Για παραπομπή : Trebizond, 1,800 m. to the west of the walled city and about 100 m to the south of the current coast

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1 Περίληψη : Monastery of Trebizond, founded in the first half of the 13th century by the Grand Komnenoi of the Empire of Trebizond. It included a Katholikon, a smaller church and a tower and was connected to the history of the empire. Burial place for Manuel I Grand Komnenos, monks and seculars, it was probably transformed after 1600 into a Muslim mosque. It was later used as a military warehouse, as a hospital and again as a mosque, until 1958 (Ayasofia Camii). An archaeological site ever since. Χρονολόγηση Mid-13th century ( ) Γεωγραφικός Εντοπισμός Trebizond, 1,800 m. to the west of the walled city and about 100 m to the south of the current coast 1. Historical Background The Katholikon and probably the entire monastery complex of St Sophia were founded either by Manuel I Grand Komnenos ( , who was probably buried in the Katholikon) or by his immediate successors. According to 14th century sources, the monastery was dedicated to the Wisdom (Sophia) of God s Word, that is Jesus Christ, thus called in the texts Monastery of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 According to Joseph Lazaropoulos and Michael Panaretos (14th c.), the monastery celebrated on the day of the Transfiguration (6 August). The feast was such an important event that Russians, Georgians, Armenians, Arabs, Circassians and Jew merchants flooded Trebizond. 2 The astronomer Constantine Loukites, 3 whose relations with the monastery have been reported by Joseph Lazaropoulos, 4 was probably a teacher at the monastery some time in the 14th century. The monastery remained Christian after Trebizond was occupied by the Ottomans in It was restored in 1486 and in 1547, which proves that it had been thriving until then. Later on, probably around 1600, it was transformed into a Muslim mosque, although it seems that it was used by the Christians as well for several more years Location The monastery of St Sophia was about 2 km to the west of the walled city of Trebizond and about 100 km to the south of the present coast. 3. Architecture and Description The monastery complex, built on a flat area, included the Katholikon, a smaller church to the north, a tower to the west, opposite the entrance to the Katholikon, as well as some other monastery buildings within the yard. Apart from the Katholikon, which dominates the central part of the flat area, and the tower, which is still preserved, only remains of the rest of the buildings exist. 6 The smaller church was destroyed to its foundations in the 19th century The Katholikon The Katholikon, the first of the complex buildings, is a cross-in-square church with a narthex and three apses, while three porches progect to the churches north, south and western side. Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/3/2017 Σελίδα 1/6

2 3.2. The Small Church The small church had three semicircular arches on the eastern side and four pillars on the inside, while among the eastern pillars there was an empty tomb. 7 It is believed that it was built much later than the Katholikon, in the early 15th century, in a period when several additions were made and restorations were carried out in the monastery The Tower The tower, also subsequent to the Katholikon, must have started to being built in 1426/27. Today it is a preserved four-storey building, almost 20 m high. The top view measures 5.60 x 5.02 m. The ground floor, accessible from a door on the southern side, includes a space without windows, whose wooden roof is used as the floor of the chapel on the next floor. 9 The original means of access to the chapel was through a door (now closed) on the southern wall, accessible from an external wooden staircase. Its arch, visible on the eastern external view, is supported by corbels and lighted by an single-light window at the centre. There were arched windows, now closed, on the northern and western side. The continuous external staircase provided access to the next floor through the low arched entrance (not preserved today). The floor level is marked by a prominent string course on the exterior and is seen in the interior in the masonry of the vault of the chapel below. On the eastern side there was a window, its largest part now closed, which lighted the space. The topmost point, the fourth floor, includes four big pointed openings, now closed with a glass grid. The opening of the eastern side has eaves underneath, probably dating from the post-byzantine years. In the upper part it is surrounded by clay holes in a row, built into the thickness of the masonry. Above the pointed arches, on either side, there are two small arched windows. The unusual pyramidal roof underwent many alterations during the 19th century, when all the traces that could help clarify the use of the building were removed. 4. Decorations Both the Katholikon and the small church to the north as well as the chapel of the tower were decorated with wall paintings The Small Church As regards the wall paintings of the small church, which has not been preserved, they were in good condition until the 19th century, according to Finlay, 10 who saw them when he visited the monastery Wall Decorations of the Tower According to a relevant inscription, the chapel was decorated in 1442/3, by order of John IV Grand Komnenos ( ), son of Alexios IV Grand Komnenos ( ). 11 The decoration is a rare specimen of the Dodekaorton. 12 Between the large-scale figures of the Deesis represented on the arch and the respective ones in the paintings on the walls there are differences in style, which indicates that more than one painters worked here. The figures of the Deesis, painted particularly carefully, were attributed to the main artist, whose technique can be clearly seen on the wavy linear folds on the thigh of John the Baptist. 13 Two imperial figures (partially preserved) are represented within a frame, below the arch of the chapel, on the external view of the ground floor. They frame the standing Virgin Mary holding the Child, whose hands are stretched outwards as if he is blessing the bystanders. 14 The southern figure, according to a broken inscription, was identified with John IV ( ), son of Alexios IV, who probably stood on the other side, since it was him who started to build the church and his son completed it. Just like the tomb John had built for his father, the inscription accompanying the wall painting probably aimed to demonstrate the legitimacy and continuation of John s power, while it might have been a kind of expiation of his father s murder committed during his coronation in Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/3/2017 Σελίδα 2/6

3 the autumn of Construction and Building Stages 5.1. The Small Church After the church was excavated in 1961, it was concluded that it was made from massive roughly squared blocks, connected with each other with a thick layer of mortar. 16 There is no archaeological evidence about the chronology of the small church. It is believed that it must have been built in a period of additions and restorations in the early 15th century The Tower It is made from irregular, massive roughly squared blocks placed in almost regular rows. The limestones from Oinaion (modern Ünye) were more carefully finished. Plinths were used in the construction of some arches. 18 According to the foundation inscription on the east façace of the ground floor, it was built by Alexios IV Grand Komnenos in Uses of the Tower Although different opinions have been expressed about the use of the tower (watchtower, observatory, lighthouse), it is more possible that it was a belfry because of its resemblance to similar examples in Kaymaklıand Likhaouri Present Condition Between 1957 and 1962 a group of British scientists directed by D. Winfield carried out excavations funded by the Russel Trust in the yard, restored the church and the tower and cleaned the wall paintings. It is the only Byzantine monument in the entire region of Pontos (the Black Sea) that has been restored and is used as an archaeological site Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p. 232, note 392; Chrysanthos of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (Athens 1933, reprinted in volume, Athens 1973), pp. 257, 437 (see also pp. 229, 257, 330, 332, 341, 344, 374, , 441, 463, with several pictures and drawings). 2. Κορομηλά, Μ., Οι Έλληνες στη Μαύρη Θάλασσα από την εποχή του Χαλκού ως τις αρχές του 20ού αιώνα (Athens 2001), p. 270; Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p. 232, note ; Chrysanthos of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (Athens 1933, reprinted in volume, Athens 1973), pp Παπαδόπουλος, Ι.Β., Περί της εν Τραπεζούντι Σχολής Θετικών Επιστημών, Εκκλησιαστική Αλήθεια (1919), pp , 20 22, 28 30, Also in Νέος Ποιμήν 4 (1922), pp and independent reprint (Constantinople 1922). 4. Κορομηλά, Μ., Οι Έλληνες στη Μαύρη Θάλασσα από την εποχή του Χαλκού ως τις αρχές του 20ού αιώνα (Athens 2001), p. 270; Chrysanthos of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (Athens 1933, reprinted in volume, Athens 1973), pp. 330, 332, 341, Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/3/2017 Σελίδα 3/6

4 6. Chrysanthos of Trebizond, Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος, Αρχείον Πόντου 4 5 (Athens 1933, reprinted in volume, Athens 1973), p Also Talbot Rice, D., The Church of Hagia Sophia at Trebizond (Edinburgh 1968), pp See book reviews by Τουφεξή Πάσχου, Χ., Αρχείον Πόντου 29 (1968), pp ; Λαμψίδη, Ο., Αρχείον Πόντου 29 (1968), pp Talbot Rice, D., The Church of Hagia Sophia at Trebizond (Edinburgh 1968), p Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), pp. 232, 233, note 398. See Talbot Rice, D., The Church of Hagia Sophia at Trebizond (Edinburgh 1968), p Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p. 233, note 398; Talbot Rice, D., The Church of Hagia Sophia at Trebizond (Edinburgh 1968), pp. 5, Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), pp. 233, 236, note Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), pp. 233, ; Talbot Rice, D., The Church of Hagia Sophia at Trebizond (Edinburgh 1968), p Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p. 233, note Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p. 233, note Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p. 234, note Bryer, A.A.Μ. Winfield, D.C., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos (Washington 1985), p Talbot Rice, D., The Church of Hagia Sophia at Trebizond (Edinburgh 1968), p. 1; Κορομηλά, Μ., Οι Έλληνες στη Μαύρη Θάλασσα από την εποχή του Χαλκού ως τις αρχές του 20ού αιώνα (Athens 2001), p Βιβλιογραφία : Χρύσανθος Φιλιππίδης, μητροπολίτης Τραπεζούντος, "Η Εκκλησία Τραπεζούντος", Αρχείον Πόντου, 4/5, 1933, Alpatov M., "Les Reliefs de la Sainte-Sophie de Trebizonde", Byzantion, 4, , Brounov N., "La Sainte-Sophie de Trebizonde", Byzantion, 4, , Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/3/2017 Σελίδα 4/6

5 Strzygowski J., "Les chapiteaux de Sainte Sophie a Trebizond", Bulletin de Correspondance Hellenique, 19, 1895, Κορομηλά Μ., Οι Έλληνες στη Μαύρη Θάλασσα. Από την εποχή του Χαλκού ως τις αρχές του 20ού αιώνα, Αθήνα 1991 Bryer A.A.M., Winfield D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, 1 (With Maps and Plans by R. Anderson and Drawings by J. Winfield), Washington D.C. 1985, Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20 Bryer A.A.M., Winfield D., The Byzantine Monuments and Topography of the Pontos, 2 (With Maps and Plans by R. Anderson and Drawings by J. Winfield), Washington D.C. 1985, Dumbarton Oaks Studies 20 Vasiliev A.A., "The Foundation of the Empire of Trebizond ", Speculum, 11, 1936, 3-37 Talbot-Rice D., The Church of Hagia Sophia at Trebizond, Edinburgh 1968 Talbot-Rice D., Art of Byzantine Era, London 1963 Talbot-Rice D., Byzantine Art, Harmondsworth 1954 Rice D.T., Millet G., Byzantine Painting at Trebizond, London 1936 Κωτσάκης Δ.Δ., Αστρονομία και Αστρολογία στο Βυζάντιο, Αθήνα 1983 Σωτηρίου Γ.Α., Χριστιανικά Μνημεία της Μικράς Ασίας, Αθήνα 1920 Παπαδόπουλος Ι.Β., "Περί της εν Τραπεζούντι Σχολής Θετικών Επιστημών", Εκκλησιαστική Αλήθεια, 39, 1919, 12-14, 20-22, 28-30, Ballance S., "The Byzantine Churches of Trebizond", Anatolian Studies, 10, 1960, Bryer A.A.M., "Τhe Church of Hagia Sophia in Trebizond", Apollo, 89, 1969, Lafontaine-Dosogne J., "Remarques sur le Programme Décoratif de Sainte Sophie à Trébizond", Byzantinobulgarica, 7, 1981, Gervase M., Byzantine Aesthetics, London 1963 Millet G., "Les monastères et les églises de Trébizonde", Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, 19, 1895, Millet G., "Inscriptions Byzantines de Trébizonde", Bulletin de Correspondance Hellénique, 20, 1896, Rice D.T., "Notice on some religious buildings in the city and vilayet of Trebizond", Byzantion, 5, 1929/1930, Talbot-Rice T., Decorations in the Seljukid Style in the Church of St. Sophia at Trebizond, Istanbul 1963 Winfield D., "Ayasofia Camii, Trabzon, 1959", Türk Arkeoloji Dergisi, 10/1, 1960, Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/3/2017 Σελίδα 5/6

6 Winfield D., "Ayasofia Trabzon, 1960", Türk Arkeoloji Dergisi, 11, 1961, 37-39, Winfield D., "Sancta Sophia, Trebizond. A Note on the Cleaning and Conservation Work", Studies in Conservation, 8/4, Winfield D., Wainwright J., "Some Byzantine Churches from the Pontus", Αnatolian Studies, 12, 1962, Δικτυογραφία : Narratives of the Fall: Structure and Meaning in the Genesis Frieze at Hagia Sophia, Trebizond Trabzon, Hagia Sophia Η Αγία Σοφία Τραπεζούντας Γλωσσάριo : cross-in-square church Type of church in which four barrel-vaulted bays form a greek cross; the central square of their intersection is domed. The cross is inscribed into the square ground plan by means of four corner bays. Deesis Iconographic theme, an image of intercession for the salvation of the human race, which represents Jesus as the central figure, between the Virgin and St. John the Baptist Dodekaorton The twelve important Great Feasts of the liturgical year: the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, the Baptism of Christ, the Transfiguration, the Entry into Jerusalem, Raising of Lazarus, Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Dormition of the Virgin and Pentecost. During the middle and late Byzantine period, the Dodekaorton was represented in a series of scenes that were included in the typical iconographic programme of a byzantine church. katholikon The main church in a monastic complex, heart of the monastic activity. light (of a window) The arched opening or window in Byzantine churches. Depending on the number of lights, there are single-light, double-light and three-light windows. narthex A portico or a rectangular entrance-hall, parallel with the west end of an early Christian basilica or church. Χρονολόγιο first half of 13th century: foundation of the monastery by Manuel I Grand Komnenos or by his heirs early 15th century: A smaller church is built 1426: Alexios IV Grand Komnenos builds a tower c. 1600: The monastery is transformed into a Muslim mosque : D. Winfield carries out excavations funded by the Russel Trust in the yard, restores the church and the tower and cleans their wall paintings Δημιουργήθηκε στις 9/3/2017 Σελίδα 6/6