Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa, Byzantine monastery in Mavrochori, Greece
The Monastery of Panagia Mavriotissa is a Byzantine monastery near Lake Kastoria featuring a single-room church with a spacious narthex. The interior contains detailed wall paintings that depict both religious and secular scenes.
The monastery was founded in 1082 during Byzantine rule and was connected to the region's liberation from Norman occupation. Its construction under Alexios I Komnenos marked a turning point in the area's history.
The interior walls display frescoes from the late 12th and early 13th centuries, showing traditional Byzantine religious artistic techniques. These paintings reveal the spiritual values and artistic skill of the people who created them.
The monastery is located about 4 kilometers from Kastoria town center and can be reached on foot or by car. Its lakeside setting provides a calm environment for exploration.
The exterior walls feature rare portraits of Byzantine emperors, indicating imperial support for this site. These imperial depictions connect the monastery directly to the power and influence of the empire.
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