The oldest BYZANTINE MONUMENTS in CALABRIA

Dear readers, in this post I will learn you about the oldest byzantine monuments in Calabria.

So if want to know, follow me.....

In this Byzantine itinerary rich in historical, artistic and naturalistic heritage started from Rossano....

position of Rossano

panorama of Rossano:

It was founded by the byzantines in the VI century a.C. on the foothills, in a short time became an important fortified center with name of Ruskianè.

For its strategic position and impregnability, in X century a.C. the town became the headquarters of the Byzantine officier of Calabria, in Byzantine period (540-1030 a.C.) it experienced a phase of splendor economic and cultural. 

Byzantine Oratory of San Marco in Rossano IX-X century a.C.:

in this building Saint Nilo (he was born in Rossano in 910 a.C.) and the monks of the near laure (small monastic settlement made of caves) prayed and read the sacred texts together.

other prospective with facade in withe

(foto by proloco of Rossano)

plan of San Marco in greek cross inscribed in a square

position of Santa Severina

panorama of Santa Severina:

In Byzantine age (IX-X century a.C.) the city was important religious center and autocephalous bishopric (so-called "byzantine metropolia"), this factor made it indipendent and its clergy made autonomous decision.

Between IX and X century A.C. it was surrounded by formidable and impenetrable walls.  

the stone ship:

Its position on the cliff with the walls made of Santa Severina an "impregnable town"

other visual near the mountains and the valley to the feet

main elevation of the byzantine baptistery - VIII century a.C.

particular dome on cilindrical body

Inside the baptistery:

the eight columns are in grey marble and hold the dome, they came from ancient buildings, in  the center there is tha baptismal font.

plan of the baptistery consists of one central part covered with a dome

 

position of Stilo

panorama of Stilo:

the byzantine center in the X century a.C. had high walls making it  impregnable important calabrian medieval center, became famous for its role of sentinel of the surrounding area and of the passageways.

Wider view of Stilo overlooking the Stilaro valley

Catholic of Stilo - X century a.C.:

it was the place worship and meditation of hermit monks of the nearby area.

The outside is cube-shaped and covered with roman large bricks joined by mortar, they came from a roman villa, therefore are elements of reuse.

plan

inside the Catholic:

the four ancient columns are elements of reuse coming from the roman buildings, support the central dome and there are also frescoes dated between the XII and XVI century a.C..

CHRIST PANTOCRATOR XII century a.C.

"Madonna dormiente" - XVI century a.C.

Finally there is Gerace called "Byzantine eagle"

position of Gerace

panorama of Gerace:

the important medieval town was born in the IX century a.C., its historic center is rich in architecture, from its cliff it controlled valleys and passageways.

other prospective

church of San Giovannello - X-XI century a.C.

(foto by comune di Gerace)

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Note: are all monuments small in size with a central plan and dome cover.

On this journey to Simeri Crichi we also find a military fortress, was built in the X century a.D. to protect its inhabitants from invader Saracens.

position of Simeri Crichi

BYZANTINE FORTRESS - X century a.D.

(foto from aeropix.it)

The Calabria is a region just waiting to be discovered 💗.

Dott. Giuseppe Lombardo