Bellapais Village & Monastery

The village of Bellapais lies about a 10 min drive to the north-east of Kyrenia on the sides of the Kyrenia Mountain range. There are several cafés and bistros in Bellapais and I suggest you sit and admire the beautiful, expansive views across the plains of Kyrenia to the Mediterranean Sea while having lunch.

The focal point of Bellapais village is the Monastery. Bellapais Monastery is situated on a natural terrace on the side of the mountains and was built in the middle of the 13th century. Bellapais Monastery derives its name from the French, "Abbaye de la paix", which means "The Peace Monastery" and indeed it still lives up to its name as Bellapais is a very peaceful and relaxing place.

Bellapais Monastery comprises of a church, refectory, dormitory and storage rooms grouped around an inner courtyard. The Italian frescoes on the front walls date back to the 15th century and the two marble tombs in the courtyard were used as washbasins by the priests.

Above the abbey lies the charming village of Bellapais with its tiny lanes and narrow streets that cris-cross haphazardly away from the main square and up the hillside.