One of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Cyprus

Bellapais Abbey is a 13th-century monastery ruin located in the village of Bellapais, about five kilometers from Kyrenia, Cyprus. Situated at an altitude of 220 meters above sea level, the site provides breathtaking views of Kyrenia and the Mediterranean Sea. Today, the abbey serves as a museum and features a restaurant and café, while its refectory is used for concerts, lectures, and an annual music festival in early summer.

Historically, the site may have been called Episcopia or Piscopia, suggesting it once served as a residence for the Bishop of Kyrenia and a refuge from Arab raids during the 7th and 8th centuries. The first known occupants were the Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre, who had fled Jerusalem following its fall to Saladin in 1187. They had previously been custodians of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The monastery was founded by Aimery de Lusignan, with initial construction dating between 1198 and 1205. It was originally consecrated as the Abbey of St. Mary of the Mountain. In 1206, the Premonstratensian Order, also known as the White Canons, took over, leading to the abbey being referred to as the “White Abbey” in later centuries. The modern name, Bellapais, is believed to have evolved from the French “Abbaye de la Paix” (“Abbey of Peace”), which was later Italianized and reinterpreted as “Bella Paese” (“Beautiful Land”).

The abbey complex consists of a church, cloister, and surrounding monastic buildings. Unlike in Britain, where monastic living quarters were usually built on the southern side of the church to shield them from cold northern winds, Bellapais Abbey’s quarters are on the north side, likely to provide cooler conditions in the Mediterranean climate.

The abbey’s main entrance is through a fortified gate on the southern side, featuring a tower added later and a forecourt. This replaced an earlier drawbridge. The best-preserved part of the abbey is its 13th-century church, which has Italian murals possibly dating to the 15th century. The church features a flat roof, a belfry with one surviving bell, a nave with two side aisles, a choir, and a sacristy. Notable decorations include an ornate pulpit, a bishop’s throne, and five chandeliers. It is believed that several Lusignan kings may be buried beneath the church’s floor.

The cloister, with 18 arches, surrounds the monastic buildings. Two Roman sarcophagi under one of the arches once served as lavabos (washing basins) for the canons. A door behind the sarcophagi leads to the refectory, the most impressive room in the abbey. This Gothic-style hall has six large windows offering views of the countryside and sea, a pulpit for scripture readings, and a rose window on the eastern wall. Adjacent to the refectory are the kitchen, cellar, and possibly the former lavatories.

On the eastern side of the cloister is the chapter house, the administrative center of the abbey, alongside the undercroft, which housed workrooms. The chapter house features intricate Gothic stone carvings depicting religious and mythical scenes. The canons’ living quarters were situated on an upper floor above these rooms.

Bellapais Abbey remains a remarkable example of medieval architecture and a significant historical site, attracting visitors for its history, architecture, and scenic beauty.