- Address: Littangomi, Iskele, Karpas, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- Architectural style: Architecture of Byzantium
- Foundation date: about 525-550 years.
- Working time: 24 hours
- The cost of visiting: free of charge (as part of a guided tour of the temples of Northern Cyprus)
On the territory of Northern Cyprus, it is rare to find a church or church that would have conveyed its original appearance to the present day. Moreover, from many structures there were only one ruins. That's why visiting the church of Panagia Kanakariya, which is in relatively good condition, is unique in itself.
History of the Church
The Church of Panagia Kanakari in Cyprus is an early Byzantine basilica with a gable roof. The building itself was built around 525-550. To this era are also the smalt mosaics decorating the inner space of the temple. The church survived the difficult iconoclastic period, which fell on 726-843, and it retained its uniqueness.
In the VII century, North Cyprus was often subjected to Arab raids, as a result of which many churches were completely or partially destroyed. Among them is the Church of Panagia Kanakaria. It was only possible to restore it in the 8th century. After such a large-scale reconstruction, the church acquired the appearance of a cross-bathing temple. For all its centuries-old history, this temple has undergone many changes, so now it is very difficult to imagine its original appearance.
Features of the church
The Church of Panagia Kanakarii has the form of a traditional Roman basilica with columns. The first years after the construction of the first floor of the temple was decorated with covered arcade galleries, which housed stables and utility rooms. In order to get into the monastic cell, it was necessary to walk along the flat staircases, located on the street side of the building.
Since ancient times, the main ornament of the Church of Panagia Kanakarii were smalt mosaics that survived the iconoclastic period. The apse of the temple was decorated with a mosaic on which was depicted the Blessed Virgin with the baby and the archangels and apostles surrounding her. It is interesting in that it is made in a style that is a kind of transition from the classical antique to the new methods of creating Byzantine mosaics.
During the Turkish raids, black archeologists treacherously removed the mosaics and illegally exported abroad. Only in the spring of 2013 the bulk of the exported fragments was returned to the Cyprus Orthodox Church and placed in the Byzantine Museum of Nicosia .
The Church of Panagia Kanakari is located in one of the most picturesque parts of Northern Cyprus. Here come those tourists who want to understand all the beauty and sense of spirituality of the Orthodox Church. On the territory of the temple there are ancient architectural objects, which are even more dipped in the era of its prosperity.
How to get there?
The Church of Panagia Kanakari is located in the small village of Boltashli (Litrangomi), which is administratively related to the Iskela district. You can visit the temple as part of a guided tour of the Karpas Peninsula or on your own in a rented car .
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