Bellapais Monastery, Kyrenia

The Bellapais Monastery in Kyrenia was built between 1158 and 1205. It is one of the most important places and monuments of gothic architectural style in Cyprus with its dominating view and beautiful mountain scenery that can dominate all of the northern beaches. There is also a hall in the monastery, which is used today as a concert hall, which was showered with bullets during the war years and there are still bullet marks today. The monastery, which was built on a cliff at the foot of the Beşparmak mountains, is now called "Abbaye de la Paix" (Monastery of Peace) in Fran. The monastery is known as a masterpiece of Gothic art and the most beautiful example in the Near East. Bellapais' first inhabitants are known to be the Augustinian sect priests who emigrated to Qibis when Saladin ayyubi captured Kudus in 1187. the construction of the first monastery building (1198-1205) was built between the years 1198 and 1205. Most of the structure that survives today was built by King Charles III of France. Hugh (1267 -1284) built it. The revelations that surround the courtyard in the middle of the monastery and the dining hall were the hall of King George IV. It was built during the reign of Hugh (1324 - 1359). After the island fell into Ottoman hands, the building was given to the Greek Orthodox Church. Bellapais Monastery starts with a door and forecourt. The tower of the door was built later. The church at the other end of this courtyard is the best surviving part of the monastery, and is the 13th largest church. It's from the 19th century. The italian-style frescoes on the front of the façade were later seen in the 15th century. It was built in the 19th century. In the middle of the monastery there is a courtyard with a portico around it. Two marble sarcophagi from the Roman period, standing on top of each other in a corner, once served as sinks for priests. Through the door behind the sarcophagi, you go to the mess hall. On the marble upper part of the gate hangs the coat spought by the arches of the Kingdoms of Cyprus, Jerusalem and Lüzinyan. The dining hall, which is a large, rectangular vaulted hall, is considered a perfect example of Gothic art. During the day, the six large and eastern walls on the seaside are lit through the rose window. The podium, which is used to preach to priests while they eat, is still in place. The door on the west wall opens to the staircase leading to the kitchen, cellar and toilets on the lower floor. To the east of the central courtyard are the places reserved for priests and the assembly room. The administration of the monastery was conducted from the assembly room. Among the successful reliefs of Gothic stonework, the man carrying a ladder on his back, a man between two mermaids, a woman reading a book, a man attacked by two wild animals, a woman with a rosary, a cat on her branches and a Figures like a man shielded under the pear tree, a monkey, and a priest in a cloak. The column in the middle of the assembly room is thought to have come from an early Byzantine church. The monks' dormitories were located on the upper floor of the study rooms. There was also a small treasure room on the top floor and in the northwest corner.

A beautiful Orthodox monastery and Gothic architecture, built with the help of the Crusaders, place of pilgrimage until the 13th century, with a superb view of Kyrenia, the Mediterranean Sea and after the locals up to Antalya, 70 kms beyond the sea.