crusader-road-txt-1

Thousands of tourists, mainly British, extensively explore or just 'do' the famous Bellapais Abbey. Coaches have to stop because it's impossible to enter the small village of Bellapais, cars may drive through main street and park near the Abbey. But hardly any visitor knows that in any case you have to pass one of the most ancient roads in Cyprus, dating back to the time of the Crusaders: Crusader Road, as it is officially named...

Access to the Abbey from the coast was by this cobbled roadway which still exists between Ozanköy and Bellapais. It enters the main street of Bellapais about 100 metres to the west of the Abbey, where a sign indicates the holiday bungalows of Bellapais Gardens (picture, left ).

A close neighbor to the Bellapais Monastery and its village is Ozanköy. The private houses of both villages have almost mingled with each other. If you go up the "Fehim Bey Hill" in Ozanköy the old Crusader Road takes you up to Bellapais. Both settlements have a common historical background. Ozanköy which was previously called "Kazaphani", was located away from the sea to protect the villagers from threatening pirates. It used to be a "fief" during the Lusignan rule, most probably a residential area which supplied provisions to the monastery. "Kazaphani" is a corruption of the the words "Casal Epiphani" or village of St. Epiphanius. The old road between Ozanköy and Bellapais dates back to the times of the Crusaders.

In Ozanköy there is a small well-preserved medieval church dedicated to the Virgin of the River (Panayia tou Potamou). There are aisles on the north and west sides of the church. There is a medieval tomb with no inscriptions. It is believed that it belonged to the founder of this church and according to traditions daughters were buried in the same grave. The whole church was covered with frescoes but most are decayed. The visible mural paintings are the Day of Judgment, St. Spyridon and St. Nicholas.

Tip: take a 50 metres walk on Crusader Road and have a drink or lunch on the terrace of hotel-restaurant Bellapais Gardens (at your left hand).

Very friendly and helpfull staff! Don't forget to ask them for the nearby 'spring').

It is superbly situated, halfway up the northern hill slopes, magnificent views of the Kyrenia coast below, rugged pinnacles of the Kyrenia range tower behind.

You'll never forget the view...


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	One of the most ancient roads of Cyprus... CRUSADER ROAD
Thousands of tourists, mainly British, extensively explore or just 'do' the famous Bellapais Abbey. Coaches have to stop because it's impossible to enter the small village of Bellapais, cars may drive through main street and park near the Abbey. But hardly any visitor knows that in any case you have to pass one of the most ancient roads in Cyprus, dating back to the time of the Crusaders: Crusader Road, as it is officially named... Access to the Abbey from the coast was by this cobbled roadway which still exists between Ozanköy and Bellapais. It enters the main street of Bellapais about 100 metres to the west of the Abbey, where a sign indicates the holiday bungalows of Bellapais Gardens (picture, left ). A close neighbor to the Bellapais Monastery and its village is Ozanköy. The private houses of both villages have almost mingled with each other. If you go up the "Fehim Bey Hill" in Ozanköy the old Crusader Road takes you up to Bellapais. Both settlements have a common historical background. Ozanköy which was previously called "Kazaphani", was located away from the sea to protect the villagers from threatening pirates. It used to be a "fief" during the Lusignan rule, most probably a residential area which supplied provisions to the monastery. "Kazaphani" is a corruption of the the words "Casal Epiphani" or village of St. Epiphanius. The old road between Ozanköy and Bellapais dates back to the times of the Crusaders. In Ozanköy there is a small well-preserved medieval church dedicated to the Virgin of the River (Panayia tou Potamou). There are aisles on the north and west sides of the church. There is a medieval tomb with no inscriptions. It is believed that it belonged to the founder of this church and according to traditions daughters were buried in the same grave. The whole church was covered with frescoes but most are decayed. The visible mural paintings are the Day of Judgment, St. Spyridon and St. Nicholas. Tip: take a 50 metres walk on Crusader Road and have a drink or lunch on the terrace of hotel-restaurant Bellapais Gardens (at your left hand). Very friendly and helpfull staff! Don't forget to ask them for the nearby 'spring'). It is superbly situated, halfway up the northern hill slopes, magnificent views of the Kyrenia coast below, rugged pinnacles of the Kyrenia range tower behind. You'll never forget the view...
Bellapais: at this sign begins Crusader Road...		The webmaster walked all of Crusader Road (about 30 degrees Celsius in burning sunshine) downhill to Ozanköy and back uphill to Bellapais and feared he'd die of fatigue and thirst halfway...	A cobbled roadway: 800+ years old Crusader Road
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