‘Lavra’ (church over subterranean hermit monks cells). Located NW of Apsithiotissa monastery complex. An ancient ruin, possibly built at the time of the first construction of the main church and subsequently abandoned. Laid out in an E-W direction, it consists of a single nave with the remains of a narthex (West) and an apse (East). The floor is raised on four small transverse barrel vaulted chambers sunk into the ground below floor level. The vaults are executed in coarse rubble and mortar set over layers of ashlar coursing. The arches of the vaults are in dressed limestone ashlar. On the peak of the vaults and set into the floor are regular rectangular openings, of which only the opening of the vault in the narthex is still intact, the rest are ruined. The floor is overlaid with levelled rough rubble and mortar. The original floor level can be seen on the north side of the narthex. Writing is discernible on the walls of the first vaulted chamber. Older apse foundations extrude from the perimeter of the standing ruins, indicating an older construction on the site. The use of the church was to provide coverage and a place for visitors praying for the hermit monks who would have occupied the subterranean chambers. A smooth step is visible indicating the location of the south door. |
