Martin M. Miles' photos

The church belongs to Stavrovouni Monastery, the oldest monastery in Cyprus. Legend has it that it was founded by Saint Helena on her return from the Holy Land. Women are not allowed to enter the monastery itself, but they are permitted to enter this church. However, it was locked.

The church belongs to Stavrovouni Monastery, the oldest monastery in Cyprus. Legend has it that it was founded by Saint Helena on her return from the Holy Land. Women are not allowed to enter the monastery itself, but they are permitted to enter this church. However, it was locked.

According to legend, Helena was returning from the Holy Land with the True Cross when a storm drove her ashore on the coast of Cyprus. At that night the True Cross was transferred by a miracle to the peak of a high hill and that a strong light was coming out of that peak. Helena decided to leave a piece there, and built a small chapel to house it. It has since become one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites on the island of Cyprus and is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in the world.

According to legend, Helena was returning from the Holy Land with the True Cross when a storm drove her ashore on the coast of Cyprus. At that night the True Cross was transferred by a miracle to the peak of a high hill and that a strong light was coming out of that peak. Helena decided to leave a piece there, and built a small chapel to house it. It has since become one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites on the island of Cyprus and is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in the world. The monastery complex, besides the convent buildings and the monastery church, includes a slightly lower terrace with the Church of All Saints of Cyprus and a bookshop. Women are permitted as far as the bookshop - only men are allowed access to the monastery itself.

Midnight in Nicosia

The church was built in 1850 and 1851 on the foundations of an earlier, probably Byzantine church. It is a two-aisled building with a portico built most probably in 1900 when the belfry was built too. The south wall of the church most probably belongs to the previous church.

The church was built in 1850 and 1851 on the foundations of an earlier, probably Byzantine church. It is a two-aisled building with a portico built most probably in 1900 when the belfry was built too. The south wall of the church most probably belongs to the previous church.

Tamada is an elegant Georgian restaurant that also offers Georgian wine. Khinkali

Tamada is an elegant Georgian restaurant that also offers Georgian wine. Khachapuri

Tamada is an elegant Georgian restaurant that also offers Georgian wine. Borscht Borscht is traditionally prepared in a region extending from Poland across Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, and Georgia to Russia.

Agios Trypiotos full english name is "Archangel Michael Trypiotis Church". "Trypiotis" means "maker of the hole" referring to a legend where Archangel Michael struck the ground to create a chasm, saving a monastery from a flood. The church was built in 1695 during the Ottoman period, commissioned by Archbishop Germanos II. It was constructed on the site of an earlier church and monastery. The building is an example of Franco-Byzantine style, characterized by its three-aisled basilica plan. Parts of the predecessor structure were used for the portal.

Agios Trypiotos full english name is "Archangel Michael Trypiotis Church". "Trypiotis" means "maker of the hole" referring to a legend where Archangel Michael struck the ground to create a chasm, saving a monastery from a flood. The church was built in 1695 during the Ottoman period, commissioned by Archbishop Germanos II. It was constructed on the site of an earlier church and monastery. The building is an example of Franco-Byzantine style, characterized by its three-aisled basilica plan. Parts of the predecessor structure were used for the portal.

Agios Trypiotos full english name is "Archangel Michael Trypiotis Church". "Trypiotis" means "maker of the hole" referring to a legend where Archangel Michael struck the ground to create a chasm, saving a monastery from a flood. The church was built in 1695 during the Ottoman period, commissioned by Archbishop Germanos II. It was constructed on the site of an earlier church and monastery. The building is an example of Franco-Byzantine style, characterized by its three-aisled basilica plan. Parts of the predecessor structure were used for the portal.

Agios Trypiotos full english name is "Archangel Michael Trypiotis Church". "Trypiotis" means "maker of the hole" referring to a legend where Archangel Michael struck the ground to create a chasm, saving a monastery from a flood. The church was built in 1695 during the Ottoman period, commissioned by Archbishop Germanos II. It was constructed on the site of an earlier church and monastery. The building is an example of Franco-Byzantine style, characterized by its three-aisled basilica plan

Agios Trypiotos full english name is "Archangel Michael Trypiotis Church". "Trypiotis" means "maker of the hole" referring to a legend where Archangel Michael struck the ground to create a chasm, saving a monastery from a flood. The church was built in 1695 during the Ottoman period, commissioned by Archbishop Germanos II. It was constructed on the site of an earlier church and monastery. The building is an example of Franco-Byzantine style, characterized by its three-aisled basilica plan and a central dome that appears nearly square.

Agios Trypiotos full english name is "Archangel Michael Trypiotis Church". "Trypiotis" means "maker of the hole" referring to a legend where Archangel Michael struck the ground to create a chasm, saving a monastery from a flood. The church was built in 1695 during the Ottoman period, commissioned by Archbishop Germanos II. It was constructed on the site of an earlier church and monastery. The building is an example of Franco-Byzantine style, characterized by its three-aisled basilica plan and a central dome that appears nearly square. The Shakolas Tower is in the backdrop.

Agios Trypiotis seen from the Shakolas Tower. Agios Trypiotos full english name is "Archangel Michael Trypiotis Church". "Trypiotis" means "maker of the hole" referring to a legend where Archangel Michael struck the ground to create a chasm, saving a monastery from a flood. The church was built in 1695 during the Ottoman period, commissioned by Archbishop Germanos II. It was constructed on the site of an earlier church and monastery. The building is an example of Franco-Byzantine style, characterized by its three-aisled basilica plan and a central dome that appears nearly square.

Selimiye Mosque seen from the Shacolas Tower (aka Ledras Tower), a highrise building, located in the old town of Nicosia. Selimiye Mosque (in North Nicosia) is the former Cathedral of Saint Sophia converted into a mosque in 1570. It has historically been the main mosque on the island. The Selimiye Mosque is housed in the largest and oldest surviving Gothic church in Cyprus possibly constructed on the site of an earlier Byzantine church.