Kaissariani Monastery
The main church of Kaissariani Monastery is dedicated to the Revenues of the Virgin and is cruciform with 18th-century frescoes.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
The Agios Antonios chapel was constructed in the 17th century.
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
The main church and the bath were constructed at the end of the 11th century or the beginning of the 12th century AD.
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
The Kaissariani monastery is surrounded by a high wall, which has two gates (eastern and western) forming the enclosure. Outside the eastern gate is the source of ram or Koç Bachi (ram’s head). The name comes from the gutter with the head of a ram, probably a spout from the archaic Parthenon. The main church is dedicated to the Revenues of the Virgin and is inscribed cruciform with dome, with classical influences and 18th-century frescoes. The narthex was added in the 17th century. The oldest fresco preserved (the Virgin Mary praying) is of the 14th century and located outside the main’s church chappel, but it is visible from the interior of the chapel of Agios Antonios. On the west side of the central church is the post-Byzantine dining room; on the south side are the post-Byzantine cells. The three-story building in the main wing of the cells is known as the Benizeli Tower. Finally, the baths are made with the brick- enclosed system and have a dome and many later additions. During the Ottoman period, part of them were used as an olive mill. The marble altarpiece is a contemporary of the church, the marble columns are parts of monuments of late antiquity, while sculpted architectural members from different eras are scattered in the space or built into the chapel.
What I can't see
It is also called Kyriani or Sancta Syrgiani. The name Kaissariani probably comes from the brothers of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine V, who had been exiled by Empress Irene and held the title of Caesar. The monastery was very wealthy and had a significant library until the end of the Ottoman period, but we do not know where it is located. After the independence of Greece and the reign of Otto, it was dissolved (1833). At the southwest of the monastery, the first Christian centre was founded, although only ruins of the early Christian basilica and a church of the 10th century survive today. Moreover, in the same place were also the churches of St. Mark during Frankish times and of the Taxiarchi (i.e. Archangels) in the 17th century.
Bibliography
http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1524
Last visit 5/9/2015
Bouras C., (2010), Βυζαντινή Αθήνα, 10ος– 12ος αιώνα, [Byzantine Athens 10th– 12th century], Benaki Museum
Orlandos A., (1923), Μεσαιωνικά μνημεία της πεδιάδας των Αθηνών και των κλιτύων Υμηττού- Πεντελικού- Πάρνηθος και Αιγάλεω, [Medieval monuments of Athens plain and Hymettus- Pentelic- Parnis and Egaleo slopes], University of Crete
Pantelidou Alexiadou A. (2014), Kaisariani Monastery, in Navigating the routes of Art and Culture, Part 2, Athens, Ministry of Culture and Sports
