Site name:

Turkish
Republic of
Northern
Cyprus

This Premonstratensian Abbey, is the most remarkable Gothic monument still remaining in Cyprus. It has been known under various names, such as the Abbey de la Paid, or the Abbey of Peace, which became corrupted in the Venetian times into Bella Paise, the Abbey Blanche or the White Abbey, from the color of the habit worn by the members of the order. The Premonstratensian Order - also called the Norbertine - was an Order of Augustinian canons founded in 1120 by St. Norbert Archbishop of Magdeburg, and its first Monastery was of great strictness, and the monks followed a life of deep austerity. At one time they held a certain amount of property in England, including Bayham Abbey in Kent. The strength of the Premonstratensians at present lies in Belgium where the great Abbey of Tongerloo is still in the hands of the Order. Though the Abbey of Bella Paise had considerable privileges, its origin is obscure.
Originally there were canons of St. Augustine here, but Archbishop Trierry (1205-1213)... (more)