Morphou City

Morphou City - History Places To Visit and Usefull Information

As one approaches the town, well tended plantations of citrus fruits protected by bamboo wind-breaks demonstrate its continuing importance in the economy of the Cyprus island. It is a district, too, for tulips and strawberries. The church of the Monastery of St Mamas, originally a Byzantine building with Gothic embellishments, was reconstructed after a fire in the early sixteenth century, when a central dome was added. Early 'flamboyant' interior carvings have survived on the columns of the nave, the surrounds to the west window and in the shrine of the saint. But the iconostasis is the most interesting piece of church furniture. It incorporates marble columns crowned with Gothic inspired capitals, and lower panels in high relief depicting fruits, with Venetian heraldic devices at the corners. These carvings date from c. 1500, while the remainder of the iconostasis in carved and painted wood is rather later, being contemporary with a small pair of Holy Doors and the baldachin. The monastic buildings are no longer occupied, except for the modern west wing, which the bishop of North Cyprus Kyrenia uses when he is in residence.

St Mamas is a very popular and admirable saint, who finds favour for his objection to tax-paying and the manner in which he won relief. When soldiers came to arrest him and bring him to trial, he tamed a ferocious lion and rode on its back to the palace of the Byzantine ruler, who was so amazed by the sight that he granted immediate exemption. His shrine is recessed in the north wall of the church, and can be viewed from both inside and outside. It has been credited with exuding a liquid which has the power to calm tempests. Take the road leading south-west out of Morphou. The fertile red soil of this district is reminiscent of Devon. Not only is the land red, but the sea is tinged various shades of red and pink from minerals in suspension, the effluent of the mines. A right-hand turning leads to Pendayia Hospital, the property of the Cyprus Mines Corporation of Skouriotissa, which has its headquarters in Los Angeles. For the next few miles the extensive plant is visible from the road. There is a great crushing plant near the ancient port of Karavostasi, which has been associated with the export of copper since very early times. The place name means 'safe anchorage for sailing vessels'. To the left of the coast road, immediately outside Karavostasi, is the site of Soli.

	Price: 89950 GBP Apartment/Flat in Centre North Cyprus