Maps of the Balkans :  1  2

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

---

While it is convenient to group icons of the Balkans together, it is not to say that all Balkan countries are alike. Nothing is farther from the truth. Romania is very different from Bulgaria, for example.

---

ALBANIA   ABOUT ALBANIA

Links Menu

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Scutari, Albania, 15th c.
1 http://www.udayton.edu/mary/meditations/olgc.html

Sts. Constantine and Helena by Onufri, 16th c.

*New!*

2 http://www.catholicdoors.com/homilies/2002/020426.htm
3 Also see Our Lady of Good Counsel, Genazzano, Italy

Icons of the Albanian Museum (Carlo Franza) http://www.leadershipmedica.com/culturale/culnov02/culturaleing/9mostrae/9mostring.htm

Icons of the Onuphre Museum http://www.geocities.com/albaland/onuphre.html
==> 3 beautiful icons with a unique style - by the 16th century icon painter Onuphri, recognized as the most important icon painter in Albania.

More icons of the Onuphre Museum http://www.forumishqiptar.com/showthread.php?t=14611&page=3
==> 20 icons and frescoes, some with 'Onuphri-style red'. By Albanian iconographers Onuphri, Zograf, Costandini, Dhimitri, and Kostandino Jeromonaku. Scroll to bottom of page 3, then continue on to page 4. *New!*

Royal Door, 16th century
*F* Icons and Frescoes in Albania ==> about 30 images
http://english.shqiptarortodoks.com/

Links Menu

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA  
ABOUT BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Icons of Bosnia-Herzegovina (16th-19th century)
by Svetlana Rakic Assistant Professor of Fine Arts at Franklin College (USA)
A very nice site. Many icon images shown there are not shown anywhere else.
==> 35 icon images and 7 images of churches

Virgin Eleousa Rila Monastery Bulgaria, 18th c.

BULGARIA   ABOUT BULGARIA

BULGARIAN ICONS
http://www.kolumbus.fi/boykor/orthodoxgaleri.htm
-- 21 rarely seen medieval Bulgarian icons, and
-- 31 contemporary icons by Ivanka Kortzanova

The Reliquary of the Blessed Virgin Mary
http://geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/9587/rel_bvm.html


CROATIA   ABOUT CROATIA

The Annunciation, mosaic Porec, Croatia

Mother of God of Hvar ............... (link to come)

*M* *F* Eufrasius' Basilica, Porec, 6th century. Eufrasius' Basilica constitutes one of the best preserved monuments of early Byzantine art in the Mediterranean, where Christianity was established as early as the 4th century. The site is on the UNESCO World Heritage list .
-- History & Heritage http://www.istra.hr/en/history_and_heritage
-- Euphrasius' Basilica - virtual tour, mosaics *New!*
http://www.istra.com/porec/virtual_tour.asp?j=&meni=povijest&submeni=eufra, click links to the right

-- Christ Almighty with Saints, mosaic *New!* http://www.IconsExplained.com/iec/lib/02958_christ_almighty_with_saints_mosaic_eufrasius_basilica_porec_croatia.jpg
-- 6 or 7 more mosaics (scroll down the page) http://nickerson.icomos.org/porec/euf-mosa.htm.
-- Mother of God enthroned, fresco *New!* http://www.IconsExplained.com/iec/lib/02957_virgin_enthroned_eufrasian_basilica_porec.jpg

Links Menu

HUNGARY   ABOUT HUNGARY

The Weeping Icon of Marijapovch http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/spirit/marija.htm

ICONOGRAPHY. Sacred Painting ln Subcarpathian Rus' http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/spirit/icon.htm

The weeping icon of Klokochovo http://www.carpatho-rusyn.org/spirit/kloko.htm

St. Maxim Sandovich http://www.comeandseeicons.com/zcj06.htm


MACEDONIA   ABOUT MACEDONIA

In the Middle Ages, fresco-painting in Macedonia reached a level equal to that of the Byzantine Empire. More on this in "The Cultural History of Macedonia"
- http://www.macedonia.co.uk/mcic/cultureandart/art/art.asp
- http://www.macedonia.co.uk/client/index1.aspx?page=23

*F* Macedonia. Cultural Heritage. http://www.soros.org.mk/konkurs/038/Kultura.htm
In the links at the bottom of the page: click link Fresco-painting

*F* Photo Galleries - Macedonian Orthodox Church
==> 115 superb, high quality images http://www.mpc.org.mk/English/vGal.asp

*F* *M* (Hellenic) Macedonia
==> 92 Frescoes http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/HellenicMacedonia/en/topic_10_1.html
==> 29 Mosaics http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/HellenicMacedonia/en/topic_7_1.htm

Macedonian Icons : 11 good images of well known icons of Macedonia with pertinent details
- http://faq.macedonia.org/the.arts/mk.icons.html
- http://www.macedonia.co.uk/client/index1.aspx?page=23

Links Menu

Ohrid

ICON GALLERY OF OHRID http://www.ohrid.org.mk/eng/ikoni/ikoni.htm
-- 32 good quality images of icons from the 11th to the 19th centuries.

ICONS OF MACEDONIA (Kosta Balabanov)
-- 53 icon images of superb quality with detailed descriptions placed in their historical perspective; historical events are also detailed ! In short, a fantastic site !
http://www.soros.org.mk/konkurs/019/eng/

*F* Some of Macedonia's many frescoes (Yvan Chorbev)
http://www.soros.org.mk/konkurs/076/angver/izborfreski.html

A selection of icons (Yvan Chorbev)
http://www.soros.org.mk/konkurs/076/angver/Izbor_ikoni.html

Dead link*F* Macedonia Cultural Heritage - The Middle Ages (Aneta Serafimova) The largest preserved cycle of frescoes in European art of the 11th century is that in St. Sophia in Ohrid, from the time of Archbishop Leo (1037-56). http://www.gov.mk/kultura/heritcont.htm. Excellent site.
-- 80 images, good quailty ==> All these links are all DEAD !

Virgin Orans, fresco Macedonia, 13th c.

OHRID - CITY OF LIGHT http://www.geocities.com/yuzmeski/ohrid.html

Radozhda

The cave church of St. Archangel Mikhail in Radozhda
http://www.struga.org/eng/caveChurchSvArhangelMihailRadozhda.htm

Skopje

*F* Frescoes of the Saint Triphon monastery near Skopje
http://www.skiouros.net/voyages/mk2000/skopje_triphon_fresques.en.html

Struga

15 Superb Icons from Struga http://www.struga.org/eng/iconsfromstruga2.htm *New!*
(Father Stefan Sandzhakoski)

Struga http://www.geocities.com/lajme8reja/struga.html?1021881870870
==> icon of St. John the Baptist

*F* Later Byzantine Art (Frescoes) & Architecture (Constantinople and Balkans) *New!*
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/sterk/Byzantine/Images/Images4.14.htm


ROMANIA   ABOUT ROMANIA

Links Menu

*F* ART OF THE FRESCO
-- Romania's Painted Churches & Monasteries
      http://www.geocities.com/paintedchurches/
-- Also see, further down : Monasteries of Bukovina
      http://www.geocities.com/ghedani1/english/english.htm

Humor Monastery
-- 23 images http://www.geocities.com/paintedchurches/humor.htm
-- 21 images http://www.geocities.com/ghedani1/humor/humoruluieg.htm
-- 2 images http://www.agrotour.ro/manastirea_humor.htm

Moldovita Monastery http://www.geocities.com/paintedchurches/moldovita.htm
-- 20 images http://www.geocities.com/ghedani1/moldovita/moldoviteg.htm

Voronet Monastery
-- 20 images http://www.geocities.com/paintedchurches/voronet.htm
-- 11 images http://www.geocities.com/ghedani1/voronet/voroneeg.htm

Links Menu

Sucevita Monastery
-- 38 images http://www.geocities.com/paintedchurches2/sucevita.htm
-- 23 images http://www.geocities.com/ghedani1/sucevita/suceviteg.htm

Dragomirna Monastery
-- 33 images http://www.geocities.com/ghedani1/dragomirna/dragomirneg.htm

Orthodox Page of Romania (Crez-Pagina Ortodoxa Româneasca)
Home Page http://www.plasticsusa.com/ortho/index.htm .
Scroll one screen down to bottom of page. You will see 4 links; each of these provides access to a number of icons as follows :

Iconostas Virtual http://www.plasticsusa.com/ortho/icnsts/index.htm
-- virtual iconostasis

Icoane Vechi Romanesti http://www.plasticsusa.com/ortho/showic.html
--12 icons of the 19th century

Links Menu

LINKS http://www.plasticsusa.com/ortho/orthores.html . Scroll to bottom of page. You will see a box with links. They are links to both monasteries (Manastiri Ortodoxe) and icons. Not all are clickable, but you can try. Following are 4 of them (A, B, C, D) which I found accessable. The 4th link (Icoane din Banat) provides access to several different types of marian icons.

(A) Manastirea Saraca http://saraca.1plan.net/
now click on Iconostas http://saraca.1plan.net/icoane.htm
This leads to 6 interesting links (the last one being a link to images in the catacombs) :
-- 6 icons of Christ http://saraca.1plan.net/photogallery/domnul_iisus_hristos.htm
-- 4 icons of the Mother of God
http://saraca.1plan.net/photogallery/maica_domnului.htm
-- 10 icons (9 of Christ and 1 of the Virgin)
http://saraca.1plan.net/photogallery/schimbatoare.htm
-- 57 icons of Saints
http://saraca.1plan.net/photogallery/sinaxar.htm
-- 4 famous icons http://saraca.1plan.net/photogallery/celebre.htm
-- 12 images of the catacombs
http://saraca.1plan.net/photogallery/catacombe.htm
See The Catacombs in General References
for more catacomb images

Links Menu

(B) Manastirile Athosului si Meteorele http://www.athos.jigorea.ro/
-- Interior of the Vatopedi Church, Mount Athos

(C) Manastiri din Bucovina (Monasteries of Bukovina)
http://www.geocities.com/ghedani1/english/english.htm
>> see ART OF THE FRESCO above

CREDO.RO Portal Crestin-Ortodox (Christian-Orthodox Portal)
http://www.credo.ro/crestin-ortodoxe/8/Icoane
Many of these links are to contemporary iconographers who are listed in the Contemporary Iconographers' Index-Imagebase
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/iec_idb4c.htm
Click the links of recommended sites shown to the right

Links Menu

Orthodox Resources (one of the sites recommended above)
http://www.resurse-ortodoxe.ro/ ==> many (250?) mostly contemporary icons of the saints of each day, per month; quality images measuring approx. 400 x 540 pixels (the icons appear to be copies of the site www.ortodoxie.ro).

BANATULUI MUSEUM, ART SECTION - ANCIENT ORTHODOX ICONS: Muzeul Banatului http://www.infotim.ro/mbt/mbt.htm, click Sectia de Arta http://www.infotim.ro/mbt/arta/arta.htm. Scroll down one screen to "Icoane ortodoxe vechi (1) (2) (3)" , then click each of the 3 links:
-- 11 icons http://www.infotim.ro/mbt/arta/icoane/icoane1.htm
-- 11 icons http://www.infotim.ro/mbt/arta/icoane/icoane2.htm
-- 9 icons http://www.infotim.ro/mbt/arta/icoane/icoane3.htm
-- Mother of God Kyriotissa (Enthroned)

Links Menu

http://www.infotim.ro/mbt/arta/icoane/2.htm
-- Mother of God Hodegetria http://www.infotim.ro/mbt/arta/icoane/6.htm
-- Christ Pantocrator http://www.infotim.ro/mbt/arta/icoane/8.htm

Muzeul Banatului - Sectia de Etnografie
http://www.infotim.ro/mbt/etnografie/eicoane/eicoane.htm
==> 4 icons on glass, 19th Century.

Romanian Icons of the Mother of God (Maica Domnului). Little information in terms of source, location... -- 84 good quality imageshttp://www.bisericaurlati.as.ro/Data/I/index.htm

ORTODOXIA IN AMERICA DE NORD. BOR Sf Ap. Andrei, Mississauga, Ont. You may try this link [ http://www.sfapostolandrei.com/ ]. If it works, click on 'Enter' to see a Flash presentation of the Credo and hear a Romanian choir singing Orthodox chants. Interesting and well done !

THE HOLY TRINITY - Reverse glass painting in oils http://home.att.net/~Ikons/Images/014G.html

Romanian icons http://www.catholica.ro/iconograme/index.asp
(The site also allows you to send an iconogram)

Links Menu

Icon gallery of the Greek-Catholic Church in Romania
-- 100-200 images http://www.greek-catholic.ro/media/galeria/icoane.asp

The holy weeping icon of the Mother of God, from the Monastery of Nicula
http://www.fr-d-serfes.org/orthodox/weepingicon.htm

Window to Romania - Links Directory - Religion and Orthodoxy
http://windowtoromania.com/wtr/links.asp?catid=30

Mitropolia Ortodoxa Româna a Europei Occidentale si Meridionale
http://www.mitropolia-paris.ro/?lang=ro&subject=icoane/index ==> 15 icons

Our Lady of Skrpjeli Montenegro

SERBIA and MONTENEGRO  
ABOUT SERBIA and MONTENEGRO

Our Lady of Skrpjeli, Montenegro
To read about icon of "Our Lady of Skrpjeli" proceed as follows :
- Click following link to page "Our Lady of Philerme"
http://www.smom-za.org/smom/saints/philerme.htm ; scroll to bottom
- Click link "The National Museum of Montenegro" ; scroll to bottom
- Click link "Heritage"
- Under Monuments click "Church of Mother of God of Skrpjeli"
- Scroll down page to icon of "Our Lady of Skrpjeli" , painted by the famous painter Lovro Dobricevic by the middle of the 15th century.

Links Menu

- Likewise you can explore the other links under 'Monuments'

After decades of Communist rule in former Yugoslavia Orthodox monasteries are enjoying a revival ==> excellent article centered around the Decani Monastery.

Explore Serbia http://www.serbia-info.com/enc/monuments/index.html ==> map

Treasures of Serbia http://www.kosovo.net/treasur.html ==> 16 icons

*F* The Official Website of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raska and Prizren
http://www.kosovo.net/default1.html ==> Scroll down to beyond the middle of the page to see the links to byzantine art in several monasteries "The Art of our Famous Monasteries"

- *F* Art of Decani Monastery, Part 1 http://www.kosovo.net/edecani2.html ==> 6 frescoes

- *F* Art of Decani Monast., Part 2 http://www.kosovo.net/edecani2b.html ==> 4 frescoes, 1 icon

- *F* Decani frescoes. Click link that follows to be taken directly to frescoes not included above
http://www.kosovo.net/dec_frescoes.html ==> 36 frescoes

- Present-day Icon Studio : http://www.kosovo.net/icon_studio.html ==> 4 contemporary icons. See the beautiful icon of the Mother of God Glykophilousa by Fr. Arsenios to the left, higher up.

- *F* Gracanica Monastery1 : http://www.kosovo.net/gracanica1.html ==> 4 frescoes, 1 icon

- *F* Gracanica Monastery2 : http://www.kosovo.net/grac_frescoes.html ==> 11 frescoes

- *F* Patriarchate of Pec1 http://www.kosovo.net/epatriar2.html ==> 10 frescoes

- *F* Patriarchate of Pec2 http://www.kosovo.net/epatriar3.html ==> 10 images

- *F* The Church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevis in Prizren http://www.kosovo.net/ljeviska.html
==> several images, including a beautiful fresco of Christ

- Also click the remaining 3 links of "The Art of our Famous Monasteries" (above)

News from Kosovo http://www.kosovo.net or http://www.kosovo.com/index1.php.

Links Menu

Zica Monastery http://www.serbia-info.com/ntos/cul_zica.htm

ST. LUKE'S SERBIAN ORTHODOX MISSION : Serbian Orthodox chants, medieval monasteries, churches, icons, iconography, prayers, fasting cookbook, articles on Orthodoxy http://www.sv-luka.org/ many links: click on Icons (or go directly to the site http://www.sv-luka.org/ikone/sericins.htm )
-- 24 old Serbian icons (very good); also click on the various monasteries, both text links and images  

St. Ephraim the Syrian's Thought and Imagery as an Inspiration to Byzantine Artists
by Zaga GAVRILOVIC, University of Birmingham, UK
http://syrcom.cua.edu/Hugoye/Vol1No2/HV1N2Gavrilovic.html
==> 27 image details of the Last Judgment, Decani Monastery

Sopocani Monastery ==> 10 frescoes and a lot of history

Sitemap with complete Fresco Archive
==> many frescoes can be enlarged to a very large size
http://blago.serbianunity.net/Archives/Sopocani/exhibits/index.html

Serbian Medieval History - Decani - Details and Frescoes http://www.suc.org/culture/history/Serb_History/Monasteries/Decani/

*F* Blago Treasure - A Wealth of Serbian frescoes. *New!*
Virtual reality catalog with panoramic pictures. http://blago.serbianunity.net./

*F* www.svetosavlje.org - Serbian Orthodox Church - Superb Frescoes of the 12th - 20th c.
http://www.svetosavlje.org/riznice/freske.htm ==> 95 frescoes     Superb!    *New!*
--- Sitemap : http://www.svetosavlje.org/mapa.htm
--- Icons of Christ : http://www.svetosavlje.org/riznice/ikonei01.htm
--- Icons of the Theotokos : http://www.svetosavlje.org/riznice/ikoneb01.htm
--- Icons of Angels : http://www.svetosavlje.org/riznice/ikonea01.htm
--- Icons of Saints : http://www.svetosavlje.org/riznice/ikones01.htm
--- Icons of special events and scenes : http://www.svetosavlje.org/riznice/ikonep01.htm
--- Churches and Monasteries : http://www.svetosavlje.org/svetinje/index.htm


The Balkans - Other Sites (Unspecified Location) 

*F* Icons, Frescoes, Holy Fathers, Monasteries and more... (OrthodoxPhotos.com)
http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/Icons_and_Frescoes/index.shtml *New!*

Pilgrimage to Orthodox Serbia *New!* http://www.stjohndc.org/russian/Serbia/e_Pilgrimage/e_PlgrmTitle.htm

Maps of Cyprus :  1  2

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

BELMONT UNIVERSITY, HONORS PROGRAM, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

⊕ *F* Byzantine Cyprus I http://campus.belmont.edu/honors/Cyprus/Asinou.html
-- 17 frescoes

⊕ *F* Byzantine Cyprus II http://campus.belmont.edu/honors/Cyprus/Lagoudera.html
-- 23 frescoes

ICONS OF CYPRUS. The Passions of Christ, A journey through Byzantine art : A journey through Byzantine icons that were painted and exhibited in Cyprus from the early Byzantine period (4th-7th centuries) until the period of the first Turkish occupation (1570-1878) | http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/iec_scenes_passion2.htm -- 15 icons

*F* THE ALL SAINTS CHURCH, Nicosia.
The All Saints Church in Nicosia, in particular the 'wallpainting' of Christ Pantocrator and all the Saints in its dome, clearly shows us that icon painting is not just 'something of the past'. Click the following link or click on the image to the left to see this masterpiece
http://www.geocities.com/wallfinish_2000_cy_cy/wallfinish.html?948142414600
The dome was decorated by the brilliant (contemporary) Bulgarian artist
George GOUTSEV (clicking the link will take you to the Contemporary Byzantine Icons page for more on the artist and see more of his works).

*F* Cyprus: 25+ images of frescoes, mosaics and churches
http://www.kypros.org/Sxetikos/Library/ByzantineChurches/Contents.htm

Asinou Church, Cyprus http://www.thesalmons.org/lynn/asinou.html

The Menil Collection http://www.menil.org/byzantine.html
-- 2 frescoes / The Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum

Thirteenth-century fresco of Christ Pantokrator ("All Sovereign") from the Church of St. Themonianos (The Menil Foundation)
Article: http://www.archaeology.org/9807/etc/special.html
Large image: http://www.archaeology.org/9807/etc/jpegs/special.jpeg

Monastery of Kykkos - The Museum http://www.kykkos-museum.cy.net/index2.html

Note: Also see ART THEFT ON A GIGANTIC SCALE in General References, Special Reports http://www.IconsExplained.com/iec/iec_idb3r.htm#special_reports

Cyprus, Land van Archeologie en Geschiedenis
(Cyprus, Country with Archeology and History) http://www.xs4all.nl/~vriescan/cyprus.htm
Homepage of Jan de Vries, travel consultant. Interesting site with some very nice frescoes. Site is in Dutch.

Cultural Interactions in Cyprus 1191- 1571: Byzantine and Italian Art *New!*
By : Ioannis Á. Eliades, University of Cyprus. PDF file - 10 pages of English text with 18 images.
Very interesting and informative.
http://www.cliohres.net/books/2/02_Eliades.pdf#search=%22byzantine%20icons%20of%2011th%20century%22

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

Athens

Benaki Museum ==> 6 icons
Icons and frescoes at the Benaki Museum of Athens in honor of the Jubilee of the Church:

(1) Icons of the Virgin Mary
http://www.myriobiblos.gr/museum/theotokos2002/index.html
-- 10 nice icons

(2) Theophanes the Cretan (not to be confused with Theophanes the Greek)
http://www.myriobiblos.gr/museum/Gallery/HolyWeek/Passions.html
-- 13 icons of the Holy Passion of Our Lord

Links Menu

(3) *F* Manuel Panselinos -- 63 frescoes
Hellenic Ministry of Culture, BYZANTINE MUSEUM of Athens -- 5 icons
HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Paul and Alexandra Kanellopoulos' Museum -- 4 icons
Corfu

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, The Byzantine Museum of Corfu (one of the most significant in Greece; it is housed in the church of the Blessed Virgin Antivouniotissa) -- 5 icons
The Byzantine Museum http://www.corfuxenos.gr/hl/byzantine.htm -- 3 icons

Links Menu

Chania (Crete)

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Collection of Chania -- 1 beautiful icon by Emmanuel Tzanes of St. George killing the dragon:
Crete (Icons)

*F* A WORLD OF BYZANTINE ART, WALL PAINTINGS IN CRETE (Ben van Dongen) : Cretan frescoes http://www.home.zon.be/fresco.crete/index.htm
-- 89 images. Very interesting and well presented ! Note that some frescoes are quite unusual as can be seen form the image of the Virgin and Child, Vahti, Crete, shown to the left, higher up the page. Once it gets the attention, this image makes one think.

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Collection of St. Catherine of Sinai at Herakleion -- 3 beautiful icons, seemingly somewhat untraditional, by Michael Damaskenos, a Cretan iconographer of the 16th century

Links Menu

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Museum of the Toplou Monastery in Crete http://www.culture.gr/2/21/212/21213m/e212mm04.html -- 3 icons

BYZANTINE ART FROM THE TOPLOU MONASTERY IN CRETE
(Paul Halsall, Fordham, New York City's Jesuit University):

- Christ Pantokrator end of 15th c. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/top-pant.gif
- Virgin Amolyntos (the Immaculate Virgin) 16th c. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/top-bvm.gif
- Virgin and St. Nicholas, portable icon. date? http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/top-bvm2.gif
- John Kornaros: "Great You Are my Lord", 1770 http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/top-jud1.gif
     - Detail: The Holy Trinity and Angels http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/top-jud2.gif
     - Detail: The Virgin, Adam and Eve http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/top-jud3.gif  

Links Menu

*F* Crete Tournet -- 17 frescoes and several island views. To see all frescoes, click on "More Photos" underneath the fresco of the Nativity, or click the link that follows.
POST-BYZANTINE ICON ART http://home.yebo.co.za/~xenitis/untitled2.html
- an excellent site with interesting reading and beautiful images; frames are used with links to 6 chapters; of these, 3 deal with Crete; the other 3 are shown here as well, even though they do not deal with Crete; if your browser cannot handle frames then the 3 Cretan School sites can be accessed by their own links shown below;

Links Menu

-- 23 images (combined total as detailed)

- chapter (1) Introduction -- 1 icon: St. Catherine (beautiful)
- chapter (2) Last Macedonian School -- 2 images (1 mural, 1 icon)
- chapter (3) Cretan School 1 - Emergence of the Cretan School -- 2 beautiful icons, high quality http://home.yebo.co.za/~xenitis/Cretan1.html
- chapter (4) Cretan School 2 -- 8 images (2 frescoes and 6 icons), high quality, all of Theophanes the Cretan http://home.yebo.co.za/~xenitis/Cretan2.html
- chapter (5) Northwestern Greece School -- 1 beautiful icon of The Annunciation
http://home.yebo.co.za/~xenitis/Katelanos.htm
- chapter (6) Cretan School 3 -- Cretan portable icons online http://home.yebo.co.za/~xenitis/Cretan3.htm
-- 9 beautiful icons Greece Crete

Links Menu

Kastoria

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Byzantine Museum of Kastoria ==> 11 icons ; icons 3, 10, and 11 are particularly beautiful (Christ Pantocrator and Virgin Hodegetria)
Macedonian Heritage - Byzantine Kastoria *F* *M* Frescoes and Mosaics found here can be found also in (Hellenic) Macedonia a few lines further down. At this location, however, historic comments are related which makes for interesting reading.

Kythera

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Collection of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine art of Kythera (Attica) -- 3 icons of the 17th century
(Hellenic) Macedonia

Links Menu

*F* *M* Macedonian Heritage
14 Icons
92 Frescoes
29 Mosaics Also Manuscripts, Embroideries, Maps, and more...

Mani (Peloponnese)   *New!*

The Raising of Lazarus (left), and the Dormition (Koimisis) of the Virgin (right). Frescoes in Milia, Mani, Greece.

*F* MANI: A GUIDE AND HISTORY.
            - By John Chapman - 
              Brief Introduction

Mani covers the southernmost middle peninsula of the Peloponnese (map1) and (map3-inset) from Kambos in the north west (about 15 km south east of Kalamata) to Cape Taenaron (Akra Tainaron) in the deep south (map2) and (map3).

Over the course of the past 6 or 7 years (from 1998 or 1999 to 2006), John Chapman visited the many Byzantine and post Byzantine churches in this region, and the frescoes they are decorated with. In his website, John Chapman shares with us this beauty, tells us about the history of this part of Greece and shows us its stunning scenery. Very interesting and very beautiful, it is one of the best sites I have seen on the web. btw, quite a few of the rotating images you may have seen on the (Icons Explained) Welcome Page are taken from his site (courtesy John Chapman).

Mount Athos (icons, frescoes and mosaics)

The Chilandar Monastery

Links Menu

Chilandar Monastery
(scroll down for more pictures) -- 3 beautiful icons

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Mount Athos : Icons of the Monastery of Stavronikita. Many of the icons shown were painted by Theophanes the Cretan; each icon is accompanied by an historical narrative -- 33 images http://www.culture.gr/2/21/218/e218m18.html

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Mount Athos Treasures http://www.culture.gr/2/21/218/e21800.html . Click portable icons
-- 136 beautiful icons with descriptions & bibliography

*F* *M* MACEDONIAN HERITAGE, Mount Athos, The Holy Mountain : An on-line review of Macedonia related affairs http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/Athos/index.html >> click Art, then scroll down the page ==> 33 images

MONASTERIES : Mount Athos and Meteor (a Romanian site - Manastirile Athosului si Meteorele) http://jp.rdsar.ro/ -- many images !

MOUNT ATHOS, Monastery of Chilander: Icon of Christ Pantokrator, treasury of Chilander, 13th century (Paul Halsall, Fordham, New York City's Jesuit University) http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/athos10.gif

MOUNT ATHOS, Monastery of Dionysos: St. John the Evangelist, 11th century
(Paul Halsall, Fordham, New York City's Jesuit University)
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/athos9.gif

MOUNT ATHOS, Monastery of Dionysos: Prayer of Jesus in Gethsemene, 11th century (Paul Halsall, Fordham, New York City's Jesuit University)
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/athos11.gif

Links Menu

Athos Gallery@www.sf.co.yu http://www.sf.co.yu/photo_galery/index.html

A selection of Mount Athos portable icons
http://poseidon.csd.auth.gr/athos/f_a_icons_.html

Christ Pantocrator, 1743 Icon from the iconostasis in the "Transfiguration" chapel, the Konak of Zograph Monastery in Karyes 78x58,5 cm

Ecumenical Patriarchate http://www.ec-patr.gr/default.php?lang=en
Click on Icons http://www.ec-patr.gr/pic_athos/ ==> 30 icons

Patmos

ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK : The Mother of God Enthroned, Patmos Monastery, second half of the 15th century
The "Jerusalem of the Aegean" is one way of describing Patmos or Patnos, as it was referred to in one 5th century inscription. It was here that St. John the Theologian was exiled between 95 and 97 A.D. and was inspired to write the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse. Patmos is one of the Dodecanese islands. Click link to see map http://www.vrpatmos.co.uk/pages/search.html
-- Shown to the left is the icon of The Mother of God Enthroned by Andreas Ritzos.

Rhodes

Our Lady of Philerme Rhodes

Our Lady of Philerme (Philermos)
1 http://www.smom-za.org/smom/saints/philerme.htm
2 http://www.orderofmaltacolombia.org/info_asocol/en_filermo.htm
Our Lady of Philerme has been highly venerated throughout the centuries, the reason for it being the strong belief that the icon bears a very close resemblance to the Virgin Mary.

Thessaloniki

*F* Saint Demetrius and two children
http://www.macedonian-heritage.gr/HellenicMacedonia/en/B2.2.2.2.2.html

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Museum of Byzantine Culture.
Late Byzantine Period http://www.culture.gr/2/21/214/21412m/e21412mb.html
-- 3 icons, good quality images
Note: The new official website of the Museum is: www.mbp.gr

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Museum of Byzantine Culture:
-- icon of the Virgin Dexiokratoussa, c. 1200. http://www.culture.gr/2/21/214/21412m/00/l1412m89.jpg

Greece - Other Sites (Unspecified Location)

St. Anna, the Holy Virgin, and Christ Child. 15th c., Zakynthos.

Shown to the right is a beautiful and very colorful icon of St. Anna, the Holy Virgin, and Christ Child. The 15th century icon is from the church of St. Nikolaos of Molos, and measures 86,9 x 60,5 x 2 cm. Museum of Zakynthos.

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE, Ceremony and Faith - Byzantine Art and the Divine Liturgy -- 25 icons
HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE: A list of all Byzantine Museums & Collections. Most of these, including the icons, have been referred to elsewhere. http://www.culture.gr/2/21/toc/byz_mus.html

Links Menu

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE: A list of all Museums, Monuments and Archaeological Sites. Most of these, including the icons, have been referred to elsewhere. http://www.culture.gr/2/21/toc/index.html

*F* MYRIOBIBLOS - On Line Library of the Church of Greece
http://www.myriobiblos.gr/museum/icons/ -- 31 images

Greek-Orthodox Icons from the Middle Ages - Compiled by Nikolaos Provatas
http://www.greece.org/romiosini/icongallery.html ==> Superb !

The Monasteries of Meteora

Links Menu

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

Genazzano

Our Lady of Good Counsel
     1 Genazzano
     2 Also read about Our Lady of Good Counsel in Scutari, Albania

Cefalu (Sicily)

*M* New photos of Cefalu by Galen Frysinger http://www.galenfrysinger.com/cefalu_sicily.htm Scroll down to see some spectacular views of Cefalu. Scroll down further and click the link "Photos of the Mosaics" http://www.galenfrysinger.com/cefalu_mosaics_sicily.htm ==> 7 great mosaics.

Links Menu

Monreale (Sicily)

*M* Monreale - History http://www.initaly.com/regions/byzant/byzant5.htm

*M* Best of Sicily: Monreale http://www.bestofsicily.com/monreale.htm
-- Christ Pantokrator in apse of the Cathedral of Monreale

*M* Byzantine Mosaics http://buten.net/max/sicily/mosaics/index_mosaics.html

*M* Duomo di Monreale http://sights.seindal.dk/sight/637_Duomo_di_Monreale.html

*M* Ancient Mosaics http://www.classicalmosaics.com/photo_album.htm. Great pictures, not limited to Monreale, but including Palermo, Rome, Venice, Ravenna and other places.

Palermo (Sicily)

*M* Mosaics in the St. Mary's of the Admiral Church, Palermo
(BELMONT UNIVERSITY, HONORS PROGRAM, Nashville, Tennessee, USA)
http://campus.belmont.edu/honors/Martorana/Martorana.html
-- 8 mosaics

Links Menu

Ravenna

*M* THE EARLY CHRISTIAN MONUMENTS AND MOSAICS OF RAVENNA (C/1996) Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire in the fifth century and then of Byzantine Italy until the eighth century. It has a unique collection of mosaics and early Christian monuments. All eight (8) buildings -- the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Arian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Church of San Vitale, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe -- were constructed in the fifth and sixth centuries. All show great artistic skill, including a wonderful blend of Greco-Roman tradition, Christian iconography and oriental and western styles. (Dr. Rozmeri Basic)

The magi presenting their gifts For more mosaics, see : (1) This page : click this link (2) The Websites-Index : first order sites by country, then click on FM

*M* Guide to Byzantine Treasures - Ravenna, the world's richest heritage of 5th and 6th century mosaics - http://www.initaly.com/regions/byzant/byzant4.htm

*M* Antique and Byzantine Mosaics in Ravenna: A Gallery of Outstanding Masterworks (Spätantike und byzantinische Mosaiken in Ravenna: eine Bildergalerie exemplarischer Meisterwerke) http://ravenna.de.ki/ ==> 25 mosaics

Links Menu

*M* Ravenna Mosaics (6th - 7th century)
-- 50 mosaics http://www.hp.uab.edu/image_archive/ulj/uljc.html

*M* Ravenna - Mosaics by Darren New -- 11 mosaics
http://images.fbrtech.com/dnew/Italy2001/35mmPhotos/Ravenna/
(Note: click 'up' to see other pages of same site with access to many images of Italian churches)

*M* Byzantine mosaics http://www.ub.uio.no/uhs/ombibl/Sophus/Utstillinger/Mosaikker/Mosaikker.html

The Churches of Ravenna http://www.initaly.com/regions/byzant/byzant3.htm

Rome

VIRGIN SALUS POPULI ROMANI ("Salut du peuple romain")
Shown to the left is the "Virgin Salus Populi Romani". It is rarely seen, and even more rarely seen in color. Dating back to the 8th century, it is the major Italian shrine and kept in the for links to still more images
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salus_Populi_Romani
(Copied from Icons Explained image http://iconsexplained.com/iec/00351.htm)

Links Menu

The Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica *New!*
http://www.vatican.va/various/sm_maggiore/en/storia/interno.htm

*M* Rome - Apse Mosaics
http://www.hp.uab.edu/image_archive/ulg/ulgd.html

*M* San Pudenziana: Apse mosaic A.D. 390, Christ Enthroned and Apostles
(New) Source: Late Antique and Early Christian Art http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth109/arth109_sl16.html.
Another image can be seen in next link.

Links Menu

*M* Golden Mosaics in Rome http://www.romeartlover.it/Mosaic.html
==> 12 mosaics

If you are interested in Rome's churches, here is Stuardt Clarke's site of 'Churches of Rome' http://www.stuardtclarkesrome.com/churches.htm

Torcello *New!*

Virgin and Child, mosaic 8th-9th c.? Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, Torcello Courtesy / Copy right Travel Adventures

*M* Quote "Of all the islands of the lagoon, Torcello, the so-called Mother of Venice, offers the most charm. It was the first settlement in the lagoon, during the 5th Century. A legend tells that St. Mark stopped here during his journey to Aquileia. (And it is still a mystery the discovery, in 1983, of an Egyptian Isis and Horus little statue.) The cathedral, Santa Maria Assunta, is a masterpiece, with its gorgeous floor and mosaics: the original church was built in the 7th century; the bell tower was added in 11th century, and the interior has a byzantine structure and is enricihed with mosaics." Source: Ancient Mosaics (Norman Tellis) http://www.classicalmosaics.com/photo_album.htm Milan, Ravenna, Venice, TORCELLO, Pompei, Rome, Naples, Palermo, Monreale, Istanbul

*M* Torcello and the famous Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral with mosaics (8th-9th c.?)
- http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/europe/torcello01.shtml

*M* Mosaic of the Mother of God in the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral on Torcello Island
- http://www.veniceword.com/torcello.html ==> good summary (text)

*M* The Last Judgement - Torcello Mosaic
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alun/127459995/

*M* Christ in Glory, mosaic, 8th-9th c.?
- http://www.qcomet.com/photos/pierre/venisepaysage/qindex.html?19


Venice

*M* San Marco Basilica http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/BSMjesusFlashEng.bsm
There is a lot of clicking, because there is a lot to see. Example : Click main screen, Virtual Basilica, Thematic itineraries, St. Marc, Further information. Now scroll down, then click Chapel of St. Peter and then Chapel of St. Clement ==> 16 mosaics

San Marco Basilica2. Many images.
http://www.jssgallery.org/Essay/Venice/San_Marco/Basilica_San_Marco/Basilica_San_Marco.htm

Links Menu

Italy - Other Sites (Unspecified Location)

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART : Byzantine Art and Painting in Italy during the 1200s and 1300s (of all links this may be the only one with images that aren't 'pure' byzantine) : http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg1/gg1-main1.html

Gallerie di Pilazzo Leoni Montanari with close to 400 old Russian icons ==> since this exhibition regards Russian icons, the links has been included under Russia 'Unspecified'.

Madonna and Child. By Berlinghiero (Italian, Lucchese). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Click link below, scroll one screen down on the page, then click on image of 'Madonna and Child'. See icon to the left.
http://historymedren.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metmuseum.org%2Fexplore%2FByzantium%2Fgallery.html

Mother of God Eleousa http://www.nd.edu/~artslide/sniteicons/htmls/htmls/eleousa.html

Eikonbiella http://www.eikonbiella.com/galleria.htm

Madonna and Child on a Curved Throne, 13th c.
Icon or Altar piece? Reflections on the Madonnas of the Kahn and Mellon collection http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/ideasv61/folda.htm

Links Menu

Virgin and Child Enthroned 1260s, margarit de aritio

The Virgin and Child Enthroned, with Scenes of the Nativity and the Lives of the Saints', signed margarit de aritio me fecit, 1260s. National Gallery, London.

Maps : Slovakia & Czech Republic :  1  2

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS  

Bardejov (SLOVAKIA)

Icons of the Saris Museum in Bardejov
http://www.lemko.org/art/bardejov/ikona1.html
==> 20 rarely seen ancient icons

CZECH REPUBLIC

ICONS
http://www.pravoslavnacirkev.cz/
http://www.pravoslavnacirkev.cz/bohosluzby.htm
http://www.pravoslavi.cz/litomerice/
http://www.pravoslavi.cz/litomerice/oznameni.htm

Slovakia and Czech Republic - Other Sites (Unspecified Location)

Subcarpathian Rus' - Who - Where... http://www.rusyn.org/pop_subcarp.htm *New!*

Maps : Lithuania & Poland :  1  2

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS  

LITHUANIA

Vilnius

The icon of the Virgin Mary Queen of Mercy, Vilnius, Lithuania, 16th century (see thumbnail image above), is a miraculous Catholic icon, greatly venerated in Poland and Lithuania, and also very well known in Russia following the division of Poland. Just like The Holy Virgin precedes her Son in time, Mary Queen of Mercy (16th century) precedes her Son Jesus Christ King of Mercy (20th century) in Vilnius, Lithuania. Also see: Icons of the Virgin of Vilnius 'Ostra Brama'
http://thesilvericon.com/SilverIconCatOstraBrama.html

History of the icon of Our Lady of Ostra Brama
http://www.geocities.com/marianshrines/vilnius.html
More on the meaning of the Ostra Brama icon
http://www.geocities.com/marianshrines/vilnius1.html

The Silver Icon of Our Lady of Ostra Brama
http://www.thesilvericon.com/SilverIconCatA55SROstraBr.sht
 
The icon of Jesus Christ King of Mercy.
In the strict sense of 'byzantine icons' the image of Jesus Christ King of Mercy is not an icon as no mention of it is made in the Bible. Nonetheless, this [20th century contemporary] icon of Jesus is shown here because of its very special miraculous history (as well, it seems to be linked to the above mentioned icon of Mary Queen of Mercy). Here is a short history of the icon:

On 22 February 1931, in the convent of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Plock, Poland, Sister Faustine (http://www.faustina.ch) was in her cell. Some time later she wrote in her diary : « In the evening, when I was in my cell, I saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment. One hand [was] raised in the gesture of blessing, the other was touching the garment at the breast. From beneath the garment, slightly drawn aside at the breast, there were emanating two large rays, one red, the other pale. In silence I kept my gaze fixed on the Lord; my soul was struck with awe, but also with great joy. After a while Jesus said to me : "Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature : « Jesus, I trust in You ». I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory." »

More details can be found in the following books and links:
(1) Winowska M., L'Icône du Christ miséricordieux

Links Menu

(Journal intime de Soeur Faustine),
Éditions Saint-Paul, Versailles, 1973
(2) Kowalska M. Faustine, Diary - Divine Mercy in My Soul.
Marians of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, Mass., 1999
     English, Table of Contents: http://faustina.ch/index_en.htm
     Français, Table de Matières: http://faustina.ch/index_fr.htm
(3) Cracow, Poland "Divine Mercy" http://198.62.75.1/www1/apparitions/http:/pr00012.htm

The Divine Mercy, Living the Message of Mercy
http://www.marian.org/divinemercy/message.html

POLAND

Czestochowa

Our Lady of Czestochowa (also referred to as 'The Black Madonna') is the Queen and Protector of Poland. It is one of the most famous icons of Europe and has a long history. It is said that the icon was first painted by Saint Luke. More details can be found in the following link(s) :
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/00016.htm

Links Menu

The most beautiful icons in Polish collections
http://www.lemko.org/books/ikony/index.html ==> 8 icons

Lithuania & Poland - Other Sites (Unspecified Location)

Prawoslawia http://www.prawoslawie.k.pl/ Ikonografia http://www.prawoslawie.k.pl/ikon.html
==> 67 high quality images

The Annunciation - *New!*
http://ldmuziejus.mch.mii.lt/Naujausiosparodos/Krikscionmeneicons.en.htm ==> 2 icons

Maps of Belarus :  1  2

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

Icons of Belarus are different from the traditional Russian icons. The main cause for this is the influence of Western art.

Belarusian School of Icon Painting
http://www.belarusguide.com/culture1/religion/icons/

Icon painting in Belarus, 15 th - 18 th centuries
http://www.geocities.com/belarus_icon/index.html

15 th - 16 th centuries ==> 8 icons
http://www.geocities.com/belarus_icon/ikons15_16.html

17 th century ==> 27 icons
http://www.geocities.com/belarus_icon/ikons17.html

18 th century ==> 57 icons
http://www.geocities.com/belarus_icon/ikons18.html

Maps of Ukraine :  1  2

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

Virgin Orans St. Sophia Cathedral Kiev, 11th century *M*

Kiev

*M* St. Sophia Cathedral. The St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev is one of the first sites that one wants to visit. Built to rival the St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, it contains many interesting mosaics and frescoes of the 11th century, one of them being the mosaic of the Virgin Orans shown to the right. This mosaic icon sometimes is referred to also as the Virgin "Undestructible Wall". http://www.galenfrysinger.com/st_sophia_cathedral_kyiv.htm

*F* The next link shows you more of the Ukraine http://www.galenfrysinger.com/ukraine.htm . Scroll down the page to Kyiv (or other place of interest), then click any of the 6 links or scroll the page down further to see more of Kiev. Besides all the beautiful images of the church, there some -- 20 icons and frescoes to admire.

Links Menu

The Kiev School produced many exquisite works of art,
some of which are shown on this page:

ARCHDIOCESE OF LVIV: UKRAINIAN ICONS, UGCC (Official website of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church http://www.ugcc.org.ua/eng/ )
http://www.ugcc.org.ua/Gallery/Gallery.Entrance.html
-- 24 images, good quality, good descriptions

RUSSIAN PAINTING (Alexander Boguslawski): Kiev School http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/kiev.html
-- 7 beautiful images & links giving access to many more (see 'Icon Painting' in ‘unspecified location’) Christ Acheiropoietos (icon not made by the hand of man) | Virgin Great Panagia | Angel with the Golden Hair .....

Maps of Russia :  1  2  3  4

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

Belozersk - Kirillov

RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - Kirillov page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_kirillov.htm

Top of Page

Links Menu

Kostroma - Palekh

RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - Palekh and Kostroma Page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_palekh_kostroma.htm

Orthodox Art - Museum objects offered by "The Ipatievskiy Monastery"
State Museum And Exhibition Center ROSIZO, Moscow - Orthodox Art http://www.rosizo.ru/eng/japan/orthodoxy.html ==> 11 icons

State Museum And Exhibition Center ROSIZO, Moscow - The Northern Letters
http://www.rosizo.ru/eng/nothern_letters/letters.html ==> 17 icons

Moscow

RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - Moscow page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_moscow.htm

Old Russian Art http://all-moscow.ru/ikona.en.html -- 12 very good images

Russian SunSITE (Sun microsystems): Andrei Rublev Museum. At present the museum has in its possession a collection of 14th-19th century icons of the Moscow, Tver and Northern schools, fragments of monumental painting, early Russian wooden sculptures and facsimile copies of frescoes http://redsun.cs.msu.su/moscow/rublev/rublev.html -- 4 Russian icons

RUSSIAN PAINTING (Alexander Boguslawski): Moscow School

Links Menu

http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/moscow.html
-- 7 beautiful images & links giving access to many more (see 'Icon Painting' in ‘unspecified location’)

Russian icons from theTretyakov Gallery in Moscow (Fondation Pierre Gianadda)
http://www.gianadda.ch/e_expos_icones.html -- 3 images with descriptions
If the above link doesn't work then click the link Fondation Pierre Gianadda and browse the site for Icon Expositions - present / past (actuelles / antérieures).

Christ in Glory By Andrei Rublev Click to enlarge

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior
The Cathedral of Christ the Savior commemorates the Divine Intercession that lead to the Russian victory over Napoleon. Thus, it is both a religious and a historical monument. Therefore, the frescoes include both religious and historical figures and events. Three images are shown in the column to the left : (1) Exterior View (2) Interior View (3) The Mother of God of Kazan

The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow -- 2 images.
http://all-moscow.ru/culture/museum/tretyak/tretyak.en.html
The icon of Christ in Glory by Andrei Rublev, shown to the right, is exhibited there also. In enlarged image, click the 4-arrow symbol to further enlarge.

ST. TIKHON'S ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, Moscow. Russian Icons -- Virtual Catalogue (page in Russian); included are 467 icons as shown below. Also see next link which is a partly English site with many of the same icons.

1. Icons of Ancient Russia, XI-XVI c. - Icons of Christ
   

Links Menu

http://www.wco.ru/icons/VirCat/Alt11-16/A1-L01Z0.htm -- 88 icons

2. Icons of Ancient Russia, XI-XVI c. - Icons of the Mother of God
    http://www.wco.ru/icons/VirCat/Alt11-16/A2-L01Z0.htm -- 40 icons

3. Icons of Ancient Russia, XI-XVI c. - Church Icons
    http://www.wco.ru/icons/VirCat/Alt11-16/A3-L01Z0.htm -- 48 icons 

4. Selected Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos
    http://www.wco.ru/icons/VirCat/GodM/B1-L01Z0.htm -- 151 icons

5. Icons of the Novgorod School
    http://www.wco.ru/icons/VirCat/Novgorod/N1-L01Z0.htm -- 52 icons

6. Icons of Ancient Pskov, XIII-XVI c.
    http://www.wco.ru/icons/VirCat/Pskov/P1-L01Z0.htm -- 24 icons

7. Art of Ancient Tver
    http://www.wco.ru/icons/VirCat/Tver/T1-L01Z0.htm -- 44 icons

8. Selection of Ancient Russian Icons from the Collection of Paul Korin
    http://www.wco.ru/icons/VirCat/Korin/K1-L01Z0.htm -- 20 icons

Russian Icons. Many icons also shown in the foregoing link. Part of this site is in English http://www.russia-hc.ru/eng/religion/icons.cfm

Novgorod

RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - Novgorod page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_novgorod.htm

City of Novgorod, Novgorod On-line: Novgorodian Icon Painting
http://www.novgorod.ru/eng/hist/ipaint/ - very good introduction -- 3 images

City of Novgorod, Novgorod On-line:
- Icons sorted by date (1) http://www.novgorod.ru/english/city/history/icongall/eng/
- Icons sorted by date (2) http://copy-www.novsu.ac.ru/novgorod/icon_gallery/english/dates.html
- Icons sorted by subject http://copy-www.novsu.ac.ru/novgorod/icon_gallery/english/topics.html
Very nice range of images of good quality -- 185 icons

Novgorod Icon Painting in the 12th - 16th Centuries (Laboratory.Ru)
http://www.laboratory.ru/refer/hist/erh080.htm - 5 pages
-- 20 icons in total; good quality images, relatively dark

RUSSIAN PAINTING (Alexander Boguslawski): Novgorod School
-- 10 beautiful images & links giving access to many more (see 'Icon Painting' in ‘unspecified location’) http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/novgorod.html

Novosibirsk

Novosibirsk Art Gallery collection of Russian Icons over a 400-year long time span *New!*
- http://gallery.nsc.ru/Percol/Icons/icons_e.html ==> 8 icons

Links Menu

Pskov

RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - Pskov page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_pskov.htm

RUSSIAN PAINTING (Alexander Boguslawski): Pskov School
http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/pskov.html
-- 3 beautiful images & links giving access to many more (see 'Icon Painting' in ‘unspecified location’)

RUSSIAN PAINTING (Alexander Boguslawski): Pskov School, 16th century. The Pskov Museum of History and Architecture, 145 x 65 cm. The Virgin from the Deesis row http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/virdees.html

Rostov - Pereslavl - Zalessky

RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - Rostov page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_rostov.htm

Sergiev Posad

Old Russian Icon Painting of the 14th - 17th Century
http://www.musobl.divo.ru/icons_e.html

RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - Sergiev Posad page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_sergiev_posad.htm

St. Petersburg

STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM, St. Petersburg http://www.hermitagemuseum.org

RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - St. Petersburg page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_st_petersburg.htm



The STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM, St. Petersburg is one of the largest museums of fine art in Europe and the largest museum of Russian art in the World (along with the State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow). It also holds one of Russia's leading collections of icons http://www.rusmuseum.ru/eng/collections/old/ ==> 12 icons

Old Russian Icons of the State Russian Museum
http://www.eng.abdn.ac.uk/~eng580/RM/icons.htm ==> 6 icons

Links Menu

WEB GALLERY OF ART (Emil Kren, Daniel Marx) http://gallery.euroweb.hu/html/m/master/zunk_ru/
-- 4 icons of the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg), good quality, good descriptions. (Note: The gallery allows access to many paintings, has a built-in search engine, and will send e-cards.)

The State Monument Museum "St. Isaac's Cathedral" http://eng.cathedral.ru/

*M* The mosaics in the "Savior on Spilt Blood Cathedral"

Tver

Tver School (A Japanese site in Japanese and French - click 'cancel' in dialog box to view) http://www.ne.jp/asahi/jun/icons/ecole/tver.html
-- 5 images of good quality
ICONS OF TVER
- http://kyyim.com.ne.kr/icondetver/ Superb !



Vologda
RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - Vologda page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_vologda.htm

Yaroslavl

RUSSIAN ICON TOUR - Yaroslavl page
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/03000_yaroslavl.htm
       Navigation Tutorial

BELMONT UNIVERSITY, HONORS PROGRAM, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Virgin Orans, Annunciation Cathedral, Yaroslavl 12th cent.
Churches and icons of Yaroslavl
http://www.cnit.uniyar.ac.ru/yaros/wwe00126.htm
-- approx. 25 images (icons & frescoes)

Links Menu

*F* *M* Russia - Other Sites (Unspecified Location)

RUSSIAN PAINTING - ICON PAINTING - by Alexander Boguslawski
http://www.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/frame1.html ==> 23 icons
Introduction - Painters - Schools. Superb ! One of the web's best sites on Byzantine Icons !

ART GALLERY - Part of Christus Rex Project
http://www.christusrex.org/www2/art/icons.htm -- 24 Russian icons, excellent images

GALLERIE DI PALAZZO LEONI MONTANARI :
Close to 400 old Russian icons of the world of sacred Orthodox art from the XIIIth to the XXth century. The collection is considered the most important in the West of that nature and comprises 130 icons of a permanent exhibition. The exhibition is of interest to both students and connoisseurs. http://www.palazzomontanari.com/template3_new.asp
http://www.palazzomontanari.com/template5_new.asp?q_tipo=1
-- 150 quality images of beautiful icons

MAISON RUSSIE
- Histoire de la Russie, par Marie-Agnès Deriglazoff
  http://www.maison-russie.com/histoire/
- Art et Histoire des Icones en Russie du Xe siecle a nos Jours, par Marie-Agnès Deriglazoff
  http://www.maison-russie.com/icone/
- Note : If the above links don't work, look for relevant links or information in the following :
    http://www.maison-russie.com/erreur-404.asp | http://www.maison-russie.com/icone/introduction.htm
    http://www.maison-russie.com/default.asp

Olga's Gallery http://www.abcgallery.com/list/2002oct16.html
==> Interesting page with 11 superb(!) icon images

RUSSIAN ICONS : INDEX (George Mitrevski, Auburn University)
RUSSIAN ICONS GALLERY - SIMPLICITY AND MODERNITY -
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/jun/icons/. A Japanese site in Japanese, French and English. Reorganized. ==> 42 excellent images.

THE TEMPLE GALLERY, SPECIALISTS IN RUSSIAN ICONS (UK) http://www.templegallery.com/getcontentpage.php?page=home Excellent site.
The (new) site has a great number of icons, and is equipped with a search utility.

Links Menu

Aquarium http://www.aquarium.ru/misc/icons/index.html (in Russian). Exclusively icons of the Mother of God, the better images are found at the start of the list.

ICON - ATELIER HÜSSTEGE. Restoration and sale of [mostly Russian] icons from the 17th to the 19th century http://www.iconen.nl/ -- 23 icons

Icons and Holy Places. Images and descriptions of several miraculous icons.
Icon Catalog http://www.ermey.ru/eng_frame.htm

Links Menu

Icon Collection (very good images) http://www.icons.spb.ru/

A Gallery of Russian Icons http://iconostasis.com ==> 11 icons,
including an icon of Longinus the Centurion. By Fiodor Zubov (1680).

Icons of Russia ? (in Russian) ==> 151 icons
(Click on icons, in 2nd row to the left, next click on figures to the right)

IKON http://www.celtoslavica.de/imago/ikon.html . Nice presentation with high quality images, including the 9th c. mosaic of the Enthroned Mother of God ("Kyriotissa") of the Hagia Sophia (click links at bottom of the page)

Links Menu

Online Magazine "Das Kultur". Introduction to Russian icons (in German).
- http://www.kultura-extra.de/kunst/spezial/ikonen.html *New!*

*F* Monastery of Ferapontov: interior wall of the church decorated with frescoes
(University of Washington Librairies, Digital Collections)
Old Russian Icons http://www.russianartgallery.org/oldicons/index.htm
See the beautiful representation of the icon of the Theotokos of Vladimir to the left

Links Menu

RUSSIAN ICON GALLERY (Tallinn, Estonia)
http://www.russian-icon.com/ -- 200 icons

RUSSIAN TREASURES NET http://www.russiantreasures.net/iconsg_acmk6.html
http://www.russiantreasures.net/icons_gallery.html -- 280 images

Selected [Russian] Icons from the Amy Putnam Icon Room at the Timken Museum of Art http://gort.ucsd.edu/sj/timken/a-icon.html -- 7 icons

ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK.
The Mother of God icons http://web.sbu.edu/theology/bychkov/mary.html
-- 15 beautiful icons (primarily Russian)

The Religious Antique Shop Sancta. Large selection of old Russian icons for sale http://ikons1.tripod.com/ -- 100+ icons

Links Menu

Christian Art Gallery - icons, murals & mosaics with Dr. Oleg Uliyanov.
- In English & German | http://www.icon-art.info/?lng=en texts in English and German.
The well documented and organized Gallery is mentioned at this location since it mostly is about Russian and Ukrainian icons.
Further details can be found in the (new) (Icons Explained) Gallery - Imagebase

For sale - The largest private collection of Russian Art in Switzerland
http://www.russianart.ch/index.html ==> 85 icons

Windows into Heaven - Russian icons of the Romanov period 1613 - 1917
presented by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church http://www.orthodoxchurch.com/pages/Icons/index.html
==> 63 icons

Obraz.org Iconography http://www.obraz.org/iconography/
Icon Gallery - Well organized - Large number of icons

All-Photo.ru http://all-photo.ru/icon/ *New!*

*F* Hramdecor, Russia, Icons & Frescoes (sitemap) :
http://hramdecor.ru/hramdecor_map.php
     Master gallery with 6 pictures http://hramdecor.ru/masterskaya/hramdecor_gallery.php
Click on each picture to see icons or frescoes or icons + frescoes
- Frescoes http://hramdecor.ru/masterskaya/hhs/gallery_hhs.php
- Frescoes http://hramdecor.ru/masterskaya/donskoi/gallery_donskoi.php
- Icons http://hramdecor.ru/masterskaya/hoteichi/gallery_hoteichi.php
- Icons and Frescoes http://hramdecor.ru/masterskaya/karmolino/gallery_karmolino.php
- Other works http://hramdecor.ru/masterskaya/other_works/gallery_other_works.php
- Galery "Zoloto" works http://hramdecor.ru/masterskaya/zoloto_works/gallery_zoloto_works.php

*F* Hramdecor, Russia : Icons & Frescoes :
http://www.hramdecor.ru/ or http://www.hramdecor.ru/index.htm
     Down the page, near the end, is a link to a new site named http://fresco.land.ru/. You can access several interesting pages on that site. Since frames are being used, which is not evident, it is easier to access these pages directly by using the following links :
- http://fresco.land.ru/galery1/galery.htm ==> 55 ancient frescoes
- http://fresco.land.ru/galery/galery.htm ==> 38 contemporary frescoes
- http://fresco.land.ru/galery3/galery.htm ==> 42 icons

Maps of the Republic of Georgia :  1  2  3

The Most Holy Mother of God of Georgia

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

*F* ORTHODOX CHURCH OF GEORGIA
Christianity was adopted in Georgia as the state religion in A.D. 317. Georgia is rich in byzantine art. Restoration is required to preserve it.
http://www.geo.orthodoxy.ru/mural.htm -- 126 frescoes
http://www.geo.orthodoxy.ru/icons.htm -- 51+ icons
See this superb icon of the Most Holy Mother of God of Georgia to the right http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/02188.htm

COME AND SEE - Icons, Books and Art
http://www.comeandseeicons.com/index.html (scroll down one page)
6 icons as follows :
-- Raising of Lazarus http://www.comeandseeicons.com/pdi05.htm
-- The Presentation of Christ http://www.comeandseeicons.com/pdi04.htm
-- The Theotokos (Come and See) http://www.comeandseeicons.com/pdi09.htm
-- Our Lord, God & Savior Jesus Christ, Pantocrator
http://www.comeandseeicons.com/pdi11.htm
-- The Martvili Icon of the Virgin http://www.comeandseeicons.com/pdi15.htm
-- Mother of God "Tsilkan" http://www.comeandseeicons.com/pdi18.htm
Here is a detail http://www.comeandseeicons.com/pdi14.htm
     The icon dates back to either the 4th century (Come and See), or to the 9th century (Georgian Orthodox Church). Even if it dates back to the 9th century it would still rank among the oldest icons we know. Since it also is very well preserved we are looking at a rare piece of art.

Georgian Patriarchate http://www.patriarchate.ge/

Byzantine art works : contemporary icons of old themes, images of ancient icons and images of ancient byzantine art work
18 items http://www.patriarchate.ge/art/1/xatebi.htm
12 items http://www.patriarchate.ge/art/2.htm
5 items http://www.patriarchate.ge/art/3.htm
8 items http://www.patriarchate.ge/art/4.htm

Monasteries, Churches and other photos
Monasteries and Churches http://www.patriarchate.ge/art/5.htm
Photos, Georgia1 http://troi.cc.rochester.edu/~mchs/Georgia1.htm
Photos, Georgia2 http://troi.cc.rochester.edu/~mchs/Georgia2.htm

Maps of Armenia :  1  2  3

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS, CHURCHES, AND OTHER ARTS

*F* Arts of Armenia [Captions of Slides]
http://armenianstudies.csufresno.edu/arts_of_armenia/captions.htm
This link provides access to 300 images, some of which can be accessed also with the links shown further down. The latter may provide more elaborate texts, however.

*F* *M* History Of Early Christian Frescoes
http://www.worldartcelebritiesjournal11.netfirms.com/history_of_early_christian_fresc.htm

*F* *M* ANCIENT GRECO-ARMENIAN FRESCOES AND MOSAIC
http://www.worldartcelebritiesjWINDOW-1ournal4.netfirms.com/fresco2.htm

Virtual Armenia http://www.virtualarmenia.am/

Culture of Armenia http://special.yerphi.am/culture/culture.html

*F* Armenia Applied Art - Illuminated Manuscripts and Ceramics http://www.armeniaguide.com/html/appliedart.html

Links Menu

Maps of Turkey :  1  2  2

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

Göreme

*F* BELMONT UNIVERSITY, HONORS PROGRAM, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Decoration of rock-cut churches in the Cappadocian country side http://campus.belmont.edu/honors/macedonian/tokali.html
-- many splendid frescoes

Cappadocia online - Beautiful site - Excellent commentary ! http://www.cappadociaonline.com/
*F* Tatlarin http://www.cappadociaonline.com/tatlarin.html ==> 11 frescoes

Goreme Village http://www.cappadociaonline.com/Goreme.html
Click links of all 5 churches ==> 19 images (combined)

Goreme *Open Air Museum http://www.cappadociaonline.com/museum.html
Click links of these 4 churches ==> 37 images (combined)
-- *F* Karanlik (Dark) Church - 14 beautiful murals http://www.cappadociaonline.com/dark.html
-- *F* Chapel of St Catherine - 4 images
-- *F* Carikli (Sandals) Church - 7 images
-- *F* Tokali (Buckle) Church - 12 images

*F* The Byzantine Period (397 - 1071)
http://www.cappadociaonline.com/byzantine.html

*F* More Cappadocia 
http://www.turkishodyssey.com/places/anatolia/ana2.htm#CAPPADOCIA

Instanbul (Constantinople)

Ikon http://www.celtoslavica.de/imago/ikon.html . Nice presentation with high quality images. See the mosaic of the Enthroned Mother of God (Mother of God Kyriotissa), shown to the right. It can be found in the links named 'Sophia'.

*F* *M* ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE :
The Byzantine Monuments: Hagia Sophia
http://www.patriarchate.org/ecumenical_patriarchate/chapter_4/html/hagia_sophia.html

*M* ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE OF CONSTANTINOPLE :
Byzantine Monuments: the Monastery of the Holy Saviour in Chora http://www.patriarchate.org/ecumenical_patriarchate/chapter_4/html/chora.html

*F* Kariye Museum: 14th-Century fresco of Christ
http://www.tylersterritory.com/travel/europe/turkey/istanbul/chora-02.html

*F* *M* Images of Turkey - MEANDER IMAGE BANK
http://www.imagesturkey.com/
http://www.imagesturkey.com/search.asp?ara=mosaic
- Images of the house of the Holy Virgin Mary, Ephesus
http://www.imagesturkey.com/search.asp?ara=virgin+mary
- Frescoes, Tokali Church, Goreme Museum, Goreme
http://www.imagesturkey.com/search.asp?ara=fresco
- Mosaics, Chora Monastery, Istanbul
http://www.imagesturkey.com/search.asp?ara=mosaic

*F* *M* ST. SAVIOUR OF CHORA CHURCH, CONSTANTINOPLE, 14th century (Paul Halsall, Fordham, New York City's Jesuit University): A series of 'close-ups'
- Dome Mosaic - Christ central http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/chora3.gif
- Dome Mosaic - close up of Christ http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/chora4.gif
- Dome Mosaic - Virgin Mary central: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/chora5.gif
- Mosaic: Christ Pantokrator http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/chora6.gif
- Mosiac: Christ Pantokrator - close up http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/chora7.gif
- Fresco: Virgin Mary Praying http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/kariyemary.gif
- Fresco: the Virgin implores Christ http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/chora8.gif
- Mosaic: Virgin and Child http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ikon/chora9.gif

*F* *M* Saint Saviour in Chora (Kariye) (Guide Martine)
http://www.guide-martine.com/istanbul_3.asp Superb site!

*F* Joseph and Mary at the Census - Fresco in the Saviour of Chora Church, Constantinople
http://selwynstours.freeservers.com/CensusCH.html

Mother of God Hodegetria, Virgin with Christ Child on a foot stool, a relief made out of ivory. Constantinople 950 A.D. Can be seen in the Museum Catharijneconvent, Utrecht, The Netherlands http://www.catharijneconvent.nl/Permanent_Collection_E_F.htm

*M* Mosaics http://www.lincoln.smmusd.org/staff/Hart_Web/history/mosaics.htm -- 4 images

Restoring Byzantium http://www.learn.columbia.edu/byzantium/ (Columbia University, NY). Click ENTER, then go to the links section at the bottom of the page. All images are beautiful and of very high quality.
- Images -- 6 images http://www.learn.columbia.edu/byzantium/html/building_images.html
- Iconography -- Quick time panoramas http://www.learn.columbia.edu/byzantium/html/building_icon.html

Links Menu

- Works of Art -- 6 images http://www.learn.columbia.edu/byzantium/html/exhibition_works.html
- Restorations ==> very interesting, and the restored works are superb !
-- Raising of the daughter of Jairus http://www.learn.columbia.edu/byzantium/images/jairus_cropped_large4.jpg
-- Virgin Eleousa on foot http://www.learn.columbia.edu/byzantium/images/eleousa_cropped_large3.jpg
-- Saint George http://www.learn.columbia.edu/byzantium/images/george_cropped_large3.jpg

*M* Monastery of the Holy Savior in Chora, Istanbul (Efendi's photos) *New!*
http://flickr.com/photos/efendi/73585130/in/set-549969/ various slideshows - hundreds of photos.
Slideshow example http://flickr.com/photos/efendi/sets/549969/show/ ==> 33 mosaics

*M* Here is the same source as above but a little more in detail.
- Efendi's photos, Istanbul http://flickr.com/photos/efendi *New!*
Efendi's photos, Page 1,
-- The Monastery of the Holy Savior in Chora, Istanbul http://flickr.com/photos/efendi/sets/549969/
Efendi's photos, Page 3. http://flickr.com/photos/efendi/page3/ click images at bottom of screen
-- The Monastery of the Holy Savior in Chora, Istanbul 2 http://flickr.com/photos/efendi/83462001/
-- The Monastery of the Holy Savior in Chora, Istanbul 3 http://flickr.com/photos/efendi/83461436/
-- The Monastery of the Holy Savior in Chora, Istanbul 4 http://flickr.com/photos/efendi/83460837/
Continue to Efendi's photos, Page 4, 5... 82 ?
==> I did not have time today to see all pages, there is a lot to see ! You can also use the tags you see on some pages.
==> Note: there are also Syriac images (Orthodox images from Syria)

*M* Byzantine Mosaics, Photo Gallery: St. Savior in Chora (Kariye Müsezi). By Sacred Destinations, Mary and Dick Osseman. This Byzantine church, now a museum, contains one of the best collections of Byzantine mosaics in Turkey http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-kariye-chora-pictures/index.htm *New!*
==> 50 mosaics. This site, also mentioned in the Frescoes and Mosaics Chapter, has excellent photos, some of them the best of what I have seen.

ICONS, FRESCOES AND MOSAICS

Maps of :  Lebanon  Syria  Israel  Israel2  Sinai  Jordan

About Arab icons http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/640/cu2.htm

Links Menu

LEBANON

Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut : http://www.quartos.org.lb/ Click on Orthodox Christianity (on the left), then on Icons (about mid-screen) ==> 20 - 30 icons

The Theotokos Hodigitria and The Lord's Epiphany of Kaftoun http://www.ortmtlb.org.lb/theotokos.htm
- The Theotokos Hodigitria http://www.ortmtlb.org.lb/images/kaftoun.jpg
- The Lord's Epiphany http://www.ortmtlb.org.lb/images/kaftoun2.jpg

Welcome to Saint-Georges (Greek) Orthodox Cathedral, the oldest Cathedral in Beirut : http://www.stgeorgebeirut.org/treasures/splendor.htm
-- 4 icons

Links Menu

- Door of the iconostasis
http://www.stgeorgebeirut.org/gif/subpages/treasures/iconostasis.jpg
- Virgin Mary Hodegetria, before 1766 http://www.stgeorgebeirut.org/gif/subpages/treasures/maryb.jpg
- Christ Pantocrator, before 1766 http://www.stgeorgebeirut.org/gif/subpages/treasures/christb.jpg
- St. Catherine, before 1783 http://www.stgeorgebeirut.org/gif/subpages/treasures/spic5b.jpg

University of Balamand http://www.balamand.edu.lb/ ?

SYRIA

Our Lady of Balamand - History & Heritage - ICONS by Dr. Mahmoud Zibawi http://www.balamandmonastery.org.lb/icons.htm . The icons shown here could be of either Lebanese or Syrian origin, but it's one or the other.
-- 13 icons

Our Lady of Soufanieh See image to the left
- The Miracle Of Damascus [Our Lady Of Soufanieh] - APPROVED by Catholic and Orthodox Bishops http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/694702/posts

Links Menu

Syriac Orthodox Resources (Catholic University of America)
-- 6 icons http://sor.cua.edu/
Margoneetho: Syriac Orthodox Resources "In Syriac, Margoneetho means 'a pearl'. Syriac Christian literature depicts the pearl variously, as a symbol of our Lord, faith and the human soul. Like an exquisite pearl hidden in an oyster, the spiritual heritage of the Syriac Orthodox Church, one of the most ancient Christian churches, remains obscure to much of the world today. The Margoneetho: Syriac Orthodox Resources web site attempts to illuminate this rich and ancient heritage. SOR is not an "official" web Site of the Syriac Orthodox Church, but receives encouragement and support from its hierarchy."

Links Menu

-- 11 Ancient icons believed to be Syrian
http://www.st-mary-mons.org/english/alboum.htm

An Exhibition of Syrian Icons
http://www.syria-online.com/culture/cult_artc/icon.html -- 4 icons

Exhibition of Syrian Icons in the Museum of Damascus http://www.geocities.com/samirkhayata/exhibition.htm
--2 icons + many more available with the purchase of a CD.

Syrian icon of St. George killing the dragon
http://www.geocities.com/samirkhayata/images/archive1.jpg

Syriac Icons http://www.bethsuryoyo.com/Code/Gallery/SyriacIcons.html
==> 20 icons *New!*

Links Menu

http://www.thehtm.org/images/a-50.jpg
For more on St Ephraim (St Ephrem) see :
Saint Ephrem the Syrian Library http://www.tserkovnost.org/stephrem/

Here is a beautiful Cretan icon of the Dormition of St Ephraim the Syrian
http://www.iconsexplained.com/iec/tns/syria_dormition_ephrem.jpg (see thumbnail at the beginning of this section on the Middle East)

Christ Pantocrator, Syria (?) http://www.saintirene.org/eikon/pant1.jpg

The Convent of Our Lady of Saidnaya, considered one of the most famous convents in the Middle East, contains one of the most important and famous icons in the Christian world attributed to being painted by St. Luke. The icon's name seems to be 'Our Lady of Sardenaye'. An image of it has yet to be identified. (A QUICK GLANCE OF SYRIA [ http://www.nawafir-tours.com/general.htm ] .)
-- Monastery of Our Lady of Saidnaya http://saidnayanet.com/en/saidnaya.htm
-- Syria: Where the Apostle Paul walked ?
-- Welcome to Saidnaya's web site http://saidnayanet.com/en/saidnaya.htm

Icons Aleppan School http://www.stgeorgesyria.org/heritage.htm
-- 6 icons >> some very interesting

Easter icons from a 13th c. Syriac Bible, Al-Za'faran Monastery - Turkey
http://cavemanart.com/osroene/icons.htm
-- Feet Washing http://cavemanart.com/osroene/images/Washing.jpg
-- Crucifixion http://cavemanart.com/osroene/images/Cricification.jpg
-- Resurrection http://cavemanart.com/osroene/images/Reserection.jpg
-- Ascension http://cavemanart.com/osroene/images/~Ascension.jpg

St. George Syrian Orthodox Church, Cheppaud
http://groups.msn.com/StGeorgeSyrianOrthodoxChurchCheppaud/pictures
Click on Syriac Icons ==> 7 icons

Syrian Icons (Sameer Khayata) http://www.geocities.com/samirkhayata/ *New!*

The Syrian Icon - by Ayman Bitar http://www.byzantart.com/syria_en.htm *New!*
      Exceptional and Astounding Beauty! A Brief History of Syrian Iconography, and a Gallery of Post Byzantine Icons, put together by Ayman Bitar. The Syrian Icon - A Gallery of 18th century icons http://www.byzantart.com/syria_pic_en.htm ==> 17 icons.
      Born in 1963, and himself a byzantine iconographer, his website and (contemporary) icons can soon be found in the Iconographers' Index-Imagebase as well.
http://www.IconsExplained.com/iec/iec_idb4c_@one_page.htm#ayman_bitar

Maps of Israel :  Israel  Israel2 (includes History)

ISRAEL

History and Geography. *New!*
Click the 2nd link above, then scroll down to see a detailed map of Israel and a one-page summary of modern history of Israel and Palestine. On that page another link is provided with a more detailed History of Israel and Palestine from ancient times to today.

Holy Places (OrthodoxPhotos.com)
http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/Holy_Land/index.shtml

Israel Yesterday and Today http://www.rc.net/wcc/israel/contisrl.htm


SINAI, EGYPT
18 June 2006 : Most links are good (left a link to State Hermitage Museum intact, even though it did not work today, but did yesterday).

Early Icons from the St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai: 6th through 8th centuries (BELMONT UNIVERSITY, HONORS PROGRAM, Nashville, Tennessee, USA) http://campus.belmont.edu/honors/SinaiIcons/SinaiIcons.html -- 14 icons, all encaustic, very good site Monastery of St.Catherine. Located in the Sinai at the foot of Mount Moses, St. Catherine's Monastery houses some of the world's most ancient and best preserved icons. The link of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, N.Y., that follows will take you around on a superb virtual visit http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/byzantium_III/monastery.html

Virgin and Child with Ss Theodor and George Sinai, 6th century

A lily in the wilderness. St Catherine's monastery in the Sinai, one of the most important centres of Orthodox monasticism, celebrated 17 centuries of uninterrupted asceticism last month. By Iason Athanasiadis. http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/567/tr3.htm

Links Menu

Monastery of St. Catherine > more links :  
-- Sixth century art (Dr. Rozmeri Basic)
http://www.ou.edu/class/ahi4263/byzhtml/ch02.html > click pp. 4 and 10
-- http://www.geographia.com/egypt/sinai/stcatherine.html
-- http://webserver1.oneonta.edu/faculty/farberas/ARTH/ARTH212/icons.html
-- http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/Israel_Holy_Land/Sinai/index.shtml

The Transfiguration St. Catherine Monastery Sinai, Egypt *F*

The Art of the St. Catherine Monastery
http://www.interknowledge.com/egypt/sinai/monasteryart.htm
==> 4 icons, 2 frescoes *F*

"SINAI, BYZANTIUM, RUSSIA" EXHIBITION : an exhibition of Orthodox art of the 6th-20th centuries presented by The State Hermitage Museum jointly with Monastery of St. Catherine on Sinai and St. Catherine Foundation (London)
[ http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/04/hm4_4a.html ]. With this previous link out of order, you can try using this link http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/ by entering "SINAI, BYZANTIUM, RUSSIA" EXHIBITION in the search box. This may lead you to the desired result. Here is what it led to on 13 December 2004:
- St.Catherine with diring scenes. Late 12th - early 13th century
http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/04/b2003/hm4_4a_0.html
- Archangel Michael from Deesis. 13th century
http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/04/b2003/hm4_4a_1.html
- Saints Sergius and Bacos. 13th century
http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/04/b2003/hm4_4a_2.html
- The basilika of the 6th century in the Mount Sinai
http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/04/b2003/hm4_4a_3.html

The Icons of St. Catherine's Monastery In Egypt's Sinai - John Watson
http://touregypt.net/featurestories/catherines2a.htm ==> 49 splendid icons !

Links Menu

Fondation Pierre Gianadda http://www.gianadda.ch/
Treasures of the Saint Catherine Monastery, Sinai. To see the images, click on
Expositions, Expositions antérieurs, then scroll down to "Les Trésors du Monastère Sainte Catherine".

Maps of Jordan :  Jordan1  Jordan2 (interactive)  Jordan3

JORDAN      *New!*

Several events mentioned in the Old and New Testament took place on what presently is Jordan territory. For example, Jesus was baptised close to present day Amman (Capital of Jordan), and Moses saw the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, in the Amman area as well. More recently quite a few mosaics were discovered, most of them floor mosaics.
      Two places in Jordan are of particular interest : Madaba and Petra. Madaba lies just south of Amman, while Petra is situated south of Amman also, but further down, about 2 / 3 down the way from Amman to Aqaba. Click the Jordan map links above to locate these places.

Madaba
Madaba is approximately 50% Christian (Greek Orthodox). However, much of the traveller and pilgrim infrastructure is run by the Franciscans. Madaba is know as "the City of Mosaics", because it harbours an enormous floor mosaic which is a map of Jerusalem and part of the Holy Land. The links that follow provide further details
- The Pal Guide, your Guide in Jordan http://www.palguide.com/jordan/madaba.htm
- Madaba's 6th-century Byzantine mosaic map showing the entire region from Jordan and Palestine
  in the north, to Egypt in the south http://www.atlastours.net/jordan/madaba.html
- Madaba's 6th century mosaic http://www.sadeen.com/orase/madaba.htm

Links Menu

MORE MADABA LINKS
- Holy Land Resources http://www.holylandalternatives.net/jordan.html
- The Mosaics of the Madaba Plateau of Jordan http://www.jordanjubilee.com/history/mosaics.htm
- City of Mosaics http://www.visitjordan.com/default.aspx?tabid=189

Petra

Considered by many as the most famous attraction in Jordan is the Nabatean city of Petra, which means "stone" in Greek. Petra was the capital of the Nabateans : Arabs who dominated the lands of Jordan during pre-Roman times. The Nabateans carved temples, tombs and elaborate buildings out of solid rock. Click links to see :
- http://www.palguide.com/jordan/petra.htm
- http://www.sadeen.com/orase/petra.htm
- http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/asia/petra.shtml

MORE PETRA LINKS
- Photo Gallery http://www.jordanjubilee.com/gallery.htm
- The Pal Guide, your Guide in Jordan http://www.palguide.com/jordan/petra.htm
- Petra, Jordan http://www.atlastours.net/jordan/petra.html

Links Menu

Maps of Ethiopia :  1  2

ICONS, FRESCOES

Ethiopian icons were virtually unknown. It is likely that the work of iconographer D.C. Christopher Gosey [ http://www.mindspring.com/~holyimages/ ] has helped them gain exposure and attention.

Ethiopia's Religions http://www.imperialethiopia.org/religions.htm
The majority of Ethiopian believers are Christian, with a large Muslim minority. There are still a few small Felasha Jewish communities in Ethiopia, as well. Animists are rare in Ethiopia today... Good Overview.

Here are some pictures of Ethiopia by Galen Frysinger http://www.galenfrysinger.com/ethiopia.htm

Ethiopian Icons http://www.nmafa.si.edu/exhibits/icons/faith-glossary.html. Click Ethiopian Icons in upper left hand corner, then click Curator or Conservator ==> 12 icons combined

Ethiopian Icons Through the Centuries by Dr. Mahmoud Zibawi
http://www29.homepage.villanova.edu/christopher.haas/ethiopian-icons.htm -- 25 icons

Ethiopian Icons http://www.thefolkartgallery.com/icons.htm

Ethiopian, 17th century icon depicting Christ having the crown of thorns pinned to his head - detail of a double sided icon http://www.iconastas.co.uk/stock.asp?code=453054608

Ethiopia - The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Icons
-- http://www.prairienet.org/~dxmoges/icons.htm

Ethiopian icon (tempera on linen-covered wood) from around 1700. Click image to enlarge. (Source: "Art of Ethiopia" by Holland Cotter, NYTimes.)

-- http://www.tewahedo.ch/iconsE.htm
-- http://www.kidusmichael.org/html/icon.html

Art of Ethiopia - Article by Holland Cotter *New!*
Click link to the right to enlarge image.
Click link below to read the article.
http://www.IconsExplained.com/iec/lib3/03314_ethiopia_nytimes.htm
Re-Printed with permission.
Courtesy / Copyright © The New York Times.

Links Menu