In Mystras, the capital of the Despotate of the Morea and once a politically, economically, and culturally flourishing city, today the only active ancient organization is the Monastery of Pantanassa. This monastery was one of the last great Byzantine creations before the fall of Constantinople and Mystras.

Although few parts of the original complex's buildings remain in their original condition, while others have completely been destroyed, the monastery's katholikon has been preserved to this day, albeit with several repairs and restoration interventions, and contains a large portion of the original Byzantine frescoes.

However, the katholikon of the monastery derives its importance not only from the Byzantine frescoes. The very architecture of the church constitutes a distinctive and unique artistic achievement that characterizes the historical period of its creation, a time of great political upheaval and efforts to approach the Eastern Empire with Western Europe.

At the same time, Pantanassa marks the end of the efforts of the Palaiologan period for a cultural renewal with a creation of high architectural expression, the result of thorough planning, in which the works of great painters of its time are integrated. Thus, it highlights the dynamism of artistic creation in the last years of Byzantium, but also, with the final attempt to reform its architectural elements, the broader considerations for the further evolution of art in a new world that had begun to emerge.

This book thoroughly analyzes the history, structure, and evolution of architectural creation, as well as its particular technical and artistic characteristics.