St. George of the Greeks Church Ruins

Famagusta, Cyprus

Built beside the small Byzantine church of St. Symeon, the church of St. George was a Orthodox Cathedral. An elegant mix of Gothic and Byzantine styles it was intended to rival its Catholic counterpart. However it was too big, with insufficient buttressing and a roof that was going to be too heavy. The pillars throughout the nave were expanded to take more weight and the roof was inserted with large upturned terracotta pots to spread the load. The church was not in existence long enough to find out if the builders may have eventually got things right. Taking the brunt of the Ottoman bombardment in 1571, evidence of which is still very evident in the remaining walls, the building stood for a little over a hundred years.

There are 15th century fresco fragments clearly visible in the three apses, though these are fading fast and there is no move to preserve them.

St. Symeon is accessible from St. George, it is a church with twin apses and is most notable for being the last resting place in Cyprus of St. Epiphanios one time Bishop of Salamis.

There are two other small churches nearby in what was once the Orthodox quarter of the city, Ayia Zoni, 14th C Byzantine, the church is intact and contains frescoes but is closed to the public. Close to it is another church of the same period, St. Nicholas (not to be confused with the catholic cathedral), a double-aisled church with two semi-circular apses and dome, otherwise a ruin.

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Founded: c. 1300
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Cyprus

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ion raut (2 months ago)
Saint George of the Latins is the remains of one of the oldest churches in Famagusta. The exact date of construction is unknown, but evidence of a crenellated parapet where defenders could protect the church suggests that it was built at a time when the Lusignans had not yet completed the city walls. Its design is said to have been inspired by the church of St. Chapelle in Paris, which was built in 1241. It is generally believed that the church was built in the last quarter of the 13th century, using material excavated from the ruins of Salamis. Most of what remains is the north and east wall. However, these remains allow us to imagine what the edifice must have looked like. The only surviving entrance is to the north and this is relatively well preserved. It is surrounded by sculptures, and nearby you can see a bearded man dressed in monks' robes and a lion attacking a lamb. Above the piers were marble gargoyles to collect rainwater from the roof.
Samet Karaca (2 months ago)
It is a very large and beautiful building. On the south side are the ruins of a small Byzantine cathedral with two apsees and traces of paintings on the walls. This church was once used by Orthodox people. In some sources, the Archbishop of Salamis, St. It is claimed that Epiphanios (310-406 AD) was buried here with all his jewellery.
Jagoda Kaszyńska (17 months ago)
Church ruins that we can see while walking around Famagusta. Parts of the building are preserved in quite good condition.
Denn (20 months ago)
The Church of St. George of the Latins, the first Catholic parish church in Famagusta, was built in the 40s of the 13th century. During construction, materials brought from the ruins of Salamis were used. During the Turkish siege of Famagusta in 1570-1571, the church was significantly destroyed. The Catholic Church of St. George was a classic example of late Gothic architecture, stylistically similar to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, located to the south. As some researchers note, the image of the Church of St. George was inspired by its architects by the outlines of the Parisian Church of Sainte-Chapelle. Unfortunately, only the remains of the northern and eastern walls of the church and part of the excellent Gothic apse have survived to this day. It's a pity :( How great it would be if the old city in Famagusta, or at least a few key late Gothic buildings, were restored.
Peter Počuch (6 years ago)
Z tohto kostolíka veľa neostalo no napriek tomu má svoje kúzlo.
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