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It is in a centre of
population on the feet of “Besparmak” Mountains, 3 miles away from
Kyrenia. Its contemporay name is derived from the French name “Abbeye de
la Paix” which means “Abbey of Paece”. The abbey which was built according
to the Gothic style of architecture is the most beautiful example in the
East.It
is known that the first inhabitants of Bellapais were “Augustinian” monks
who migrated to Cyprus when Selahaddin Eyyubi got control of Jerusalem in
1187. The first abbey building was built between 1198-1205. Most parts of
the building were built by the French King Hugsinsha III. Abaina
is built on top of a rock 15 m high. Since the British used it as
an artillery range, the eastern wall is full of holes.
There are two ornamented Roman tombs in the abbey courtyard, used as
washbasins as the monks. Hugh III who died in 1284 was buried there. The
church of the abbey which was pillaged by the Genoese in 1373 was
transfered to Byzantine Greek Orthodox people by Ottomans. The church was
named
“Virgin Mary Wearing White”. Embossed designs of
exterior walls are striking examples of Gothic architecture and stone
workmanship.
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