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The ruins of the middle Byzantine church of Hagios Elios (Hagia Kyriaki) in the location Monastery in Porto-Raphtes. Nowadays, the monument cannot be easily discerned due to the dense building of the area. (Photograph: Ch. Kontogeorgopoulou)
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Elios, Hagios- (San Diele), Porto-Raphtes
Area: Porto-Raphtes
Type: Cross-in-Square
Date: Middle-Byzantine period
Description:
In Porto Raphtes, in the northern side of the bay (Hagios Spiridonas) are located the ruins of a 12th century, two-columned, cross-in-square church, known as Hagia Kyriaki. According to archaeologist Eleni Tsofopoulou, the name Hagios Helios possible derived from a corruption of the word San Diele (Hagia Kyriaki). The name “Monastery” is not fortuitous. The ruins are next to the early Christian ruins of Drivlia, as it is established by excavation evidence (e.g. early Christian coins). From the position of the church on a well guarded hill that cannot be seen from the sea, the insecurity prevailing in the area during the 12th century is ascertained. On the contrary, the socio-financial prosperity during the early Christian years contributed to the development of the neighboring coastal Drivlia settlement.
Type: Cross-in-Square
Date: Middle-Byzantine period
Description:
In Porto Raphtes, in the northern side of the bay (Hagios Spiridonas) are located the ruins of a 12th century, two-columned, cross-in-square church, known as Hagia Kyriaki. According to archaeologist Eleni Tsofopoulou, the name Hagios Helios possible derived from a corruption of the word San Diele (Hagia Kyriaki). The name “Monastery” is not fortuitous. The ruins are next to the early Christian ruins of Drivlia, as it is established by excavation evidence (e.g. early Christian coins). From the position of the church on a well guarded hill that cannot be seen from the sea, the insecurity prevailing in the area during the 12th century is ascertained. On the contrary, the socio-financial prosperity during the early Christian years contributed to the development of the neighboring coastal Drivlia settlement.