Church of Agios Petros in Glezos

At Pyrgos Dirou, at one of the most well-known locations of Mani, over the Glezos settlement, is the church of Agios Petros (St Peter).

The church dates from the beginning of the 11th century and belongs to the type of free cross with a dome.

In the first half of the 13th century the upper part of the church was repaired, while the bell tower which stands on its western side is constructed at a later dateυ.

Its walls on their lower part are built with stones and marble rocks, while on the upper part the usual cloisonné system of masonry is used.

At the interior of the church there are fragmentsof wall paintings, which belong to two different periods of time. The older ones date from the middle of the 13th century.

Among them of particular interest is the scene of the Descent to Hades, where around the figure of Christ instead of glory there are fiery stripes that wave, something that is considered a western influence. The second stratum dates from the Post Byzantine period.

The present day screen is a built one and sculptures from the initial one, which was made of marble, are incorporated to it.