THE MONASTERY OF VRONTOCHI

Pachomios, the ambitious superior who founded the monastery, managed to amass great wealth by advising and providing all kinds of political and other services to the Despots of Mystras, therefore the most prosperous institution of the castle town only took twenty years to complete. The structure incorporates two churches, famous among the circles of orthodox Christianity: the church of Agii Theodori and the church of Panagia Odigitria, commonly known as the "Afentiko".

The church of Agii Theodori was completedin just five years(1290 1295);it was restored in 1932 by the renowned architect, archaeologist and scholar Anastasios Orlandos. It is perhaps the last fine example of the grand style it represents the cruciform octagonal church topped with an impressive dome. Other such churches include that of Osios Loukas in Boeotia, the Monastery of Daphni and Agia Sophia in the nearby town of Monemvasia. Of the paintings once adorning the walls, only a few soldier saints have survived. Among the rest of the monuments within the church and its courtyard, one of the tombs is of particular interest; it belongs to some "Manuel Palaiologos", probably one of the emissaries from Constantinople visiting Mystras on the occasion of the coronation of Constantine as the Byzantine emperor.

After this church was completed, almost twenty years passed before the one known to everyone as Afentiko (freely translated as "belonging to the ruler"), namely Panagia Odigitria (Our Lady of Guidance), was built as the second, majestic instalment of the monastery. For Pachomios, it signalled the fulfilment of his original ambition to erect a monument of unparalleled size and beauty, that would elaborately reflect his power and importance. Annexed chapels at the four edges of the building, in the form of small towers, decorated the north and the west side of the church with their porticos, now long destroyed. Porticos were popular architectural elements throughout the structures build on the hill of Myzithras (an older, longer, more popular name for Mystras). What will definitely attract the visitor's attention, even at their present state, is the lavish nature of the paintings. The "Renaissance" thought to have taken place over the time of the Palaiologos dynasty is clearly reflected in the fluidity of movement, the elegance of posture, the vivid colours on garments and surroundings alike.

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Mystras Virtual Tour

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Mystras Virtual Tour

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Athens

Athens, a modern metropolis, a european capital, a nest for all the Mediterranean cultures. Athens, the meeting point of East and West, the harbor of everyone, who still loves passionately life! There are so many different ways to describe and analyse Athens, that any given effort to do a short depiction of the city is nothing but a try doomed to fail. Nevertheless, we will try to underline some of the main characteristics of the city of Athens. Visit Virtual Tour

Crete

Knossos was undeniably the capital of Minoan Crete and is the site of one of the most important and better known palaces of Minoan civilisation. Knossos was inhabited for several thousand years, beginning with a neolithic settlement sometime in the seventh millennium BC, and was abandoned after its destruction in 1375 BC which marked the end of Minoan civilization. It was damaged several times during earthquakes, invasions, and in 1450 BC by the colossal volcanic eruption of Thera, and the invasion of Mycenaeans who used it as their capital, while they were ruling the island of Crete until 1375 BC. Knossos was ruled by the dynasty of King Minos and is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur. Visit Virtual Tour

Sinarades-Corfu

Known from the Homeric myth, as the mythical island of Phaeacians where the shipwrecked Odysseus was soothed by princess Nausika, Corfu continues to welcome visitors from all around the world. Be a synchronous Odysseus and follow the new destination of YouGoCulture initiative. Having the Central Corfu and its old town which is in the list of the Unesco World Heritage Sites, a journey begins in the history, the traditions and the unique beauties of the island. Visit Virtual Tour

Delphi

Situated in continental Greece on Mount Parnassus, Delphi was considered to be one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. It was believed to be home to the goddess Gaia, or Earth, and later to Apollo after slaying Gaia’s son, the snake Python. The Pythian games—similar to the Olympic Games—were held here every four years to honour Apollo’s slaying of the Python dragon. Visit Virtual Tour

Eleusina

A breath away from Athens, the birth place of Eleusinian Mysteries and goddess Demeter challenges you to explore it! Eleusis or Eleusina, as now known, one of the five sacred cities of antiquity enjoys the privilege of being located only thirty kilometers from the historic Athens. But let me refresh it! It could be the privilege of Athens to have so nearby a city full of life and history! Visit Virtual Tour

Epidavros

Even today’s visitors feel that they are in a sacred place as soon as they set foot in the Asklepieion of Epidavros. The place where healing was a religious mystery. The sick were cured by the god Asklepios in their sleep (enkoimesis) or received from him instructions on the therapy they should follow. From the sixth century BC until the end of antiquity, hosts of people resorted to the Sanctuary of Asklepios in expectation that their prayers for healing would be heard and answered by the god. These were patients and pilgrims who arrived there bringing precious votive offerings from all parts of the then-known world. Visit Virtual Tour

Mycenae

Peering over the plain of Argolis, up there from the heights of the acropolis, one comes to terms with the superiority of the Mycenaean civilization. It reached its heyday in the Late Bronze Age (1350 - 1200 BCE) and then disappeared, leaving to eternity its legendary acropolis, built on an inaccessible, rocky hill between two ravines. The footprints of the Atreidai, the mythical royal dynasty, are visible to today's visitor and inspire awe in an era like ours, in which myth meets the history of the most important period of the ancient world. Visit Virtual Tour

Ancient Olympia

What can be said of Olympia and not sound like a cliché? The significance of the archaeological site is self-evident, even if one is not familiar with the fascinating historical details and the political background, which literally span thousands of years. Known to the world as the cradle of the Olympic ideal, this open-air museum of imposing ruins and unique artefacts tells a story of religious piety, fair play, political ambition, and demonstration of power. All the buildings you can still admire were erected to please the gods and send a message to the thousands of visitors who swarmed to the sacred grounds. Walking around the Stadium, the Gymnasium and the Temples of Zeus and Hera – both instrumental in the ritual and competitive part of the Games – modern visitors will be able to understand why the event remained relevant even when the rest of the Ancient World was long dead. As an added bonus to the splendour of the site, the Museum of Olympia boasts some of the most famous works of art produced in the long course of Hellenic culture. Visit Virtual Tour

Messene

Travelling in the Messenian land from Mount Taygetus to the coast, our glance dives, following the sunlight dipping onto the Messenian plain. From the mountainous volumes to the fertile valley, the olive groves and herbs, we see a landscape of culture, myth, and history, unfold before our eyes. In the heart of the region of Messenia, one town stands out: Ancient Messene. This "blissful plain" as Homer calls it, became a theatre of war and mythical narrations offering a viewpoint on the past and the present. Visit Virtual Tour
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