The monastery of Hosios Loukas, not far from Delphi but closer to Steiri, has an 11th century Byzantine church with spectacular mosaics, many of which survived the attacks of Crusaders, Turks, Venetians, and decades of abandonment during the early 19th century.
The view from the monastery. Loukas, who was born in Kastri, the village that was on the site of Delphi, died here in 953. The church was begun soon after.
The site could hardly be more idyllic, but the church and surrounding buildings have been treated roughly over the centuries. The central dome, for example, was destroyed in 1593, and its mosaics were not replaced.
The dome of the Katholikon was evident in the previous picture. A second church is under the tiled dome to the left.
Monks' quarters.
The nave and sanctuary.
Above the sanctuary, the virgin is enthroned; still higher, a circle of the pentecost.
This is the replacement central dome, showing Christ Pantocrator in paint, not mosaic. The work was executed in the 17th century.
Saints Anthimos, Eleutherios, Polykarpos, and Antipas.
Christ Pantocrator.
Zacharias above Panteleimon
The road east.
