Armenian Church
Famagusta, North Cyprus
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| The Armenian church |
The Armenians came to Cyprus from the southern coast of Turkey before the French Lusignans arrived. Like other non-Latin or non-Orthodox Christians, they settled in the Syrian quarter of the city, so named because that was where the Carmelites from Syria were based.
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| Carved Cross on the Exterior Wall |
The Armenian church was probably built in the 14th century by Armenian refugees. It is quite small, with just one aisle and a cylindrical apse. The roof is in the shape of a cruciform, and the apse covered with a semi-dome. There is some evidence that a second chapel was added to the north east, but this has not survived.
Outside the church, on the walls you can see a number of crosses in different styles, no doubt carved by pilgrims as a declaration of faith. They are quite small, perhaps only 6 inches square, so you will have to look closely for them. Outside the southern door, you can also see traces of a medieval sun dial.
The church can be found close to the Martinengo Bastion, and is marked on some maps as being inside a restricted military area. This is not correct, and has not been for some time, although the barbed wire and "no photography" signs are still in place.
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