Hosios Loukas Monastery: a “living heritage” site and its cultural components

The present study deals with one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine art and architecture, the monastery of Hosios Loukas, which is on the western slope of mount Helikonas, in Voiotia. The main object of this research was to study the cultural components of this site, because it is the most important monument of the Middle Byzantine period in Greece and it has a rich historical, religious and cultural background. The main topic I examine is the financial impact of the monument on the local community and how managing a religious site can contribute to the continuing vitality of the religion itself, as well as culture, tradition and local economy. Moreover, it is interesting to investigate how the public perceives monastic and religious culture and what kind of strategies should be followed, so as to enhance the public awareness for religious monuments in order to improve the local economy. For these reasons, a questionnaire was designed which was conducted in January...Show moreThe present study deals with one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine art and architecture, the monastery of Hosios Loukas, which is on the western slope of mount Helikonas, in Voiotia. The main object of this research was to study the cultural components of this site, because it is the most important monument of the Middle Byzantine period in Greece and it has a rich historical, religious and cultural background. The main topic I examine is the financial impact of the monument on the local community and how managing a religious site can contribute to the continuing vitality of the religion itself, as well as culture, tradition and local economy. Moreover, it is interesting to investigate how the public perceives monastic and religious culture and what kind of strategies should be followed, so as to enhance the public awareness for religious monuments in order to improve the local economy. For these reasons, a questionnaire was designed which was conducted in January 2015 at the entrance of Hosios Loukas monastery in Steiri (Voiotia, Greece) and handed out to visitors to the monastery. Furthermore, through an interview with one of the monastery’s representatives, I gathered information for my research. Unfortunately, there is no a similar survey in order to compare my data with, but I hope that my paper will be useful for further studies in the future and will be used as comparative material. The monks intend to create a museum with the monastery’s manuscripts and relics, which will be under their own authority. This could be of great importance for the monastery’s sustainability. It is necessary to emphasize the site’s management for its financial support, but for the local community’s support as well. Cultural and educational activities in the Monastery could be effective to this purpose.Show less

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Hosios Loukas Monastery: a “living heritage” site and its cultural components