The Baptistery at Kepos in Melos

In April 1913, while at Melos, I took the opportunity of visiting the two churches of Kepos on the south side of the island at the South-eastern extremity of Mount Elias. The northern of these churches has in recent years been restored, and an account of it with a plan, has been published by Messrs. Fletcher and Kitson in the Annual of 1895–6. This plan, however, was made before the church was restored and before the collapse of the dome which made that restoration necessary. There are therefore certain points which need revision in view of the present condition of the church, and there are others which require an altogether more detailed treatment. The restoration has been carried out comparatively well. The main structure has been retained without serious alteration, but the paintings which were inside the dome are no longer in position and at present lie on the floor of the church in fourteen fragments. In the apse of the church is a cruciform font built up of slabs set on edge, of which separate plans are given in the article referred to above. The plans there given, however, do not correspond in all details with the font; these details can be seen from the plan and section given here (Figs. 1, 2), made from measurements which I took on the spot. Messrs. Fletcher and Kitson say that ‘on three sides are seats, on the fourth towards the door of the church, are two steps down, and in the middle a well 2 ft. square.’

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