The location of the abbey on the  northern slopes of the Kyrenia  Hills is marvellous.  Below are almond and olive groves on the coastal plain with Kyrenia in miniature to the west.

Augustinian canons  founded the abbey at the end of the 12^th century , its importance lasting for some 300 years.

Substantial parts  collapsed long ago .  the cloister is half ruined, flamboyant tracery hangs down from the pointed arches.

On the north side is the refectory, where the vault appears to spring lightly from the supporting capitals. An exquisite pulpit is reached by an intricate stair ingeniously constructed in the thickness of the wall . the 13^th century church is generally locked, but the custodian may open it on request.

In 1995 forest fires swept through the Kyrenian Hills, advancing rapidly on Beylerbeyi  (Bellapais).

It was only good fortune and the skill of the fire fighters that prevented the destruction of  Beylerbeyi   in July 1995.

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The original plan of the town was laid out by the Lusignans,  but when the Venetians took over in 1489 they completely renovated the enclosing walls. They lowered the walls but increased the  thickness. Any tour of the fortifications should take into account the great heat of summer and the low parapets everywhere.

The Citadel , also known as Othello’s Tower , should be visited Four great cylindrical towers guard the comes of the Citadel. The carving over the entrance  is an impressive winged lion of St Mark. The great hall is a massive vaulted chamber.

Going clockwise, the Sea Gate and bastion, now a museum. Muskets and swords are displayd next to period dresses finished with fine embroidery.

Three bastions on the south wall lead to the Land Gate, the main entrance to the town.  It is part of the Ravelin.

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Pafos distric, is the westernmost city of Cyprus

According to tradition,Nea Pafos (Kato Pafos), was founded by the Trojan War hero Agapenor in 1184 B.C. Archaeological excavations have , to date, not unearthed anything prior than the 4^th Century B.C., and for this reason it has been formulated that Pafos(Paphos) was actually founded by Nicocles King of Pafos.

During the Hellenistic period (332-58 B.C.). Pafos was the main naval and military base of the Ptolemies and experienced great financial growth.

During the Roman period (58 B.C.-330 A.D.). Pafos (Paphos) knew even more glorious days, becoming capital of the whole of Cyprus and receiving the honorary titles of “Claudia”, “Flavia” and others. In 15 A.D., the tawn was razed by and earthquake and the then Emperor of Rome, Octavian August, rebuilt it. In 45 A.D., the Apostles Paul and Barnabas preached Christianity in Pafos. Sergius Paulus was the first Romangovernor to convert to Christianity, and so Pafos became the first Roman province with a Chiristian governor. However, this did not prevent the persecution of the Chiristians of Pafos by the Romans. The catacombs of Ayia Solomoni, at the enterance to the city, are testimony to these persecutions. The earthquakes of 332 and 342 A.D. once again razed the city, and it was not rebuilt. It remained neglected and small in size, and was ravaged during the Saracen raids of Cyprus.

During the Byzantine era (330-1192 A.D.), especially towards the end of the period, Pafos began to regain its significance of old. During the Frankish rule (1192-1489 A.D.), the settlement was moved further north because of the unhygienic climate and was renamed “Ktims”. It is during the Frankish rule that the Pafos fort was built, only to be ruined later by the Venetians and rebuilt by the Ottoman in 1586.

The      Population of Paphos  in 1891 was 2,800; in 1946 it rose to 5,800, reaching 20,800 in 1982.

The development of tourism in Pafos (Paphos) took place during the last few years. Pafos is superior to other cities and tourist locales in Cyprus due to its cultural background and its natural environment. Pafos possesses a beautiful and picturesque scenery, exquisite beaches, archaeological and historical treasures, small and hospitable villages which retain the traditional architecture and folklore. Its excellent for visitors from the European Union, Russia and Eastern Europe. The mean temperature of Pafos during January is 13.2 c, while in August it rises to 26.7c. the highest temperature recorded during the month of August is 33.5 c.

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You’ve Let Birthplace Of Christianly Go To Ruin

Controversial cleric Archbishop Chrysostomos has blamed the Greek Cypriots for the failure to keep the birthplace of Christianity on the island well maintained.

He crossed the border to see firsthand the state of Apostolos Andreas Monastery, on the tip of the Karpaz peninsula, on Monday.

It was the first time a leader of the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church had visited North Cyprus since July 20,1974

And Archbishop Chrysostomos, right, normally a bitter critic of Turkey and the TRNC  , was diplomatic in the extreme, talking of his desire to meet TRNC Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu  and also to meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he visits Ankara next month.

While he said the main purpose of his trip was to press forward with the scheme to renovate and restore the historic monastery, Archbishop Chrysostomos changed his tune from heaping all the blame on Turkey and TRNC.

He said that “certainquarters in the South” were also responsible for the delays that have brought the monastery to the verge of collapse.

While a current restoration scheme is ready to start within weeks, previous initiatives to save the building have fallen through.

“it was through our own fault that Apostolos Andreas has not been maintained to this day,” he said.” I used to tell them , `look, the monastery must be maintained because in the end it will cave in.` So my conscience is easy, as I have done my duty to the fullest. “God willing, very soon we shall see the start of restoration work, something that is in the interests both of Turkey, as being a democratic country, and of the Turkish Cypriots in that they will show they have great love for these monuments.”

He added that Cyprus was “ a small state that is on friendly terms with Turkey, the European Union and Middle East because our region desires peace and we must all work to this goal”.

Archbishop Chrysostomos had written a letter to Mr Erdogan calling for work to begin as soon as possible . Mr Erdogan replied, saying he would do what he could.

It is the refusal of stallholders to move that is holding up the start of restoration work, agreed by both Cypriot leaders.

President Mehmet Ali Talat has personally gone to speak to the stallholders on several occasions recently.

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The Buyuk Han

The Buyuk Han (Great Inn) is a wonderful example of a medieval caravanserai which was built in 1572. Situated in the old quarter of Nicosia(Lefkosa-Lefkosia), it is frequented by tourists who have the opportunity to see a selection of hand made crafts and cultural items which are on display there.

The Han is unusual, as it actually has two entrances. It was built by the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus, Muzaffer Pasha. It is said that there is a large resemblance to the Han which is in Bursa,Turkey.

The Han has two floors, where the lower rooms were shops and storage rooms and areas to stable the visitors’horses. On the upper floor were the lodging areas of 68 rooms, often frequented by rich merchants. Each room had a fireplace and chimney.

The Han resembles a fortress on the outside,and in the days when Cyprus was a British Colony, the Buyuk Han was used as Nicosia Central Prison. You can see the rain spouts on the outside which are carved from stone,

The Buyuk Han has a huge courtyard with an Ottoman Mesjit with a fountain which was used for ablutions nearby in the centre. The Han was renovated in its original style and was opened to visitors in 2002.

There are cafes located around the sides of the lower floors where anything from a Turkish coffe to a three course meal is available . in one corner of the Buyuk Han is a small cafe which sells traditional puddings, the speciality being `sulu muhallebi`.

If you venture upstairs from one of the stone stairways , you will find an array of art galleries and craft shops. There are lace shawls and delicate handicrasfts on display,often with the women who make these items working on similar pieces. Another traditional handicraft which you can admire are the silk cocoon pictures.

At some of the handicraft shop you may even be able to try your hand at producing some of the pieces. There are many unusual and interesting Turkish Cypriot crafts on offer, and if you are visiting the island on holiday you will have an opportunity to take back some original souvenirs which can be found nowhere else.

From time to time , there are live music concerts at the Buyuk Han , particularly on Saturdays, Jazz concerts and classical music are often held at the Han. In addition, you may be lucky enough to witness a traditional wedding ceremony or folk dance shows.

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