Facade of the 12th-century Byzantine Greek Orthodox Church of Panayia Asinou (Church of Panagia Phorviotissa) in Nikitari, Cyprus
The Church of Panagia Phorviotissa (Asinou) was the main church of the Phorves monastery which was founded by a magistrate, Nikiforos Ischirios, after the death of his wife Gefyra. It is a small church with a vaulted roof which was subsequently covered by a second steep-pitched wooden one with flat tiles. The original structure was erected about 1099/1105 while the narthex with two apsidal sides to the north and south as well as a calotte are a later addition, dating to the 12th century. The church is built with irregular volcanic stones of local origin which were initially covered with plaster resembling a marble surface. The interior of the church was decorated with frescoes in 1105 and 1106. Towards the end of the 13th or early 14th century the church suffered extensive damage due to the earthquakes and the apse of the church had to be rebuilt. Since this part was to be re-decorated the decisioin was made to also re-paint the conch of the apse and the central part of the nave. The final re-decoration of the narthex was in 1332/1333 and show some Frankish influence as is the example of the female donor with a long black veil. The most recent frescoes date to the 17th century such as Christ Emmanuel inside a chalice. Frescoes from all these periods survive to the present. The earliest and most notable reflect the new style of the Comnenian period which takes its name from the then reigning Emperor of Byzantium Ioannis Comnenos. This group of frescoes, one of very few that survive to this day, are distinguished by the color, rhythm,harmoney, the restrained expression and nobility of movement. The most famous of all the frescoes is the one of Christ Pantocrator with Virgin and Angels which dominates the main dome. Of the later periods, an interesting feature is the great number of 14th century frescoes of various donors which are to be found around the narthex, almost representing a portrait gallery.
Size: 5760px × 3840px
Location: Panagia tis Asinou, Nikitari, 2778 Nicosia, Cyprus, Europe
Photo credit: © DE ROCKER / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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