Sofia Katopi-Bio

I received my PhD in Art History and Archaeology at the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Crete in 2016 (marked excellent), its title being «The Venetian Loggia of Candia: the history of the building from the time of its construction to the 20th century», having as my supervisor Dr. Olga Gratziou. My research interests concern the material imprint on the urban fabric of power relations within the Venetian maritime empire and the use of the all’antica architectural style in these relations. In addition to that, I investigate the changing attitudes toward Venetian monuments in Crete during the 20th century. At the moment I am preparing the publication of my doctoral thesis.

Since 2005 I have collaborated with the Institute for Mediterranean Studies of the Foundation for Research and Technology, participating in the Project “Western Art in Crete during the Venetian period”. During 2007 I collaborated with the programme: «Byzantine Heritage Network: Rehabilitation, highlighting and management in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin» undertaken by the Institute for Mediterranean Studies. In the years 2010, 2015, 2017 I inventoried the old and the new acquisitions of the art collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete. Also, since 2002 I have been involved with art history educational programs at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete. I have also taught art history at the Adult Education Centre and the Institute for Professional Training in Rethymno.