Next to the ancient Greek theater of Mantineia is located Saint Fotini, built by the Arcadian architect Costas Papatheodorou. It is a building that combines ancient Greek and Christian influences, which built stone-by-stone, painted and decorated on its own from 1970-75, with the help of a few unskilled workers. The stones and marbles were collected from the demolished buildings, barrows and sheets of the Arcadian plateau and were processed one by one with almost primitive tools. He then built an ancient Heron outside the temple, in honor of the Arcadians who fought for their homeland and a Jacobite Freer, symbolizing Jesus' meeting with Samaritan. He painted the interior of the church giving the saints modern human figures and made mosaics on the floors with representations of ancient Greek mythology that are adorned with Christian doctrines. Many great names in art were flattered about his work, but many also strongly disputed it. The official Orthodox Church accepted it, but without objection. The architect as a true faithful Christian has so far defended his work modestly. Although he studied at major universities in Vienna and Berlin next to world-class teachers, he remains a very gentle and modest personality. Saint Fotini owes its existence not only to him, but also to the enlightened minds of the Mantinian League, who commissioned it to build and support to the end his revolutionary architectural innovations. TEXT-PHOTOS: GEORGE ZAFEIROPOULOS, SOURCE: www.greecewithin.com
Egrikapi is a neglected gate of the Byzantine castle of Constantinople. At the dawn of 29th May 1453, a group of Turkish soldiers entered the castle through it and broke the city's defense from within.
The Archaeological Museum of Tegea houses ancient Greek treasures of immense beauty, which are presented in a masterful way. Touring the museum is an almost mystic experience.
The image of the armoured soldiers into the islet's voluminous vegetation is impressive. They jokingly tell each other: "Let's go on patrol in Vietnam".
A photo tour of the Castle Town of Mystras, the last Byzantine Emperor’s fatherland and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Medieval salt pit, corrosion and immobility due to the saltiness, wild birds' shelter, magical images, thermal waters.
Next to the ancient Greek theater of Mantineia in Arcadia is located Saint Fotini. It is a building that combines ancient Greek and Christian influences. Many great names in art were flattered about this church, but many also strongly disputed it.
Access is not allowed in Vidronisi, as it is full of wild birds' eggs and chicks.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens houses the new Greek National Opera since 2017. This is an unsurpassed work of art of minimalist style, for which all Greeks are proud.