Walls of Trabzon
DESCRIPTION AND FORMAL ANALYSIS The Walls of Trabzon (or the «Walls of Trebizond«) are a series of defensive walls surrounding the old town of the city of Trabzon. The fortifications are sometimes called the Trabzon Castle. However, they did not function as a castle, rather as city walls. Constructed on foundations dating back to the […]
Saint Stephen
The Saint Stephen monastery is a converted Byzantine foundation in Trigleia (Tirilye). The identification with the Church of St. Stephen is not absolute certain. However, it may be associated with the monastery of St. Stephen the Confessor, who was persecuted during the reign of Leo V (813-820). The conversion to a mosque took place in […]
Hagia Sophia
DESCRIPTION AND FORMAL ANALYSIS Hagia Sophia was built in Trebizond during the reign of Manuel I between 1238 and 1263. The oldest graffiti carved in the apses of the church contain the dates 1291 and 1293. After Mehmed II conquered the city in 1461, the church was possibly converted into a mosque and its frescos […]
Panagia Chrysokephalos
DESCRIPTION AND FORMAL ANALYSIS The Panagia Chrysokephalos Church (Greek Παναγία Χρυσοκέφαλος, «Panagia the Golden-Headed»), serving as both the catholicon for the see of Trebizond, and a church for a monastery. It was built sometime in the 10th or 11th century. After Ottoman conquest of the city in 1461, the building became a mosque. During the […]