Ayios Iakovas Church
(St James Church)
In the centre of the village of Iskele, stands the tiny Dominican chapel of
Ayios Iakovas. This has to be one of the smallest and most attractive churches
in Cyprus.
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Ayios Iakovas Church |
It is very difficult to date this church, but is certainly no later than the
15th century, and more likely 100 years before that.
In design, it is very simple, which adds to its charm. A plain rectangular
nave with four high, pointed arches supports a high drum pierced by six
round-headed windows. On top of this sits a small dome, resting on a moulded
cornice.
The chapel is usually locked, but if you are fortunate enough to get inside,
there are some porcelain plates in the vaulting which are of interest. The
remaining icons, however, are much less interesting.
Supposedly, Queen Maria of Romania was so struck with the beauty of this
miniature chapel, that in 1913 she had a duplicate made at Balchik on the Black
Sea to serve as her private chapel.
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