ΧΑΪΔΑΡΙ ΧΑΪΔΑΡΙ - ΣΥΝΑΝΤΗΣΗ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ | Page 149

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The northwest section of the Daphni Monastery catholicon after the exonarthex restoration
(Deltion tis Christianikis Archaeologikis Etaireias, 1962-1963, pl. 4, fig. 3).
the 12th century, in the form of an open portico with an
upper floor, the abbot’s residence and library. It preserves
traces of 12th and 13th century paintings, while the church
has post-Byzantine paintings (17th century).
The enclosure wall. The monastery was protected
by a strong square defensive wall (about 97x97 m). It
was 8 m high, with an internal passageway 1.6 m wide,
supported by a blind barrel vaulted corridor. It had
battlements and four square towers, three of which
survive today. The wall was built with conglomerate
blocks 1.6 m x 0.4-0.6 m and occasional brick layers.
The main entrance was on the middle of the west side,
protected by a tower and side bastions. A second
smaller gate, a rare phenomenon for monasteries, was
on the east side, and is today used for public access.
Convents were miniature castle-towns and the wall was
an essential feature, as they were frequently located in
isolation, or because they wanted to be kept apart from
outside temptations. The fortification of Daphni, close but
outside Athens, served both purposes.
Monastic cells. Monk cels were usually situated on
the inside of the enclosure wall, in order to economize
space and strengthen the wall. They were two and
sometimes four-storied complexes, opening to porticos
and accommodating the beds and a few niches for the
books, clothes and other personal items of the monks.
Daphni had cells on the north and west sides. The west
complex was not attached but left a narrow corridor
before the wall. A third, south, complex with an internal
courtyard was built by the Cistercians and then repaired
by the Orthodox monks.
Refectory and cooking area. The simple monastic
meal was one of the most important moments in the