Church of the Virgin Mary Parigoritissa: An outstanding Byzantine monument

Originally built as the main church – known as the katholikon – of a monastery, it still has 16 cells and a refectory (the monastery’s dining hall) to show for it, dedicated to the Annunciation of the Theotokos. The church came into its present form in the late 13th century thanks to the Despot of Epirus Nikephoros I Komnenos Doukas, his wife Anna Palaiologina, and their son Thomas, whose names are commemorated in an inscription inside the church

The structure combines two architectural types: Five tall apses project from the eastern side, and five domes rise above the roof, corresponding to the main church and the side chapels dedicated to the Taxiarchs (Archangels) and Saint John. The central dome creates the impression of floating in midair using an original method that has not been applied to any other Byzantine monument.

As per usual with many religious monuments, whose role has evolved throughout the years, the building features repurposed columns and sculpted capitals from various periods. The monumental image of Christ Pantokrator and the Prophets, rendered in mosaic inside the dome, has been preserved  from the late 13th century, while two impressive sculpted arches within the dome’s vaults are thought to have been crafted by Italian artisans.

Luxurious marble revetment once adorned the interior walls of Parigoritissa but no longer survives, replaced by wall paintings from different periods (15th, 17th, and 19th centuries). Visitors can admire an interesting collection of Byzantine sculptures in the monastery’s refectory building.