Belapais Abbey

About 6 miles east of Girne you will find the wonderful and romantic rests of Belapais Abbey, a 12th century abbey built in gothic style during the Lusignan period. The abbey is built around an inner court, where the church, the dining room and the dormitory of the monks are located. It is also known as the Blanche Abbey, probably because of the white habit worn by its monks. The abbey was erected by the Order of St. Norbert, one of the less known orders of the Middle Ages.

The buiding is very well preserved, and its dining room (30 x 90 feet), built by King Hugh IV of the de Lusignan dynasty, is one of the best exemples of Cyprus' Gothic style. Several first rank figures of Cyprus' history are supposedly buried here, but their tombs have not yet been found. From the six windows of the northern wall you will enjoy a most splendid view of the sea, framed by the Taurus peaks, in the Anatolian Peninsula.