HISTORICAL PLACES

CHURCH OF VIRGIN MARY You can find this small church in the centre of Paralimni, the main town of the region of the Free Famagusta area. The church was built 700 years ago, but to the inhabitants in known as the church of “Agia Anna”. A name that was probably given to the church after it was extended to its present shape. The original church, small in dimensions but overwhelming in appearance, was built in the 13th century. It was a single aisled vaulted building, cross-shaped inside with a dome. Built in the Orthodox Byzantine tradition, it has elements of Gothic architecture reminiscent of the Frankish occupation of Cyprus. Many valuables of the Orthodox ecclesiastical and worshipping tradition are kept within the church of the Virgin Mary: icons, Holy Gospels, Books of Monthly Services and other ecclesiastical books, chalices, large candles, candlesticks, church candelabrum etc.

CHAPELS The area of Paralimni and the surroundings are full of very old and interesting chapels which are worthy to visit. Most of them were in old times the churches of small communities which later joined together to form Paralimni. To mention just few, we have the “Ayia Triada” (The Holy Trinity), the “Panayiotissa” dedicated to Virgin Mary, “Saint Cornelius” and “Archangel Michael”.