Kanakaria Church in Cyprus
This simple stone-built church of three naves, each with a semicircular apse, is one of the most interesting in Cyprus because it contains a rare mosaic similar to that at Kid. Some authorities have suggested that the two mosaics may have been executed by the same artist, though the Kanakaria one is considerably less well preserved, due, according to Gunnis, to the local belief that the glass cubes which form the mosaic are a cure for skin diseases, so that they have been removed piecemeal.
The church is approached through a courtyard which originally had monastic buildings grouped around it, but these are now part of a farm. Visitors are expected to ring the church bell (in the belfry to the left of the west entrance to the church) and someone will appear with the key. The naves are barrel-vaulted. Most of the construction dates from the twelfth century and appears to have made use of details from a much earlier Byzantine shrine. The central dome was added in the eighteenth century. Some marble columns with Corinthian capitals have been re-used in the west narthex and south porch. The restoration work of 1779 and 1920 has resulted in a confusion of styles. There are some sixteenth-century wall-paintings, also porcelain plates let into the ceiling of the narthex, which merit attention.
Mosaics
But it is the mosaics in the apse, damaged though they be, which have conferred prime importance on this little church. Their subject is the Blessed Virgin (now shown in outline only) seated with the Child on her knee. This portion is better preserved. Jesus is dressed in white, and has in his hand a parchment scroll. Medallions of the Apostles around the group are in bad condition, and the same applies to the archangels who appear on either side, as they do in the Kiti mosaic. Though some authorities have ascribed this work of art to the ninth or even the sixth century A.D., it is in many respects typical of the Sicilian work of the twelfth century which became popular in the Levant at the time of the Crusades -no doubt introduced by Italian pilgrims. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that the Kanakaria mosaics bear an equally close resemblance to those at Ravenna and in the Katholikon of the Monastery of St Catherine on Mount Sinai, which have been attributed without absolute certainty to the sixth century. Whatever the date and affinity of its rare treasures, the Church of Kanakaria is well worth this short detour before continuing on the main road from Leonarisso to Yialousa.
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