Photos, videos and docs of Martin M. Miles, with the keywords: "Byzantine"

Kastro-Kyllini - Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 20:20:09 +0000

Chlemoutsi Castle is a High Medieval Crusader castle in the far west of the Peloponnese. It is one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Greece.

After the ‘Latin’ crusaders had captured Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, the French knights occupied the Byzantine Peloponnese. Geoffrey I of Villehardouin, as a result of a dispute between him and the clergy of the Principality confiscated the church’s property and had Chlemoutsi Castle built between 1220 and 1223.

Following the conquest of Constantinople (1453), the Turks captured Chlemoutsi in 1460. During the Turkish-Venetian Wars, the castle repeatedly changed hands between the two sides. From 1687 to 1715, Chlemoutsi was held by the Venetians. From 1715 to 1821, the Ottomans were once again had the castle, although it gradually lost its strategic importance due to the introduction of new weaponry. During the Greek Revolution, on 10 November 1825, it was defended by the inhabitants who had taken refuge there against the siege by the troops of the Egyptian general Ibrahim Pasha, who captured Chlemoutsi.

Today the castle houses a museum.

A crusader on horseback
13th / 14th c. AD

Kastro-Kyllini - Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 20:08:50 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kastro-Kyllini - Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:58:52 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kastro-Kyllini - Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:26:01 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kastro-Kyllini - Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:19:47 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kastro-Kyllini - Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:12:07 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kastro-Kyllini - Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:28:52 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kastro-Kyllini - Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:17:19 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kastro-Kyllini - Chlemoutsi Castle

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:00:39 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Gastouni - Kimisis tis Theotokou

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 20:19:17 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kimisis tis Theotokou (Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God) is a late Byzantine Greek Orthodox church. It was built in the last quarter of the 12th century.

During the Frankish Crusader rule in the 13th century, the Orthodox clergy in the region were expelled and the Latin rite was introduced into the churches. The present-day place name Gastounis also derives from this period, as the local Frankish vassal is thought to have been named Gaston. The church was not rebuilt or fundamentally altered by the Crusaders. During the Venetian period, a free-standing bell tower was added to the church in the 17th century.

Gastouni - Kimisis tis Theotokou

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 20:07:03 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Kimisis tis Theotokou (Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God) is a late Byzantine Greek Orthodox church. It was built in the last quarter of the 12th century.

During the Frankish Crusader rule in the 13th century, the Orthodox clergy in the region were expelled and the Latin rite was introduced into the churches. The present-day place name Gastouni also derives from this period, as the local Frankish vassal is thought to have been named Gaston. The church was not rebuilt or fundamentally altered by the Crusaders. During the Venetian period, a free-standing bell tower was added to the church in the 17th century.

Amaliada - Monastery of Frangavilla

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 20:10:03 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The Monastery of Frangavilla was founded during the Byzantine period, in the mid-11th century. This means that the construction of the original complex predates the subsequent Frankish rule in this region. It is thought that the complex was built on the ruins of an ancient temple.

However, the name ‘Frangavilla’ dates back to the period of Frankish rule in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Of the former monastic complex, only the katholikon – the main church, dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary – has survived to the present day

In March 1993, however, the region was struck by a severe earthquake. The church building suffered devastating damage as a result, leaving it at acute risk of collapse

Through painstaking work, the church has since been stabilised and restored, ensuring that this gem of Byzantine architecture is preserved for posterity

The oldest layer of frescoes dates back to the Byzantine period when the church was founded. The majority of the frescoes visible today in the nave and the dome date from the 17th century

Amaliada - Monastery of Frangavilla

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 20:00:03 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Amaliada - Monastery of Frangavilla

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:51:44 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Amaliada - Monastery of Frangavilla

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:15:25 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Mystras - Pantanassa Monastery

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:00:09 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Mystras is a Byzantine ruined city near the village of the same name, northwest of Sparta.

The history of Mystras begins with the Fourth Crusade. When the Crusaders conquered the Peloponnese in 1206/1207, Godfrey I of Villehardouin became Prince of Achaea. His son, William II, conquered the rest of Laconia and in 1249 built a strong hilltop fortress in Mystras, which had previously been uninhabited.

In 1259, William II was captured by the troops of the Byzantine Emperor and secured his release by surrendering Mystras. The Greek inhabitants of Sparta, weary of Crusader rule, settled in Mystras, located just three kilometers away. A flourishing city grew up below the castle, eventually boasting a population of tens of thousands.
Mystras was conquered by the Ottomans in 1460. Minarets began to appear alongside churches and monasteries. The city came under Venetian control in 1687, but fell back to the Ottoman Turks as early as 1715.

In 1770, during a Russo-Turkish war, troops from the Balkans, who had invaded the Peloponnese on Ottoman orders, devastated the city. This marked the end of Mystras's heyday. During the Greek War of Independence, the city was subsequently so severely destroyed that plans for its reconstruction were abandoned. Instead, a short time later, Sparta, which had been abandoned centuries earlier, was rebuilt.

Mystras has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

The Pantanassa Monastery is a former monastery, now nunnery, was founded by Giannis Frankopoulos, chief minister of the late-Byzantine Despotate of the Morea, and was dedicated in September 1428.

Mystras - Hagia Sophia

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 21:20:02 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Mystras is a Byzantine ruined city near the village of the same name, northwest of Sparta.

The history of Mystras begins with the Fourth Crusade. When the Crusaders conquered the Peloponnese in 1206/1207, Godfrey I of Villehardouin became Prince of Achaea. His son, William II, conquered the rest of Laconia and in 1249 built a strong hilltop fortress in Mystras, which had previously been uninhabited.

In 1259, William II was captured by the troops of the Byzantine Emperor and secured his release by surrendering Mystras. The Greek inhabitants of Sparta, weary of Crusader rule, settled in Mystras, located just three kilometers away. A flourishing city grew up below the castle, eventually boasting a population of tens of thousands.
Mystras was conquered by the Ottomans in 1460. Minarets began to appear alongside churches and monasteries. The city came under Venetian control in 1687, but fell back to the Ottoman Turks as early as 1715.

In 1770, during a Russo-Turkish war, troops from the Balkans, who had invaded the Peloponnese on Ottoman orders, devastated the city. This marked the end of Mystras's heyday. During the Greek War of Independence, the city was subsequently so severely destroyed that plans for its reconstruction were abandoned. Instead, a short time later, Sparta, which had been abandoned centuries earlier, was rebuilt.

Mystras has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

Hagia Sophia was built in the 14th century by Manuel Kantakouzenos, the first despot of Mystras.

Built within the palace complex, it functioned as the royal palace church. The church became the catholicon of the men's monastery, as can be seen from the seal of the Patriarch Philotheus, from the year 1365, with which it was converted into a monastery at the request of the founder himself.

During Ottoman period, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.

The Raising of Lazarus (?)

Mystras - Hagia Sophia

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 21:12:10 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Mystras is a Byzantine ruined city near the village of the same name, northwest of Sparta.

The history of Mystras begins with the Fourth Crusade. When the Crusaders conquered the Peloponnese in 1206/1207, Godfrey I of Villehardouin became Prince of Achaea. His son, William II, conquered the rest of Laconia and in 1249 built a strong hilltop fortress in Mystras, which had previously been uninhabited.

In 1259, William II was captured by the troops of the Byzantine Emperor and secured his release by surrendering Mystras. The Greek inhabitants of Sparta, weary of Crusader rule, settled in Mystras, located just three kilometers away. A flourishing city grew up below the castle, eventually boasting a population of tens of thousands.
Mystras was conquered by the Ottomans in 1460. Minarets began to appear alongside churches and monasteries. The city came under Venetian control in 1687, but fell back to the Ottoman Turks as early as 1715.

In 1770, during a Russo-Turkish war, troops from the Balkans, who had invaded the Peloponnese on Ottoman orders, devastated the city. This marked the end of Mystras's heyday. During the Greek War of Independence, the city was subsequently so severely destroyed that plans for its reconstruction were abandoned. Instead, a short time later, Sparta, which had been abandoned centuries earlier, was rebuilt.

Mystras has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

Hagia Sophia was built in the 14th century by Manuel Kantakouzenos, the first despot of Mystras.

Built within the palace complex, it functioned as the royal palace church. The church became the catholicon of the men's monastery, as can be seen from the seal of the Patriarch Philotheus, from the year 1365, with which it was converted into a monastery at the request of the founder himself.

During Ottoman period, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.

Mystras - Hagia Sophia

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 21:03:09 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Mystras is a Byzantine ruined city near the village of the same name, northwest of Sparta.

The history of Mystras begins with the Fourth Crusade. When the Crusaders conquered the Peloponnese in 1206/1207, Godfrey I of Villehardouin became Prince of Achaea. His son, William II, conquered the rest of Laconia and in 1249 built a strong hilltop fortress in Mystras, which had previously been uninhabited.

In 1259, William II was captured by the troops of the Byzantine Emperor and secured his release by surrendering Mystras. The Greek inhabitants of Sparta, weary of Crusader rule, settled in Mystras, located just three kilometers away. A flourishing city grew up below the castle, eventually boasting a population of tens of thousands.
Mystras was conquered by the Ottomans in 1460. Minarets began to appear alongside churches and monasteries. The city came under Venetian control in 1687, but fell back to the Ottoman Turks as early as 1715.

In 1770, during a Russo-Turkish war, troops from the Balkans, who had invaded the Peloponnese on Ottoman orders, devastated the city. This marked the end of Mystras's heyday. During the Greek War of Independence, the city was subsequently so severely destroyed that plans for its reconstruction were abandoned. Instead, a short time later, Sparta, which had been abandoned centuries earlier, was rebuilt.

Mystras has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

Hagia Sophia was built in the 14th century by Manuel Kantakouzenos, the first despot of Mystras.

Built within the palace complex, it functioned as the royal palace church. The church became the catholicon of the men's monastery, as can be seen from the seal of the Patriarch Philotheus, from the year 1365, with which it was converted into a monastery at the request of the founder himself.

During Ottoman period, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.

Mystras - Hagia Sophia

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 20:42:50 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Mystras is a Byzantine ruined city near the village of the same name, northwest of Sparta.

The history of Mystras begins with the Fourth Crusade. When the Crusaders conquered the Peloponnese in 1206/1207, Godfrey I of Villehardouin became Prince of Achaea. His son, William II, conquered the rest of Laconia and in 1249 built a strong hilltop fortress in Mystras, which had previously been uninhabited.

In 1259, William II was captured by the troops of the Byzantine Emperor and secured his release by surrendering Mystras. The Greek inhabitants of Sparta, weary of Crusader rule, settled in Mystras, located just three kilometers away. A flourishing city grew up below the castle, eventually boasting a population of tens of thousands.
Mystras was conquered by the Ottomans in 1460. Minarets began to appear alongside churches and monasteries. The city came under Venetian control in 1687, but fell back to the Ottoman Turks as early as 1715.

In 1770, during a Russo-Turkish war, troops from the Balkans, who had invaded the Peloponnese on Ottoman orders, devastated the city. This marked the end of Mystras's heyday. During the Greek War of Independence, the city was subsequently so severely destroyed that plans for its reconstruction were abandoned. Instead, a short time later, Sparta, which had been abandoned centuries earlier, was rebuilt.

Mystras has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

Hagia Sophia was built in the 14th century by Manuel Kantakouzenos, the first despot of Mystras.

Built within the palace complex, it functioned as the royal palace church. The church became the catholicon of the men's monastery, as can be seen from the seal of the Patriarch Philotheus, from the year 1365, with which it was converted into a monastery at the request of the founder himself.

During Ottoman period, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.