Sourp Magar Monastery

Also known as Magaravank, this is an Armenian monastery located in a forested valley in the Alevkaya range.

The monastery was first established in the early eleventh century as a Coptic (Egyptian Christian) monastery and came into the hands of the Armenians about the 15th century. The exact date and circumstances of the transfer are unknown.

The Armenians retained control of Sourp Magar and its lands under Venetian and Ottoman rule, the latter in which it was often called the Blue Monastery on account of the colour of the doors and windows.

Standing at 530 metres above sea level, and also referred to as the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, Sourp Magar had been a religious centre for Armenians for centuries, the quiet surroundings providing a haven for clergymen and laymen alike.

The Armenian community in Nicosia used it as a summer retreat, and it became a stopover for Armenian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. It also once housed a collection of manuscripts and other sacred items which were re-located to the Holy See of Cilicia in 1947.

The upheavals in the Ottoman empire at the beginning of the 20th century resulted in the arrival of thousands of Armenian refugees to the island, and the monastery opened its doors to orphans and those in need. It also helped feed the hungry by developing farming on the monastery’s lands which ran to around 3,000 acres.

Although the last monks left in the early 20th century, right until the 1974 Turkish Peace Operation, the monastery remained a favourite place for Armenian families and schools to visit, as its grounds were particularly pleasant, especially in the hot summer months.

Unfortunately, over the intervening years the monastery has fallen into a state of almost irreparable ruin. Despite various attempts to restore the buildings for secular use, permission from the Armenian Church authorities has not been granted and the dereliction continues.

The residential buildings at Sourp Magar are extremely important for the history of architecture in Cyprus, being the best-preserved and most extensive examples of late medieval domestic building on the island, even in its current state.

It consists of an irregular rectangle of two-storied residential buildings constructed around a generous precinct, sited on an overall slope. Two small churches or chapels, standing in the north-east part of the central courtyard, stand side-by-side. The largest chapel, with its vault still in place, was built in 1814.

The line of residential buildings facing towards the north and east probably belong to the fifteenth century judging from the shape and style of the Gothic windows and doors. One window has a chevron design, a characteristic feature of later Gothic building in Cyprus. These building were probably put up when the Armenians first took possession of the site. Internally, the buildings are two-storied, with a simple arcade below and a walkway above. The walkway was originally edged by stone posts with wooden lintels. The roofs throughout rested on wooden beams and were covered with curved tiles.

Inside the monastery enclosure you can still see the remains of an orchard with a tiny church and pilgrims’ cells lining the east and south perimeter walls. It is well worth a visit to soak up the atmosphere, marvel at the distant views or even picnic in the grounds.

Armenians retain great attachment to their ancient establishment and pilgrimages have been made there in recent years.

Access to this monastery lies on the road that leads from the Five Finger Mountain to Alevkaya. After driving for about 6.5km, looking down at the valley below, the monastery buildings will be seen nestling among the pine trees.