Cyprus has been a divided island since 15 July 1974 when a coup d’état was staged by Greek Cypriot nationalists and elements of the Greek military junta in an attempt at enosis, the incorporation of Cyprus into Greece.
This action precipitated the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which led to the capture of the present-day territory of Northern Cyprus the following month after a ceasefire collapsed, and the displacement of over 150,000 Greek Cypriots and 50,000 Turkish Cypriots.
A separate Turkish Cypriot state in the north was established by unilateral declaration in 1983; the move was widely condemned by the international community, with Turkey alone recognizing the new state. These events and the resulting political situation are matters of a continuing dispute.
The Green line divides the North from the South, supervised by UNFICYP. Turkish Cypriots are in the North, Greek Cypriots are in the south and whilst the Turkish regime opened up several crossing points in April 2003 to allow movement across the Green line for both sides, the situation today remains unresolved, despite many years of negotiations to open up the island to joint rule.
Apostolos Andreas monastery is situated just below the tip of the Karpass peninsula in Northern Cyprus. The monastery is dedicated to Saint Andrew and is an important site for the Cypriot Orthodox Church. It was once known as “the Lourdes of Cyprus”, served not by an organized community of monks but by a changing group of volunteer priests and laymen. Both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities consider the monastery a holy place. As such it is visited by many people for votive prayers.
Now the Green line crossing points are open to all, the roads are vastly improved and the journey much easier. On my last visit 6 years ago, I found it sad to see the monastery in such a dilapidated state but there has been renovation funding from Church of Cyprus, EVKAF Administration and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the buildings are now under a restoration program which appears to be partially completed.
Linking with Thursday Doors, hosted by Norm Frampton. Pop on over and check some more doors today…
Travels in the Middle East and beyond 
The difference between the waiting for, and after, renovation is striking. It just shows how much of a difference some TLC can make.
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Thanks, Norm. I suspect the difference is mainly down to the fact that funding the renovation was finally agreed after many years of haggling. The cost was estimated to be around 5 million euros in 2013….
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Superb post, Vicky! Love the pictures especially the one of the Icon Panels….. Wow! Thanks. Hugs! ❤
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Thanks, Bushka, it’s nice to share some of the quirks of this lovely island…
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Hugs!
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Beautiful part of the globe even with its conflicted history. Wonderful architecture and the updated doors are lovely. Here’s hoping for a full renovation beck to its original beauty.
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I did not know this monastery existed. Thank you for the information, and for the wonderful photos!
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I appreciate that trying to restore and maintain these old buildings is very expensive, but in the end, I think it is completely worth the effort. This one is a beauty and am sure will attract people to visit when it’s completed.
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Really interesting, and great photos! I lived in Cyprus 1969-72 as my father was posted there in the RAF. We were free to travel where we liked, we went to Famagusta, Kyrenia, Nicosia. We often went camping to the ‘pan handle’. It is such a shame to see photos of how some places on the island are now, deserted and in ruins.
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Ah so much blue there -I and imagine it must be such a free feeling to have the sea all around you! would love to visit Cypress!
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I do like your final reddish door with bicycle. The iron scrollwork in the above window is a great detail.
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Beautiful! And SUCH interesting shots!
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