The construction of The St. Sophia Cathedral was
started by the Latin Archbishop Eustorge de Montaigu
in 1208. The cathedral is noted as being the largest
and the finest temple, and the most important Gothic
structure in Cyprus. It is said to have been
constructed over a Byzantine church called Hagia
Sophia on the same site.. It was consecrated in 1326
and opened to religious service.
As it was the most important church of Cyprus the
coronation ceremonies of the Lusignan kings were
held here. The cathedral was restored by the Genoese
in 1373, and by the Mamluks in 1426; it was damaged
in several earthquakes. The eastern section of the
cathedral was destroyed in earthquakes in 1491 and
as it was being restored by the Venetians, the grave
of an old Lusignan king (Hugh II) was uncovered.
The corpse was well preserved with a crown on its
head, and items made of gold and documents on it.
The cathedral was constructed by French architects
and craftsmen and it is a beautiful example of
medieval French architecture. The cathedral has a
monumental
entrance. The carved windows above the
entrance are examples of unequalled Gothic art. The
Ottomans have built minarets over the two unfinished
belfries on either side of the entrance. The inside
of the cathedral comprises three aisles, six side
sections and little chapels.
The chapel to the North was dedicated to St.
Nicholas, the ones to the south to virgin Mary and
St. Thomas Aquinas. The part of the mosque reserved
for women used to be the treasury. Many Lusignan
nobilities and kings are buried inside the
cathedral. The inscriptions and drawings on these
have been well preserved since they are covered with
rush mats, and people are not allowed in with their
shoes on. The marble grave stones of these graves
still constitute part of the floor tiles.
The construction of The St. Sophia Cathedral was
started by the Latin Archbishop Eustorge de Montaigu
in 1208. The cathedral is noted as being the largest
and the finest temple, and the most important Gothic
structure in Cyprus. It is said to have been
constructed over a Byzantine church called Hagia
Sophia on the same site.. It was consecrated in 1326
and opened to religious service. 
coronation ceremonies of the Lusignan kings were
held here. The cathedral was restored by the Genoese
in 1373, and by the Mamluks in 1426; it was damaged
in several earthquakes. The eastern section of the
cathedral was destroyed in earthquakes in 1491 and
as it was being restored by the Venetians, the grave
of an old Lusignan king (Hugh II) was uncovered.
entrance. The carved windows above the
entrance are examples of unequalled Gothic art. The
Ottomans have built minarets over the two unfinished
belfries on either side of the entrance. The inside
of the cathedral comprises three aisles, six side
sections and little chapels. 
reserved
for women used to be the treasury. Many Lusignan
nobilities and kings are buried inside the
cathedral. The inscriptions and drawings on these
have been well preserved since they are covered with
rush mats, and people are not allowed in with their
shoes on. The marble grave stones of these graves
still constitute part of the floor tiles. 