{"id":5676,"date":"2012-01-25T09:48:28","date_gmt":"2012-01-25T07:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/klqewmpxo.cyon.link\/?page_id=5676"},"modified":"2024-11-05T18:08:59","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T16:08:59","slug":"naxos-agios-panteleimonas-lakkomersina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azalas.de\/en\/naxos-agios-panteleimonas-lakkomersina\/","title":{"rendered":"Agios Panteleimonas in Lakkomersina"},"content":{"rendered":"

S<\/big>outheast of Ap\u00edranthos, between the road to Moutso\u00fana and the road from Danak\u00f3s to the coast, lies a valley called Lakkom\u00e9rsina. When we explored that area in November 2011, we discovered a small Byzantine church on the adjacent slope and followed a small footpath to visit it.<\/p>\n

\"Agios
\nView over the valley of Lakkom\u00e9rsina with mount Zeus in the background. The church of Agios Pantele\u00edmonas is located approximately in the middle of the picture.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Agios
\nIt is a low, two-aisled church without a dome, with a porch to the west, which results in a curious, almost square building.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Agios
\nHere you can see the southern nave and the transversal porch, which lies in front of the northern nave.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Agios
\nAs is typical of most small old rural churches, the roof of this church is covered with stone slabs.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Agios
\nLike most churches on Naxos, \u00c1gios Pantele\u00edmonas is rather negligently built. These simple small churches are of special interest because – apart from natural decay – they are usually almost entirely in their original, centuries-old state, that is, they have never been reconstructed or renewed.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Agios
\nthe east front with the rather small apses<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals
\nLike so many other small Byzantine churches hidden in some valley of the island, \u00c1gios Pantele\u00edmonas shows significant wall paintings: The southern nave is adorned with extensive but (unfortunately!) rather poorly preserved murals.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals
\nPart of this figure has been covered with a cloth to protect it from decay. All of these churches have been visited and mapped by Byzantinologists. Unfortunately, however, exactly because of their large number, it is impossible for all churches to get the restauration they need so urgently.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals
\nParts of the walls are adorned with ornaments.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals
\nHere one can see at three different layers of painting, with the one on top, the most recent one, looking much more sophisticated than the ones below.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals
\nThe nave is decorated on both sides with a series of standing saints. Unfortunately most are not in a very good condition.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals
\nThese figures are in a better state. Note the garments decorated with beautiful, carefully painted details.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals<\/p>\n

\"murals
\nThe murals of this church date to the 13th century.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals<\/p>\n

\"murals
\nHere is another figure of a saint (on the southern wall); it looks as if two small figures are standing next to her head, the right one stretching out its hand towards the saint.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals
\nThe halo of this saint is decorated with small round stamps – one of the few examples on the island.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"murals<\/p>\n

T<\/big>he curious church of \u00c1gios Pantele\u00edmonas with its beautiful murals is certainly a monument worthy of protection. It shows the importance of even the more remote areas of the island during the Middle Ages: It is truly remarkable that at that time, shortly after the Venetians had conquered the island, a small church located so far from the villages would be decorated with so elaborate murals.<\/p>\n

A<\/big>s with all these churches, it can only be hoped that funds will be found and interest raised so that they can be restored sufficiently to be protected against the ravages of time.<\/p>\n

continue: Joannis Theologos Kaminiou near Kalandos<\/a><\/p>\n

see also:<\/p>\n