina Area, Northwestern Greece

This paper constitutes an effort to investigate the application of specific design and constructional tracing in post-Byzantine churches situated in northwestern Greece, mainly in the wider area of the town of Florina and the Prespa Lakes, covering a period from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century. Firstly, a review of the relevant previous studies concerning the investigation of proportions and constructional tracing in Byzantine churches is presented. Secondly, a brief analysis of the metric systems of the Byzantine and the Ottoman period is given in order to define the applied modules. Furthermore, the typology of post-Byzantine churches is analysed. The main part of the paper includes the investigation of the constructional grid and the proportions in several plan drawings, in combination with the use of triangular tracing (right triangles). The analysis is also extended to facades and sections, in order to demonstrate the standardisation of the construction. Apart from the above, the application of the golden section in some examples is also examined. Finally, conclusions are drawn concerning the design and application of models and tracing on the construction of post-Byzantine churches.

The depiction of the Vision of Saint Peter of Alexandria in the sanctuary of Byzantine churches

The article deals with the factors that have influenced the frequent depicting of the ‘Vision of St. Peter of Alexandria’ in the sanctuaries of Byzantine churches from the beginning of the thirteenth century. It also discusses the theological messages of this scene. The preserved examples of the ‘Vision’ from the thirteenth century have been inventoried and described, after which the iconographic characteristics of depictions from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries have been given. The examples from the sanctuaries of post-Byzantine churches have also been added to the catalogue of scenes.

Thermal, mineralogical and spectroscopic study of plasters from three post-Byzantine churches from Kastoria (northern Greece)

Several plaster samples were collected from the wall paintings of post-Byzantine monuments from Kastoria town, northern Greece. They were analysed mainly by simultaneous thermal analysis (TG-DTG/DTA) and X-ray diffraction and supplementary by electron microscope (ESEM-EDX) and Raman spectroscopy. Whitish and dark plaster layers were evident in most cases. Calcite, micas, and quartz were the dominant minerals, while dolomite, gypsum, and feldspar were detected as minor phases in most of the samples. Hydromagnesite and chlinochlore were also determined in a few samples. The utilisation of the results for chronological purposes (i.e. for assignment of different painting periods) was also suggested and the presence of dolomite and hydromagnesite could be characteristic for the provenance of the raw material. Gypsum was regarded mainly as a weathering product due to sulfation process, and secondly as a binding material of the plaster. The thermoanalytical results are in good agreement with the mineralogical data. The white plasters are categorized as hydraulic lime mortars, while the dark ones as natural pozzolanic mortars. Calcite and gypsum correlates well with their respective mass losses at certain temperature ranges and their Raman spectra are clearly detected. ESEM-EDX revealed fine calcareous components with aluminolisilicate aggregates and the application of the fresco technique either as a multi-layer or a single-layer plaster. The deterioration caused by salts (gypsum, halite, and nitratine) and micro-organisms was also determined. The detrimental effect of the salt crystallization and dissolution was also confirmed using the so-called Peltier-stage experiment.

Citizen and Monument. The Case of the Greek Island of Naxos

Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea in Greece, has been continuously inhabited from Neolithic times to the present and is full of architectural remains from all historical periods. Traditional settlements, castles, towers, numerous Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches, and several archaeological sites testify to its long and significant history.The relationship between inhabitants and their archaeological heritage is multifaceted and of special interest. This article analyses the history of this relationship, the reasons that shaped its quality, the problems, and perspectives. It also explores the ways in which citizens, in this particular case the Naxians, participate in the protection of their monuments at a time when tourist development dominates the Naxian economy.

TG-DTA and FTIR analyses of plasters from byzantine monuments in Balkan region

Historic plasters from wall paintings of Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches situated in the Balkan region were studied. All wall paintings were made with fresco technique and are dated from IX - XVI century. Plaster samples were followed from room temperature to 1000°C by Thermogravimetric (TG) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), and one or two significant temperature regions, corresponding to thermal decomposition mechanisms were observed. The analysis of the plaster samples and the composition characterization was carried out using also, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Although the main components are calcite and quartz (from sand) in different proportions, there are differences between them such as the presence of gypsum being either as a constituent element or due to environmental pollution. The results are examined comparatively taking into account the creation time and place of the paintings.