Church of Panagia Krina

The Church of Panagia “Krena” lies in the rural area of the Vavyli settlement in central Chios. It is one of the island’s most important monuments and a key work of Byzantine architecture in general. It follows the octagonal type, with the main church and an inner narthex. Two arcosolia on the north and south sides of the inner narthex indicate the funerary use of that part of the church. It is characterized by the natural polychromy of its building materials, strong chiaroscuro, alternating courses of stone and brick using the “hidden brick” technique, high blind arcades, curved pediments, marble architectural members, and rich ceramic decoration with elements typical of the so-called “Constantinople School.” Founders of the original 12th-century church were Eustathios Kodratos and his wife Eirene Doukaina Pagomeni, members of the local elite.