Posts in category: Πάνω σε έναν βράχο 3 – Διονυσίου

The defensive tower, almost 24-meters high, is one of the most impressive in Agios Oros. The compact, rock-bearing, square structure has four floors, two of which are vaulted, and the walls are two-meters thick on all sides. On the third floor, there are machicolations, from where the defending monks threw hot water or oil on the attacking pirates, and around the roof there are ramparts to shield the defenders. The tower was built in 1520 by the Wallachian Voivode (Prince) Neagoe Basarb, according to the well-crafted dedicatory inscription that is visible on its southern side.

The refectory (or dining hall) is located south of the cathedral. The two buildings are connected by a gallery, as the architectural plan allows for easy access from one point to another, always an important consideration in the everyday life of a monastery. The gallery houses the well-known fresco of the Apocalypse, which is described in detail later. The wide rectangular space immediately inside the entrance of the refectory dates to its Byzantine phase, while the rectangular extension that ends in the niche reserved for the Abbot is a 16th-century addition. The frescoes were made in different phases by two painters, and consist of themes relating to monastic life and the final judgement, scenes from the lives of saints, and portrayals of distinguished holy monks looking down into the space of the dining monks. The refectory of Dionysiou monastery is a place full of meaning, which is explored in detail in a different part of the tour.

The chapel of Panagia of the Akathist Hymn is located to the north of the entrance nave. Its dome rests directly on the outer walls. It hosts the most valuable icon of the Monastery, which is considered to be the oldest miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary on the Mount Athos: Panagia of the Akathist. The features of the icon are concealed by the myrrh that it emits from time to time. Tradition connects it with the siege of Konstantinople by the Persians and the Avars in 626, and the composition of the the Akathist Hymn, the well-known poem of gratitude that was then dedicated to the Virgin Mary for her help. A great wealth of narratives has survived on its miraculous interventions.

The Cathedral, the centre of the life of the fraternity, is dedicated to John the Baptist, and is situated at the top of the rocky outcrop. It was rebuilt and decorated with frescoes in the period 1535-1547 with the support of the Voivode (Prince) of Moldavia, Petru Rares, because the original Byzantine church had been destroyed by fire. Two inscriptions testify to this significant sponsorship: One above the main door of the entrance nave, below the fresco of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, and the other on the south wall, below the portraits of the ruler and his family. One of the characteristics of the cathedral is the presence of two typikaria (i.e. polygonal structures) on the eastern corners flanking the sanctuary. In the 16th century, the renowned fresco painter Tzortzis decorated the walls of the cathedral with balanced compositions, reminiscent of the art of the Byzantine era. One may notice his rendering of tall holy figures, with quiet and thoughtful faces.

The imposing complex of the Dionysiou Monastery was built on the rocky overcrop in two main construction phases. The first dates back to the time of its original founding by Saint Dionysios at the end of the 14th century, and was funded by Alexios III Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond. The second – and the most visible in the Monastery as it exists today – was the restoration and expansion of structures by the rulers of Wallachia and Moldavia in the 16th century. On the summit of the rocky outcrop stand the cathedral and the tower. The narrow central courtyard is protected by the surrounding wings and outer walls.