The Byzantine Church and the bishop mansion of Christianoupoli
The village of Christianoupoli (also called Christiani or Christianoi) is located in Filiatra, in the Peloponnese. It is home to an impressive monument, the church of the Transfiguration of the Savior (in Greek Metamorfoseos Soteros) and the ruins of an adjacent building, which formerly was the mansion of the town’s bishop.
Christianoupoli’s importance as a settlement dates back to the Middle Ages. In the 11th century, Christianoupoli had risen in importance and become the see of a metropolite. In the 11th to 12th century, a complex building including an octagonal church and an episcopal residence was erected. The church is one of the largest ones from the Byzantine era in the Peloponnese. According to tradition, it had been built on the ruins of the ancient temple of Zeus Sotiras.
The church operated until 1825, when the troops of Ibrahim Pacha destroyed it. In 1833, Christianoupoli ceased to be a metropolis. In 1886, the area was hit by a strong earthquake, and the church was badly damaged.
It remained in ruins until a first restoration, which started in the 1940s and continued until 1951, followed by another one in the years 2009-2015.
The Metropolite Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior.
The church is located on the eastern side of the complex, and its structure is entirely preserved. It belongs to the rare architectural type of complex orthogonal church with a narthex. There are only a few such examples in Greece.
The lower part of the church was erected with large stones, reused from ancient buildings, arranged in cross patterns. Above, its masonry is carefully made and follows the cloisonné system. The walls are decorated with limited ceramic elements, and its large surfaces are lightened by many windows.
The western wall of the narthex, which was initially the facade of the church, is pierced by a high gate with a relief marble doorframe.
In the interior, the church was impressive with a high roof. It was decorated by icons which partly survived, and its templon, which was initially of marble, was replaced during the Ottoman era by a built one. Under the floor of the church, mainly under the narthex, excavations have brought approximately 50 tombs to light.
The Bishop’s mansion.
The other part of the building corresponds to the former bishop’s residence, which is attached to the western side of the church. Only the ground floor of the mansion survives. The second story, which was probably the habitation level, has been lost. The building likely had a defensive aspect, similar to the towers found in monasteries of the time, which could provide protection in case of attacks.
This building is interesting because few traces of Byzantine episcopal residences have survived until today. Excavations conducted in the residence have also provided some items.
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