PERILLA, Francesco
Little is known about the life of Francesco Perilla except that he was Italian, born in 1874, and that he spent several years in Athens. Around 1930 he published there books based mainly on his paintings of various places in Greece (Mystras, the Cyclades, Chios, the Peloponnese, Pelion, Mount Athos, Athens, Attica, etc.). All his works are illustrated with images in numerous techniques, photographs, sketches, pastels, etc. Thanks to the spontaneity of his amateur snapshots, the innovative aesthetics and modernist notions of beauty, Perilla’s depictions of historical monuments are consistent with the artistic trends of the time.
The present edition is illustrated with wood engravings and reproductions of watercolours. In his introduction the author dedicates the book to G. Horemis, L. Kalvocoressis and N. Paspatis. From the bibliography cited, it is evident that Perilla consulted the most important books by travellers and scholars of Greece, from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. (P. Belon, A. Thevet, N. de Nicolay, J. Thevenot, O. Dapper, J. Pitton de Tournefort, M.G.F.A. Choiseul-Gouffier, R. Chandler, F.R. de Chateaubriand, V. Hugo, P.L. Lacroix, H.F. Tozer, G. Deschamps, H. Pernot, C. Diehl and others).
Throughout the book, Perilla presents an overview of the most important historical moments of the island, as well as its legends, traditions, tragic events and natural beauties. His itinerary, as recorded in the text, took him to most of the villages and sights on Chios (Chora, Cambos, Pyrgi, Sklavia, Mesta, Amades, Anavatos, Cardamyla, Nea Moni.)
Written by Ioli Vingopoulou
PERILLA, Francesco - Aegean islands - Aegean sea islands
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The site of the house of Alexandros Mavrokordatos, in Chora of Chios.
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Chapel of Agios Zacharias, belonging ro the Chrysovelonis, family in Talaros, Chios.
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The farm of Vafeiadis familly (former Kalvokoressis-Halvas), Chios.
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The Harrowing of Hell: mosaic from the catholicon of Nea Moni Monastery, Chios.
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Mosaic from the narthex of the catholicon of Nea Moni monastery in Chios.
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View of Miaoulis square at Hermoupolis. On the left, the town hall.
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Port of Tinos. In the background, the Church of the Panagia of Tinos.
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The procession of August 15th (Dormition of the Virgin), Tinos.
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The castle of Oria, or Katakefalo or Vryokastro, Kythnos island.
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The gate of the temple of Apollo (Portara) at the Chora of Naxos.
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The church of Panagia Drosiani at the valley of Drymalia, Naxos.
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The castle known as Apano Kastro (or Tragaion castle, or Koutsocheradou castle, or Potamia castle.)
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The old baptristry of the church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani, Paros.
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Church of Panagia or Xylopanagia at the vilage of Xylopanagia, Serifos.
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Early Christian catacombs near the village of Trypiti, Milos.
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View of Kimolos. In the distance, the church of Panagia Hodegetria.
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Dounavi square with its distinctive wells, at the Chora of Folegandros.
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View of the Chora of Ios. In the background, the church of Panagia Gremiotissa.
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The church of Agia Irini at the entrance to the port of Ios.
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Landscape at Fira. In the background, the islet of Nea Kameni.
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The bell tower of the church of Zoodochos Pigi at Megalochori, Santorini.
PERILLA, Francesco - Rest Images
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The church of Agioi Theodoroi in Brontochion Monastery. Remains of the women's gallery.
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Map of Mystras from “Monuments byzantins de Mistra”, by G.Millet.
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Map of the Peloponnese, Attica and Boeotia showing the locations visited by Francesco Perilla.
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The church of Agioi Theodoroi in Brontochion Monastery, Mystras.
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Wall of the church of Panagia Hodegetria (Afentiko) in Brontochion monastery, Mystras.
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Interior of Agioi Theodoroi Church in Brontochion monastery, Mystras.
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The courtyard of the Metropolis of Mystras, with the church of Agios Dimitrios (metropolis)
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Remains of Lefktron or Beaufort castle, situated between Stoupa and Lefktro in Mani.
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View of cape Tigani with the remains of the castle of Grand Magne.
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View of the settlement of Kastro in Porto Kagio, with the medieval walls.
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View of cape Tigani with the remains of the castle of Grand Magne.
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Cemetery in the courtyard of the monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin in Limeni, Mani.
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The temple of Hera in the sanctuary of Zeus in ancient Olympia.
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The surviving part of the gothic church of Saint Sophia in Andravida.
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The fountain of Oedipus in Thebes (fountain of Agioi Theodoroi).
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Interior of the church of the Dormition of the Virgin in the monastery of Skripou.