The Templar connection to the island of Cyprus.

(...) The Templars long wishing to carve out a nation for themselves, as the Teutonic Knights and Hospitallers would latterly accomplish, offered to buy the island from Richard I. (...)

The Templars felt unable to hold Cyprus by force...

(...) The rule of the Templars in Cyprus was marked by great severity and they quickly incurred the hatred of the Cypriots by their harsh exactions.

At length, in despair at their treatment and seeing that Templars were few in number, the islanders determined to attempt a general massacre of the knights on Easter Day, 1192. The Templars became aware of the plot and took refuge in their stronghold at Nicosia (...)

map of region
map of town
ground plan
photobook
more history
reserved

Text