SAINT  PAUL’S (PAVLOS) VISIT TO CYPRUS

    Saint  Paul, who was the promoter of Christianity and ensured the spread of this religion, twice visited Cyprus. The first place he stepped foot at, and gave a sermon to the public in Cyprus was in the city of Salamis. Various western documentaries have been made on the theme of “ St.Paul’s Footprints”. The city square in which Paul Addressed the public is still standing. Is  it not time to call upon the Christian world and say ,”You should also tread upon the stones Paul walked on and breathe the same air”?

ST.HILARION CASTLE:

    There is a cell in which one of the important philosophers of the Christian world who was also a saint, St.Hilarion lived and died in, and a chapel belonging to the 11^th century at the castle. With respect to successful faith tourism we should also bring the religious characteristics of this very popular cultural heritage to the fore

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OUR COUNTRY IS A FAITH TOURISM PARADISE

It cannot be said that was have seriously dealt with faith tourism in Northern  Cyprus in respect to it being a field of special interest. In this context, the cultural heritage of Northern Cyprus is a very rich country… this  is a fact known by everyone…   for some of us, this situation makes  us seriously  think, “How could all this  richness fit into such a narrow are?”. ..  but in fact , the answer to this question is simple: Northern Cyprus is very close to the cradle of civilisations, Anatolia and the Middle East and purely because  of this fortune, it has been a spellbinding and attractive hub where many cultures have sheltered and passed through throughout history.

Hidden at the heart of this very rich cultural heritage, which turns our country  into an open air museum, is the potential for our country to shake the world within  the context of faith tourism.  We cannot  say that we have  adequately  brought this potential  to the light of day and  united and introduced  it  to the world. Plainly,  this is one of our most  significant misfortunes . the world has practically turned  a blind  eye to our disadvantaged  country , which is a state that has been practically blessed  by God with respect to faith tourism. The tourism sector will explode, the day  we manage to take advantage of this blessing and opportunity and it will be a true locomotive in the seizing of our development, recognition and prosperity. The tracks, on which this locomotive will ride upon, will pass through stations, each of which will be magnificent temples of faith tourism. This is why we must no longer delay the laying of these tracks, which will bring these magical faith tourism stations to the surface. If you wish, let’s take a brief look at the historical pleaces we own, which are considered to be very holy with respect to Christianlty: 

1-      APOSTOLOS ANDREAS MONASTERY:

This is a renowned corner of our country which Andreas, who was one of the Apostles of the Prophet Jesus, founded , blessed and first stepped foot on. It is the exact spot, according to legend, where Andreas struck the ground with his sceptre, holy water gushed out and where this monastery is built on. Miracles relating to this monastery, located in the Karpaz peninsula have been recorded in literature. So much so that this place attracts the attention of intense crowds other than those that are Chiristian and seen as a place of votive offering

2-      St.BARNABAS  MONASTERY

This place holds an underground tomb of one of the Prophet Jesus’12 Apostles Barnabas , in which he is buried. It is still open to visitors today. Documents have been published relating to the remains of the saint being transferred to Istanbul. St.Barnabas is the only saint that Jesus  was with whose grave is truly known. The graves of the other saints who were with the Prophet Jesus are unknown. If we could only call upon the Christian  World saying “You can touch the grave of Saint Barnabas”,  we could attract large crowds of visitors with the echoes of this voice

SAINT  PAUL’S (PAVLOS) VISIT TO CYPRUS

    Saint  Paul, who was the promoter of Christianity and ensured the spread of this religion, twice visited Cyprus. The first place he stepped foot at, and gave a sermon to the public in Cyprus was in the city of Salamis. Various western documentaries have been made on the theme of “ St.Paul’s Footprints”. The city square in which Paul Addressed the public is still standing. Is  it not time to call upon the Christian world and say ,”You should also tread upon the stones Paul walked on and breathe the same air”?

ST.HILARION CASTLE:

    There is a cell in which one of the important philosophers of the Christian world who was also a saint, St.Hilarion lived and died in, and a chapel belonging to the 11^th century at the castle. With respect to successful faith tourism we should also bring the religious characteristics of this very popular cultural heritage to the fore.

5-ST. MAMAS CHURCH:

    The grave in a church of one of healing saints, Saint Mamas is located in Guzelyurt(Mourfu). St. Mamas is a saint accepted as much by the Catholic Church as it is by the Orthodox.

It is believed that the oil taken from his grave cures the deaf, but does this saint, posses any less quality than that of Saint  Bernadette of Lourdes of the French and Fatima of the Portuguese?

Apart from what i have specified, the list of hundreds of very important Gothic churches, monasteries and sacred water fountains in our country are far too many to mention. These are all at the heart of our beautiful country. For examples which Middle Eastern country possesses Catholic cathedrals such as Selmiye , Haydarpasha and Lala Mustafa Pasha and  Monasteries such as Bellapais? Which has the gothic churches that we have within the walled city of Magusa (Famagusta)?

Naturally,it is not the Chiritian world that has been neglected in such a promotional campaign. Today ,we have still not been able to open  the Margo Farm Tomb and it is synagogue to Jewish visitors. There is no impediment in preventing us in converting the synagogue into a small museum and opening it to Jewish tourists. The world has not been adequately informed of the hundreds of valuable icons, religious frescoes and mosaics we possess. The place sacred to the Orthodox, Anfifonitis, Kanakaria and Panagia Theotokos Churches are also in our country. It cannot be said that we have been able to carry out the necessary propaganda regarding these. It sould be possible for us to allure the Orthodox Russians, Ukrainians and Bulgarians who constitute a large tourism potential in the world, to our country in droves because of our historical corners,

It is certain that the last temple in which the Hospitaller  and Templar Knights, who were recently made renowned againe “Da Vinci Code”, carried out a secret ceremony in a place known as the “Twin Churches” in Magusa (Famagusta). It cannot be said that we have been able to benefit  from these regarding tourism.  While the world revelled in this film and novel, we should have swept into action and introduced the world to our village Zeytinlik(Templos), which takes it is name from the Templar Knights, and where mystical stones belonging to them are found.

Headed by Ay Marina Churche, there are also places that Maronites hold sacred in our country. It is worth remembering that the richest people in Lebanon, which is in our immediate vicinity, are the Maronites.

Than what’s to say of the Armenian Sourp Magar Monastery which was restored with personal donations made by Sultan Abdulmecit?

Some of the most important monasteries built in various countries in the name of the “Church fathers”, who are considered holy in the Christian world, are again found in our country. One of the most important of these is the Saint John Chrysostom Monastery in Gungor(Koutsoventis). The importance of this monastery is no less than the similar monasteries in South Cyprus which are flooded by  tourists each year. How many Muslim tourists have we been able to tell until today , that one of the most entrusted holy relics of the Islamic World, the holy bread (Sakal-i- Serif) of the most respected and important person, the Prophet Muhammed, is for for example found in our country in the Arapahmet Mousque in  Lefkosa(Nicosia) .  We should encourage Muslims to see this temple and they holy relic.

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AKAMAS /BATHS OF APHRODITE

(NATURA AND MYTH)

The Akamas Peninsula on the north western part of Cyprus is a unique area, both geologically and physiographically  and with regard to flora and fauna.

Almost all the geological formations of Cyprus can be found here , resulting in a real geological mosaic. For this reason, the Akamas Peninsula is endowed with a unique biodiversity habitats  and ecosystems.

The uniqueness of the Akamas is due not only to the indisputable charm of the  natural landscape, but also to it is cultural and mythological  wealth. The area is strewn with romantic spots, most of which are connected with Aphrodite  Goddess of love and beauty, known in antiquity-according to Homer –as Kypris, Pafia or Anadyomeni(born of the waves) as legend has it that she emerged out of the sea of Pafos. The Goddess of Love used to take her bath in a cool pond near Polis. The area is known as the “Baths of Aphrodite” and  provides a magnificent view of the Bay of Polis. According to legend, after swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Bay, Aphrodite used to bathe in this pend, surrounded by the idyllic landscape with the sweet smelling wild flowers. It is here that she met her beloved Adonis for the first time. Adonis was hunting in the Akamas  forest when he stoped over the wonderful spring to quench his thirst. He was struck by the sight of the naked goddess bathing in the crystal waters. Aphrodite and Adonis were instantly bewitched by each other’s extraordinary beauty. The myth lived on through the Middle Ages. Another legendary spot is “Pyrgos(castle)tis Rigainas” which is linked to the love of Rigaina and Digenis, (the Medieval queen of Cyprus and the Byzantine hero), as well as with Aphrodite. The “castle” which is actually a monastery, now in ruins, is in the centre of the Akamas in a majestic clearing, with a giant oak  tree and a bubbling spring . according to the old legend, the goddess of Love used the place as a refuge after her bath.

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PLACES OF INTEREST CYPRUS MUSEUM
Priceless and fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic 5800BC to the early Byzantine Periods. Also Cypriot pottery terracotta, clay and stone sculptures, bronze and jewellery.

THE LEVENTIS MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF NICISIA(LEFKOSIA)
European museum of the Year Award. The historical museum of Nicosia (LEFKOSIA) revives life in the capital from ancient times to the present day. Periodical exhibitions are taking place in the museum. There is a gift shop in the museum selling books, replicas and other interesting gifts.

BYZANTINE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERIES
Largest collection of icons on the island with 220 pieces, covering the period from 5th to 19th century.
The art galleries contain oil paintings, maps and lithographs.
Among the masterpieces are: the icons of “Christ and the Virgin Mary”(12th century) from the Church of the Virgin Mary of Aracas at Laghoudera, and “The Resurrection”(13th Century) from the Church of St. John Lambadistis Monastery at Kalopanayiotis. There are also six pieces of KANAKARIA mosaics.

FOLK ART MUSEUM-OLD ARCHBISHOPRIC
Wide collection of Cypriot folk art of the 19th and early 20th century, including wood-carved objects, tapestry, embroidery ,pottery, national costumes and handwoven Mosaics

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The flora  of the Troodos is of great importance too and it is characteristics are largely due to the particular ecological conditions created by high altitude and rainfall, temperature and geology. That  is why 52% of the endemic plants of Cyprus –that’s about 71 species, including the cyclamen cyprium,  which has been recently declared as the national flower of Cyprus –can be found in the area.

Troodos is also well-known for it is splendid forests. The natural centuries-old forests of black pine (pinus nigra)  grow above an altitude of 1200 m and cover a total forest area of 4700 hectares. In lower levels calabrious pine grows(pinus brutia).

The forestry station at Stavros tis psokas(Pafos forest)  and Platania(near Kakopetria) both keep herds of mouflon , the heraldic wild sheep of Cyprus . the animal and plant worlds of Cyprus waters are to be seen at the Marine Life  Museum in Agia Napa. The museum of Palaeontology in Larnaka houses a unique collection of fossils including the pygmy elephant and hippopotamus which once lived on the island.

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