Mystras: Pantanassa: Overall view, imaged from lantern slide

It is situated on a terrace immediately below the Upper Town, has a superb view to the east and is the best-preserved and most picturesque of all the churches at Mystras. It was built and decorated ca. 1430 by Ioannis Frangopoulos, who held an office equivalent to that of prime minister in the despotate. His identity is revealed in the form of six painted monograms on the west fa\u00E7ade of the church. The building imitates the design of the Hodegetria, comprising a three-aisled basilica on the ground floor surmounted by a cross-in-square church with five domes. Its exterior is decorated with small columns, Gothic arches, garlands and rinceau ornament.