The most romantic corner of Northern Cyprus "Bellapais"
The most romantic corner of Northern Cyprus "Bellapais"
The settlement known as Bellapais or Beylerbeyi Village is a small Mediterranean settlement among lemon and pomegranate trees. Bellapais Monastery, which gives the village an important touristic value, is named after the French "Abbaye de la Paix" (Monastery of Peace). The village, named after the Bellapais monastery, is located on a hillside with a bird's eye view of Kyrenia and is one of the coolest areas of the island even on the hottest days of summer. Bellapais is an impressive and romantic place that hosts the most beautiful sunset view of the island. In the restaurant inside the monastery, you can have an unforgettable dinner with a view of Kyrenia and the entire Mediterranean under your feet. The Bellapais monastery, which lights up following the sunset, will drag you into an atmosphere that you will not find anywhere else.
The monastery, which is one of the most important places and works of the gothic architectural style in Cyprus with its view that dominates the entire northern coast and its beautiful mountain view, also has a concert hall where the Bellapais music festival is organised today.
THE LAZY TREE
On my first visit to Bellapais or Beylerbeyi village, the Tree of idleness café at the entrance is the very place where Lawrence Durrell, the author of the novel "The Alexandria Quartet", a literary masterpiece, wrote his writings. The village café, which takes shelter in the shade of the centuries-old mulberry tree, which the author called the tree of idleness, is a place where the village people, who play cards and chat all day long, make ample use of their right to idleness. For someone who travelled all the way from Bursa to Cyprus, it is impossible not to have a coffee here. When the famous writer came to Cyprus with his daughter Sappho in 1953 to open a brand new page in his life, he was very impressed by the magnificent atmosphere of Bellapais. The author, who was able to live on the island for three years, where the restless days were increasing, left the island leaving behind his book "Bitter Lemons", in which he described life in Cyprus.
GIGANTIC AND OSTENTATIOUS
The Bellapais Monastery, which is considered to be a masterpiece of gothic medieval architecture, is the real fame of Bellapais or Beylerbeyi Village, which is decorated with lemon and pomegranate trees. Built from the 12th century onwards by the Lusignans, a French-based dynasty of overlords who ruled Cyprus for three hundred years, the structure is so gigantic and ostentatious that it contrasts sharply with the modest appearance of the village.
Bellapais Monastery is one of the most magnificent works of gothic architecture in the Near East. It is only 4-5 kilometres from Kyrenia, one of the most beautiful tourist spots on the island.
The first inhabitants of the monastery were Augustinian monks who migrated to the island when Saladin Ayyubi captured Jerusalem in 1187. A large part of the building, which has survived to the present day, was built by King Hugh III of France between 1267-1284. The porticoes surrounding the courtyard in the central part of the monastery on all four sides and the refectory were added between 1324-1359 during the reign of Hugh IV. When the Ottomans captured the island, Bellapais Monastery was given to the Greek Orthodox Church.
At the entrance of Bellapais Monastery, there is a gate with a tower built later, opening to the forecourt. On the upper jamb of the door made of marble are the coats of arms of the Cyprus, Jerusalem and Lusignan kingdoms. The church at the other end of the forecourt shaded by cypress trees is the best surviving part of the monastery from the 13th century. Two marble sarcophagi from the Roman period, which served as lavatories for the monks in the past, lead to the refectory. The lectern used for preaching while the priests were eating is still standing without losing its historical characteristic. It is possible to see a perfect example of gothic art in the refectory. The six large windows on the sea side and the rose window on the east wall are illuminated during the day. At night, it is recognisable even from Kyrenia with its specially illuminated appearance. The classical music concerts organised in the Monastery, especially in the summer months, complement the historical site and take visitors on a mysterious journey through the mystical structure where white-cloaked nuns once roamed the deep corridors. The Bellapais Classical Music Festival, organised every year in the last week of May, is world famous.
Bellapais Monastery is open to visitors between 09.00-19.30 in summer and 09.00-17.00 in winter.
