Again back to my Uni days, in my art history classes, reading about early Christian art and there was Byzantine Era. The examples I had studied were from Ravenna, Italy and it was only by chance that I came to know Byzantine Art not just thrived, but was considered second Golden Age, in Greece. While there are actually way too many Byzantine churches in Greece, 3 of those have stunning mosaic artworks still intact. I managed to visit 2 of those - Daphni, near Athens and Osios Loukas, near Delphi. The 3rd one is Nea Moni is located in Chios Island which was a bit too far away.
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First of all - what is Byzantine art? Its an early Christian art of 5th-14th C CE. The speciality is their mosaic works. Little bits of colored mosaics (obviously naturally dyed, since its way before synthetic dyed were invented) were put together to form gorgeous wall murals. This may not sound impressive if you're imagining geometric patterns, imagine human beings with all details & expressions made of tiny little colored mosaics put together - impressive yet??!!!!
Here's a tip: Osios Loukas church is still a functioning church. So maintain the decorum as in any religious place.
Entry Tickets & Timings:
Daphni: Free; Mon, Wed, Fri - 8:00AM to 3:00PM
Osios Loukas: €4 (€2 in winters) for the museum; All days - 8:30AM to 3:30PM
Osios Loukas: €4 (€2 in winters) for the museum; All days - 8:30AM to 3:30PM
To Get There:
On Google Maps: Daphni Monastery, Hosios Loukas Monastery
From Athens:
My complete -
Peloponnese Travelogue: Day trip to Peloponnese, Mycenae & Tiryns, Epidaurus
Attica Travelogue: Athens, Daphni Monastery
Central Mainland Travelogue: Delphi, Hosios Loukas Monastery
My complete -
Peloponnese Travelogue: Day trip to Peloponnese, Mycenae & Tiryns, Epidaurus
Attica Travelogue: Athens, Daphni Monastery
Central Mainland Travelogue: Delphi, Hosios Loukas Monastery