Paliovouna or Klokova - Palaeomonastiro - 2015

Paliovouna or Klokova - Palaeomonastiro (Χ.Θ. 9+250 to 9+350).

Olympia Vikatou and Aikaterini Hamilaki (Ephorate of Antiquities of Aitolia-Acarnania and Lefkada) report that the excavations in Palaeomonastiro of Klokova between 2014 and 2015 brought to light one of the most important Middle Byzantine Monastery complexes (Fig. 1).

The central gate, the cells and the dorms for visitors were located on the S side. Other structures dating to later periods, such as staircases and a kiln, were located on the N side of the complex. The main church was divided in three aisles and had a dome supported by pillars decorated with wall paintings (Fig. 2). Fragments of the epistyle and the stylobate of the marble winged altarpiece were preserved (Fig. 3). Tesserae which were decorating the floor were also unearthed in the entirety of the main church.

An earlier single-nave church was also discovered below the floor underlay, while a crypt was also present underneath the katholikon. Two building phases were identified, with the narthex belonging to the second one. Fragments of wall paintings were also found in the katholikon (Fig. 4). Four disturbed cist graves were identified at the S side of the church, whilst a large cistern was also found near the katholikon. During the excavation pot sherds from vessels for daily use were collected along with green, brown or incised glazed pottery and unpainted pottery dating to the Middle Byzantine and the beginning of the Late Byzantine period (11^th-13^th c. AD) (Fig. 5). Marble architectural remains with characteristic decorations of mainland Greece derived from the katholikon, where coins and small finds were unearthed too.

During the excavation works, a spiral cobbled path (Fig. 6 and 7) which seems to have been used from antiquity until the beginning of the last century, was found at the S slope of Paliovouna as well.

[Entry created by C. Koureta]