It was a short 30 min drive from St Hillarion to Bellapais Abbey.
After the fall of Jerusalem many religious orders relocated to Cyprus. This is where a lot of the gothic heritage of the island originates from leaving a rich architectural heritage which people admire to this day.
Unlike St Hillarion which was mostly in ruins more of Bellapais Abbey survives. There is a church with its chandaliers and icon wall.
Most of what remains are its iconic arches around its square garden and cloisters.
The ruins are a photographers dream and there are plenty of angles remains to marvel at in its gothic design.
A great hall still survives where musical performances are held. There are also what were dormitories in the rear.
There was a great hall and the upper level living quarters collapsed in an earthquake.
There is also an upper terrace to admire more of the site. I got a pomegranate juice for 2 Eu which was nice but not really an energy jolt as sugar cane juice was that I had in Cuba.
At the end of the tour on our return to Nicosia University Anna offered to drive three of us back to the centre in her car.
Both of today's tours were organized by Anna Marangou thru http://www.historiccyprus.com/en/
2025-05-23