pothamia_txt

Potamia (also: Pothamia) lies on the south side of the river Yalias (also spelled as: Yialias, Yiallias, Yialia, Idalia*), from which it takes its name, facing St. Sozomenos on the opposite bank, between Dhali (also: Dali) and Gaziler (Greek name: Pyroi, Pyroy), where in the XIVth and XVth centuries stood an important fortified château (villa, manor) of the Kings of Cyprus. Today the site is occupied by a beautiful Turkish tchiflik surrounded by splendid orchards.

It was built by James I (1382-1398), but was destroyed in 1426 by the Mamlukes (Mamelukes) after the battle of Chirokitia (1426).

Originally this was a royal manor. Father Stephen Lusignan (Stefano di Lusignano) states that in his time it continued to be an important casale. This villa is mentioned in the chronicles as a splendid royal residence, surrounded by delightful gardens. Also 'Amadi's Chronicle' and Florio Bustron all agree in attributing its foundation to King James I (1382-1398). 'The King and his successors often used to go there', says Stephen Lusignan, 'for repose and recreation'. The chronicle of Amadi calls Potamia 'bella e gentil casa real; stantia bella e uno delectevole zardin', a description repeated by Florio Bustron though not in quite such Venetian language. It was from here that King Janus set out in 1426 for the lamentable battle of Khirokitia. A few days later the Mamelukes sacked Potamia and burned it down. Its final destruction is ascribed by Stephen Lusignan to the Venetians.

The tchiflik of Potamia still contains a building of dressed stone (figure, top) which was once part of the royal villa. Its walls are 80 centimetres thick and it consists of two square rooms communicating with each other through a pointed arcade. The first measures internally 6.25 by 4.23 metres; it was never vaulted. The second had a pointed barrel vault and measures 4.63 by 4.44 metres; it is lower than the other and has a pointed window on the axis of the large arcade. Perpendicular to this axis the longer room has two doors facing each other. Originally there was an upper storey.

On the outside can be seen a cornice with a Gothic profile in the form of a low inverted Attic base.

About fifty metres away, outside the tchiflik and on the banks of the stream, is a small mound partly consisting of debris. The local Christians venerate it as the site of a chapel dedicated to St. Catherine; it was obviously connected with the royal villa. The chapel at Pyrga is also, wrongly, given the dedication of St. Catherine; it is quite near and was also founded by King Janus. The style of this ruined royal manor is close to that of Kolossi, Khirokitia and Kantara and the sadly incomplete fragment appears very likely to be a surviving portion of James I's country estate.

* Idalia may have been the original name since this stream runs by Dhali. Yialia was spelled Jaille by the French, meaning spring.

Descriptions from the "Chronicle of Amadi" (Francesco; Cronaca di Cipro, Arch.Makarios III Foundation, Nicosia, 1999, Italian language only, pp.534, h/b), Stephen Lusignan, Camille Enlart (1899) en George Jeffery (1918).


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		A fortified château (villa, manor) of the Kings of Cyprus... POTHAMIA

Potamia (also: Pothamia) lies on the south side of the river Yalias (also spelled as: Yialias, Yiallias, Yialia, Idalia), from which it takes its name, facing St. Sozomenos on the opposite bank, between Dhali (also: Dali) and Gaziler (Greek name: Pyroi, Pyroy), where in the XIVth and XVth centuries stood an important fortified château (villa, manor)* of the Kings of Cyprus. Today the site is occupied by a beautiful Turkish tchiflik surrounded by splendid orchards. It was built by James I (1382-1398), but was destroyed in 1426 by the Mamlukes (Mamelukes) after the battle of Chirokitia (1426). Originally this was a royal manor. Father Stephen Lusignan (Stefano di Lusignano) states that in his time it continued to be an important casale. This villa is mentioned in the chronicles as a splendid royal residence, surrounded by delightful gardens. Also 'Amadi's Chronicle' and Florio Bustron all agree in attributing its foundation to King James I (1382-1398). 'The King and his successors often used to go there', says Stephen Lusignan, 'for repose and recreation'. The chronicle of Amadi calls Potamia 'bella e gentil casa real; stantia bella e uno delectevole zardin', a description repeated by Florio Bustron though not in quite such Venetian language. It was from here that King Janus set out in 1426 for the lamentable battle of Khirokitia. A few days later the Mamelukes sacked Potamia and burned it down. Its final destruction is ascribed by Stephen Lusignan to the Venetians. The tchiflik of Potamia still contains a building of dressed stone (figure, top) which was once part of the royal villa. Its walls are 80 centimetres thick and it consists of two square rooms communicating with each other through a pointed arcade. The first measures internally 6.25 by 4.23 metres; it was never vaulted. The second had a pointed barrel vault and measures 4.63 by 4.44 metres; it is lower than the other and has a pointed window on the axis of the large arcade. Perpendicular to this axis the longer room has two doors facing each other. Originally there was an upper storey. On the outside can be seen a cornice with a Gothic profile in the form of a low inverted Attic base. About fifty metres away, outside the tchiflik and on the banks of the stream, is a small mound partly consisting of debris. The local Christians venerate it as the site of a chapel dedicated to St. Catherine; it was obviously connected with the royal villa. The chapel at Pyrga is also, wrongly, given the dedication of St. Catherine; it is quite near and was also founded by King Janus. The style of this ruined royal manor is close to that of Kolossi, Khirokitia and Kantara and the sadly incomplete fragment appears very likely to be a surviving portion of James I's country estate. * Idalia may have been the original name since this stream runs by Dhali. Yialia was spelled Jaille by the French, meaning spring. Descriptions from the "Chronicle of Amadi" (Francesco; Cronaca di Cipro, Arch.Makarios III Foundation, Nicosia, 1999, Italian language only, pp.534, h/b), Stephen Lusignan, Camille Enlart (1899) en George Jeffery (1918).

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