---

Modern Description: Velvento is built in the fertile valley of Aliakmon between the mountains of Vermio,Kamvounia and Pieria, under the taller top of Pieria, the Flabouro, in the western roots of the mountains, in an altitude 450m. It's 33Km far away from Kozani in southly west castle of Servia is located.In different places round the current settlement are full of archaeological sites from the prehistoric and particularly the Roman and first Byzantine years are found near Velvento (''Paliochora'', 6 Km south-westernly, ''Gratsiani'' in a small distance from previous , ''Bravas'',''Paparachi'',''Vasilara Rachi'' e.t.c.).

The tombs of late roman and early-Byzantine period which were found in the site named ''Kato Bravas'', the bath of the early-Byzantine period which was excavated under the Byzantine church of St.Minas, many architectural remnants and coins confirm the development of Velvento in the certain period.

The fortified sites of Palaikastro - where the east part of a church was found - and of Palaiogratsano - where many marble and mosaic fragments were revealed - are located near Velvento. The area in identified as Velvento in the codex of Zaborda (16th -17th c.) and in a manuscript of Saint Triadas monastery in 1551. The historical sources in Byzantine period mention the name rarely.During the Turkish conquest, Velvento was particularly developed, maintained the independence of its properties, enjoyed privileges and became an administrative center since 1774 (before belonged to Servia). Education flourished in the beginning of 17th c. and especially in 18th c., when a community school was founded in 1773, which was held since 1913/4.

Nowadays, in Velvento many churches are preserved in the center and in the area, which are covered with important wall paintings dated from the 12th to 19th century. Also, a collection of portable icons and other precious objects belongs to Velvento and it's going to be exhibited in a traditional building.
Many churches in the center and in the area of Velvento which are covered with frescoes dated from the 12th to 19th c. are open to visitors. In the entrance of Velvento, the church of St.Minas is located and is covered with frescoes which are painted in the 13th and 15th c. Next to it, the post-Byzantine church of St.Nikolaos was built. An important gilded temple in relief with floral ornaments dated in 1591 is preserved in it, while the wall paintings were depicted in 1588. In the center of Velvento, the church of the Dormition of the Virgin was built in 1804 and decorated the same period with frescoes which have western and rather provincial influences. The wooden temple in relief made in 1804-1807 is impressive.

In the site of Gratsiani, the three-aisled basilica of St.Dimitrius was built probably in the 15th c. Exterior wall paintings from the same period are preserved in bad condition, while those of the sanctuary were painted in the 16th -17th c. Thwe important gilded temple in relief was made in the 16th century but it also preserves parts from another made in the 14th -15th c.

In the site of Palaikastro, two aisleless basilica of St.George and St.Nikolaos are located with fragments of frescoes which were painted in the end of 15th or in the beginning of 16th c. In distance of 8Km from Velvento, the monastery of St.Triada is located.The Katholicon is an aisleless basilica with narthex and was built in 17th c. The cells and the other buildings of the monadtery must be built in 15th c. and are mentioned in a manuscript of 1551.

In the site of Palaiogratsano, the aisleless basilica of St.Paraskevi preserves wapp paintings in the sanctuary dated in the 14th -15th c., a fine example of the anticlassic motion of the local workshops of Macedonia.
Wikidata ID: Q38281755
Trismegistos Geo: 15945

Info: Odysseus

(Odysseus, Greek Ministry of Culture)

---