Lefkosia Churches

Ayios Ioannis Cathedral was built by Archbishop Nikiforos in 1662 on the site of a Benedictine abbey’s 14th century chapel.  It was dedicated to St. John the evangelist.  The cathedral sits inside a complex that includes the Archbishopric and Byzantine Museum with amazing Byzantine treasures and art galleries.  All Cypriot archbishops since the end of 18th century have been consecrated here.

Faneromeni Church, built in 1872, is located in the old city of Lefkosia and is the largest church within the city walls.  It incorporates stones brought over the remains of La Cava, the Lusignan castle at Athalassa and has a beautiful and well preserved 17th century iconostasis. In the yard there is a mausoleum containing the remains of the Orthodox clergy executed by the Turkish governor in 1821.

Panagia Chrysaliniotissa Chrurch is the oldest Byzantine church in Nicosia built in 1450 by Helena Paleologou, wife of the Lusignan King John II.   The church is dedicated to ‘Our Lady of the Golden Flax’ and is restored to its old glory with wall paintings, icons and wood carvings.

Trypiotis Church is located near the laiki geitonia in Lefkosia.  It si an example of the Franco-Byzantine Style and was built by the Archbishop Germanos II in 1695.

Ayios Kassianos Church. The original church was built in the 15th century but was burned down in 1570. The church was rebuilt in 1854 and houses the exquisite panel painting of the Panayia (Holy Mary) as well as relics such as an ancient silver helmet believed to have been used by Ayios Kassianos and a gilt Greek gospel of Ayios Ioannis printed in Venice in 1781. Agios Kassianos church is known for its miraculous qualities and is donned by people suffering from severe headaches.