Thessaloniki, Andalusia and the Golden Horde

Abstract

During the 14th century Thessaloniki experienced its artistic and intellectual Golden Age. It is to this period that a number of important religious
foundations have been credited to. Amongst these is the the Vlattadon Monastery, attributed by Xyngopoulos to the second quarter of the 14th century
and by Theocharidis to the third quarter of the 14th. Recent restoration work
has revealed a more complex history, where at least two building phases can
be discerned. A late 14th century building period and an earlier one, while
the dendrochronological investigations in the church’s timber showed that
the earliest wood dates from 1304. Decorating the southern facade of the church of this monastic establishment are three fragmentary ceramic bowls, attributed by Xyngopoulos to 13th century Iran. The purpose of this article is to re-examine the origin of these “bacini” and establish their date. This examination might further elucidate the date of the monument but also permit us to understand the role of Thessaloniki as a commercial and intellectual center during the turbulent 14th century, that saw the weakening of the Byzantine Empire and the revival of Orthodoxy.