The Nea Ekklesia: Basil I's Forgotten Masterpiece

Long before Hagia Sophia became a mosque, another great church rose in Constantinople: the Nea Ekklesia, or 'New Church,' built by Emperor Basil I in the 9th century. This episode explores the architectural and political ambition behind the Nea, its lavish decoration, its role in the Macedonian Renaissance, and its eventual destruction. We discuss how it served as a model for later Byzantine and Ottoman domed buildings, why it was called 'the Second Nea' by contemporaries, and what its loss means for our understanding of Middle Byzantine art. Lucas and Luna also touch on the legacy of Basil I, the Photian Schism, and the church's connection to the Great Palace. Perfect for listeners who want to go beyond the usual landmarks and discover a vanished wonder of medieval Christendom.

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