Anatolian Civilizations and Historical Sites - TEDA

ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS:10x19 antik kentler 8/1/11 10:52 AM Sayfa
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significant change in Byzantine art, during which religious pictures
were banned and destroyed. The monasteries were closed, while
monks and nuns were forced to adopt a civil life. During the Middle
Byzantine Period, which lasted from 842-when this period came to an
end-until 1204, Byzantine art re-attained its bright period. The last
period of this art starts in 1261-when Mikhail Palailogos VIII ended
the Latin dominion-and continued until 1453. During this period,
after a short-lived revival, Byzantine art entered into a period of
recession starting from the mid-14 th century.
In small lands such as the state of Trabzon, which was split from
Byzantium, or the despotates of Mora and Epiros, art schools that
bore the Byzantine identity essentially-but at the same time had their
peculiar local characteristics-emerged and developed. Anatolia,
which stood out as a continuous center of art from the old times,
influenced Byzantine art as well. For example, the two architects of
Hagia Sophia-which is an important place in Byzantine art-were both
Anatolian.
One of the important centers of Byzantine art in Turkey is ‹znik,
which once served as the capital of the state. The ramparts survived
to the present time. Hagia Sophia in ‹znik-which was later turned into
a mosque-lies in ruins today, nevertheless it has retained its
architectural integrity. Furthermore, it is possible to see some other
church remnants here.
Trabzon, which was the capital of the Komnenoses, is another
important center of Byzantine art. We encounter a mixed art here,
which is due to several factors. The natural cave at the Sumela
Monastery, which stands as attached to the slope of a mountain, and
the church in front of it belong to the Byzantine Age. The other
structures were added at different times. The existence of such
monasteries in this region is common knowledge.
Ephesos (Efes) in Western Anatolia has considerably precious
Byzantine works or art. Here, the church constructed in the name of
Mother Mary-who replaced the antique goddess Artemis-and Saint
John Church commissioned to be built by Justinian (527-565) are
among the most magnificent churches. Another antique city where
Byzantine art is seen is Aphrodisias. An episcopacy palace was
uncovered here, one of the Roman basilicas was transformed into a