St. Sophia Cathedral Gothic Landmark Cyprus
In the center of North Nicosia stands the largest Gothic building in Cyprus. Originally a cathedral, it was later turned into a mosque but still keeps its French Gothic style. Over 800 years, the building has seen coronations, earthquakes, sieges, and the rise and fall of kingdoms, making it one of the most important historic sites on the island. wikipedia-com St. Sophia Cathedral, now called Selimiye Mosque, was built in the 13th century. It was converted into a mosque in 1570 after the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus. The building measures 66 by 21 meters inside and can hold about 2,500 worshippers. It was the coronation church for the Lusignan kings of Cyprus and later for the titular kings of Jerusalem and Armenia. Historical Background Construction of St. Sophia Cathedral began in 1209 under the Lusignan dynasty, a French royal family that ruled Cyprus after the Crusades. Its design was strongly inspired by Notre-Dame de Paris and other French cathedrals. French masons came to Cyprus to lead the work, while local craftsmen helped. The building took more than 150 years to finish, with the final parts completed around 1326. For over 200 years, St. Sophia was the coronation church for the Lusignan kings. Kings of Cyprus were crowned here as rulers of Jerusalem, even though Jerusalem was no longer under their…
Read more
