The Church of Panagia Paraportiani in Mykonos is probably the most photographed church in Greece. This church is in fact an amalgamation of five churches into one. Built in the 16th century, the four churches that combine with the main church are Agios Sozontas, Agioi Anargyroi, Agia Anastasia, and Agios Efstathios. This amalgamated church is also known as "Our Lady of the Postern Gate" in traditional Byzantine style.
It is so named after the word "porta" which means door, as it used to stand at the entrance to an old medieval castle which no longer exists. With a natural rock-like look and the organic form, it is every photographer's dream to shoot the light and shadow of this multifaceted subject.
It is so named after the word "porta" which means door, as it used to stand at the entrance to an old medieval castle which no longer exists. With a natural rock-like look and the organic form, it is every photographer's dream to shoot the light and shadow of this multifaceted subject.
The front of the church connecting to the two-level churches behind.
An overview of the church front.
Left-side elevation of the church.
The church is overlooking the sea.
The play of light and shadow. This is the same composition as the one above, but under different direction of lighting.
A closer look at the light and shadow areas. Although the subject is in a single white colour, the side-lighting brings out the forms of the subject.
The same composition as the above shot, but opposite direction of light. So, the light and shadow ares are reversed.
This is the back facade of the church.
Just a customary self-environmental portrait. Well, I guess it gives you the sense of scale.
Changing the angle of view.
Again, a demonstration on changing of direction of lighting.
A closer look at the subject under back-side lighting.
An even closer look at the church under front-side lighting.
The same composition as the shot above but now under back-side lighting.
I just couldn't put down my camera. So this is a closer look at the dome under very slight back-lighting.
The right-side elevation of the church.
I have seen the holy light.
Shining through darkness.
Do you get what I mean earlier by the "most photographed church" in Greece? I already have my share of it. I hope that you can make it there yourself one of these days to look at the wondrous architecture of this church.
If you would like to read more of my travelogues on Greece, here are the links:-
1. Athens – The Homeland of the Gods
2. The White Dream in Mykonos
3. Santorini – Almost Heaven
- Roaming Around the Streets of Fira
- Gazing at the Sea in Fira
- The Southern Crosses in Fira
- The Golden Hour at Fira
- Fira Sunset and After Dark
- Strolling the Streets in Oia
- The Cliffs and the Sea in Oia
- The Domes and the Bells in Oia
- The Barriers in Oia
- The Sunset at Oia
- The Volcano at Nea Kameni
- The Black-sand Beach of Kamari
- Ancient Thira
4. Miscellaneous
