THE BELLAPAIS MONASTERY
 Its name today derives from the French "Abbaye de
la paix", which means "The Peace Monastery".
The monastery, one of the unparalleled samples of
Gothic Art, is situated on the flanks of the
Five-finger (Kyrenia) Mountains The first settlers
of the monastery are the priests of the Augustinian
order who had migrated from Jerusalem. The first
monastery building was constructed between
1198-1205.
Most sections of the building which can
be seen today was built by the French King Hugh III
between 1267-1284. The pavilions around the
courtyard and the refectory were constructed during
the reign of King Hugh IV (1324-1359). After Cyprus
was conquered by the Ottomans, the monastery was
given to the Greek Orthodox Church. The church next
to the courtyard is the part which is in the best
condition.
The Italian frescoes on the front walls
were made in the 15th century. The two marble tombs
in the courtyard were used as washbasins by the
priests for some time. On the door behind the tombs
the insignia of the Jerusalem, Lusignan, and Cyprus
Kingdoms are fixed. The refectory of the monastery
is also an example of unequalled Gothic Art.
The
rooms to the east of the courtyard in the middle,
belonged to the priests. The column in the middle of
the council chamber is thought to have belonged to
the early Byzantine Church. The dormitories of the
priests and the chamber of accounts are on the upper
floor.
To get to the village of Bellapais , follow the road
eastwards of Kyrenia that branches at the crossroads
on the outskirts of town and at the next crossroads
drive straight. Take the road signposted for Ozanköy
and Beylerbeyi (Bellapais) village .
You will pass
through the Altinakaya holiday complex and further
on, the road branches to the right with Ozanköy (The
village of the poets) straight ahead. The road to
Bellapais is lined with impressive villas on both
sides, all grandiose in its style. You will spot
modern holiday homes sharply contrasting to old
Cypriot houses that were left after 1974.
Before
entering the village itself you come across an army
camp entrance to the right and the road climbs to
the mountain to the southern slopes of the Besparmak
range. On the road to the village in the passage on
the left there is a small white Orthodox church, now
converted to the village mosque. Parking is rather
difficult, but there is a small space 70 m past the
abbey building down to the left with a huge carob
tree.
|
