Along the Byzantine paths in Staiti
A majestic work dedicated to the Byzantine culture
The Lyriks cultural association developed the project promoted by the Municipality of Staiti with the valuable support of the Ente Parco d’Aspromonte.
Under development since the summer of 2018, in a short time it has managed to attract the attention of the many tourists of the Ionian band of the Reggio Calabria area. Starting from the concept of recovery and enhancement of the ancient village, this urban redevelopment through art and history is based on an itinerary marked by 18 terracotta bas-reliefs made by the Violi Art Studio.
The bas-reliefs of the Byzantine churches path
Created out of three years of work by the sculptors Francesco and Fortunato Violi, the bas-reliefs lead visitors to discover the most significant sites of the millenary Byzantine culture of the province of Reggio. The iconographic apparatus, complete with multilingual information panels, culminates in the majestic bas-relief, 3 metres by 3, which leads one to visit the Abbey of Santa Maria de ‘Tridetti, a masterpiece of the 9th century Byzantine religious architecture.
Below are the stops included in the itinerary, accompanied by a brief description. It is advisable to follow the path in the order shown here to appreciate the project: :
1. Chiesa di S. Maria dei Tridetti a Staiti - Dimensions 300x300 cm
Against the background of the church, the imperial encampment of Federico II: large pavilions, armed knights, women, banners, priests, and people.
2. Chiesa di S. Maria di Grecia a Gallicianò - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the church, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew II blesses the crowd.
3. Chiesa protopapale di San Paolo dei Greci a Reggio - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the church, a gathering of people celebrating Easter.
4. Chiesa di Sant’Antonio il Grande a Reggio - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the church, the fair of Saint Antonio, established by Federico II: stalls, jugglers, streets artists, monks, exotic people, customers anywhere in between the sacred and the profane, in the midst of a medieval context of the 13th century.
5. Monastero imperiale dei Santi Elia e Filarete a Seminara - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the monastery, scenes that depict agricultural products before a banquet of monks, next to Byzantine guard soldiers.
6. Grotta di S. Elia lo Speleota a Melicuccà - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the cave, the hieratic figure of Sant’Elia in meditation.
7. Chiesa di San Giovanello di Gerace - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the church, the celebration of a Byzantine-era wedding.
8. Cattedrale di Gerace - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the cathedral, a scene depicting the transport of columns and stones, looted from archaeological sites.
9. Monastero di Sant’Elia a Galatro - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the monastery, the Byzantine monks discover the sulphur springs and use them.
10. Chiesa Cattolica di Stilo - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the Cattolica, a great religious celebration (agiasmòs), in the presence of the Great Count Roger I.
11. Abbazia di S. Giovanni Vecchio a Stilo - Dimensioni 120x140 cm
Against the background of the abbey, a procession of Benedictine monks, escorted by Angevin knights, in the presence of their baron.
12. Monastero di S. Giovanni Theristìs a Bivongi - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the monastery, the figure of an orthodox monk (Father Kosmàs) who preaches to a crowd of contemporary people.
13. Chiesa di S. Maria della Roccelletta a Borgia - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the ruins of the Basilica, workers and artisans at work to build the church, in the presence of Roger II.
14. Chiesa di S. Filomena a S. Severina - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the church, the strategist of Calabria arrives, followed by his staff.
15. Chiesa della Panaghìa a Rossano - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the church, an open procession led by a priest holding an icon of the Panaghìa.
16. Chiesa di S. Marco a Rossano - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the church, a scene depicting a struggle between people and soldiers during the Byzantine period.
17. Abbazia di S. Maria del Patìr a Rossano - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the Abbey, San Bartolomeo di Simeri urges a crowd of common people and Norman nobles.
18. Chiesa di S. Adriano a S. Demetrio Corone - Dimensions 120x140 cm
Against the background of the church, a chapter of monks welcomes the Norman feudatory.
