Hagia Paraskevi
| Department | Archive |
|---|---|
| Collection | Byzantine Research Fund |
| Reference No. | BRF/02/01/14/007 |
| Level | Item |
| Place |
Geraki |
| Dates | 1904-1905? |
| Donor/Creator |
Wace, Mr Alan John Bayard |
| Scope and Content | Shrine of Hagia Paraskevi. Annotation in pencil on the back of the photo: H.S. 2888, Geraki, Ag. Paraskeve ,A.J.B.W. H.S.= Hellenic Society negative number |
| Further information | Built by the Franks around 1250 east of the present-day village, Geraki castle was ceded to Michael VIII in 1262 as ransom for Guillaume de Villechardouin’s freedom and remained in Greek hands until the middle of the 15th c. It is of irregular polygon shape with gate-houses, large corner towers and a plastered cistern against the south-east enceinte. The main gate, which is surmounted by three niches once filled with armorial bearings, is on the west side. The masonry throughout is rubble with tiles. The castle is said to have been built in emulation to that of Mistras and was drastically restored by the Byzantines. Numerous houses, churches and chapels still survive inside the castle walls. The small half-ruined church of Hagia Paraskevi lies further down the slop outside the walls of the castle. It is a late Byzantine cross-vaulted church with a masonry templon and most of its early fifteenth-century frescoes still surviving. Of great interest is a group portrait of the founding family on the west wall as well as a huge image of Hagia Paraskevi under a porous arch built into the north wall and decorated with naïve relief geometrical patterns and animals. |
| Related records |
[BSA SPHS 01/1070.2888], Geraki: Αγια Παρασκευή [Ayia Paraskevi] shirine, 1905
|
| Reference |
1905. BSA 11: 142, fig.3. Link to article |