View of the Karakallou monastery

Photographer

Horlbeck, Frank R.

Date

• June 22, 1979

Summary

• View of the Karakallou monastery. Karakallou was officially recognized as a monastery in the early 11th century (based on the Acts of the Protos – Abbot – Nikephoros in 1018). However, its name draws on the traditional but unsubstantiated early founding by the Roman Emperor Karakalla in the 3rd century. The monastery suffered numerous pirate raids due to its close proximity to the east coast of the Athonite peninsula. In the thirteenth century, it was completely destroyed by Latins soon after the Sack of Constantinople (1204). It was later rebuilt with the help of Emperors Andronicus II and John V Palaiologos. But it was destroyed again by pirates about two centuries later. The monastery was again rebuilt in the 16th century with the help of Peter, the ruler of Moldavia. Many buildings, such as the church (1548-1563) and the projecting tower were built at this time. The south side and part of the east side of the monastery burned down in 1875. The refectory and the guest-house in that part of the monastery were rebuilt again. Due to these disasters, many buildings contain parts from various centuries.