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Kyrenia
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Bellapais Monastery |
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Nestled in the delightful village of Bellapais,
high in the Five Finger Moutains, is the Bellapais Abbey. The
name Bellapais is said to derive from the French “Abbaye de la
paix” meaning ‘Monastery of Peace’.
The Bellapais Abbey was originally established by Augustinian
monks arriving from Jerusalem, who began constructing the first
buildings here in 1198. Much of what we can see today was built
by the Lusignans, including the magnificent Gothic refectory and
cloisters. Although the Monastery subsequently enjoyed a rise to
prominence as an important religious relic, its treasury was
plundered when the Genovese invaded in 1373, marking a rapid
decline in the monastery’s fortunes. Following the Ottoman
conquest of Cyprus, the building was given to the Greek Orthodox
Church who built the 13th Century Abbey which you can see today.
These monks are said to have integrated into village life and
that some families who live there today are part of that
ancestry, but the building later fell into disrepair and the
grounds were used for animal grazing. However, it has undergone
an extensive series of repairs since the 1960s, restoring it to
days reminiscent of its former glory.
The Bellapais Abbey is extremely atmospheric and you will enjoy
exploring the ruins, great Gothic arches and soaring stone
walls. Enter the gateway and discover the Abbey Church, old
cellars and kitchens with the crypt below and cloisters where
four huge cypress trees tower high above, creating a glorious
and arresting tableau. Wander amongst the ruins into the
refectory, a grand hall where the original pulpit still remains.
The six enormous windows offer a glorious view across the
rolling hills and shoreline below. |
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