Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nity. The tombs have steep steps leading to the underground chambers where stone urns
were placed pending the decomposition of their contents. Thereafter the bones were re-
moved and the chambers reused.
Most tombs have been looted over the years, though at least three have yielded treasure
and antiquities that are now in Nicosia's Cyprus Museum.
Church of Apostolos Varnavas
Church of Apostolos Varnavas
HISTORIC SITE
This beautiful Orthodox church is dedicated to St Paul's good friend Varnavas (Barnabas),
who was born in Cyprus and carried out his missionary work here. Although his name and
work are listed in the Bible's 'Acts of the Apostles', he was never officially one of them.
Today the church is an icon museum with a wide selection of Greek Orthodox icons
and some frescos on display but its the stunningly well-preserved architecture of the
building that is the true star.
Three monks (who were also brothers) called Barnabas, Stefanos and Khariton gov-
erned the church from 1917. They attempted to remain after 1974 but ultimately left in
1976, following constant searches of the premises and travel restrictions imposed by the
Turkish authorities. They lived out their days at Stavrovouni Monastery.
The church was spared from the destruction and looting that befell many churches in
the North when Turkish authorities turned it into a museum. Although many Greek Cypri-
ots have objected to the site's use for monetary gain and not for worship, they are pleased
the church has survived.
The original church was built in AD 477, over the site of Varnavas' tomb. It was dis-
covered by Anthemios, the bishop of Constantia (Salamis), following a revelation in a
dream. The current structure was built by Archbishop Philotheos in 1756 and incorporates
much of the original church.
In the courtyard there is also a small archaeological museum, which contains some ex-
cellent finds from Salamis and nearby Enkomi. Some of its contents may have been
moved from Varosia's now defunct Archaeological Museum.
The artefacts and the rooms are not well signed. Clockwise from the entrance, the first
room houses Bronze Age objects, the next has exhibits from the Venetian period, and
there's a mixture of Ottoman and Classical periods in the final room. The most interesting
exhibit is the statue of a woman holding a poppy, believed to be the goddess Demeter.
The church is 9km northwest of Famagusta, 2km down the well signposted turn-off just
south of Salamis.
