#messenia

The closer you look, the more you see... The apocalyptic frescoes in the Church of Saint Nicholas in the village Kastánia or Kastanéa of Mani, Greece. The art dates from the late Byzantine period, mid to late 15th century, while the church itself dates from the 13th - 14th centuries. 

Some notable details:  the Devil and the Whore of Babylon in the first picture, the Theríon (the Beast of Revelation) in the third one and the very intriguing breastplate? / chiton? of Archangel Michael in the fourth one.

It’s interesting how it was considered a big deal that Gorgophone married twice, and that before her time it was customary for women to remain unmarried after their husband’s death, it isn’t really explained why this custom exist but in real world cultures it’s either bc it’s disrespectful to the deceased husband and his family or bc men don’t want to marry women who aren’t virgin and have children.

Villa Messenia, Crete, Greece,

Block 722,