Panagia Eleousa Monastery of Sindi 13
The Panagia Eleousa Monastery of Sindi is situated on the west bank of the Xeros river and was built around 1500, restored in the 18th century and renovated between 1994 and 1997 for which renovation it won the Europa Nostra Award in 1997.
The following is an excerpt from the book “Medieval Cyprus: A Guide to the Byzantine and Latin Monuments” by Gwynneth der Parthog published by Moufflon publications, which is highly recommended to anyone interested in this aspect of the history and culture of Cyprus.
“The monastery stands near the river, sheltered by the surrounding hills. Remains of cells and offices occupy three sides of a fairly spacious courtyard, the church itself being on the south side. The church is quite arresting: lofty, well-constructed, a ground-span of 15 by 6 metres and a high octagonal lantern with four lights under a tile covered dome - an astonishing monument to come upon in such a remote place. It has a tall three-sided apse containing a sizeable window under a hooded dripstone. Two of the three doorways have similar hoods: the immense main entrance from the courtyard, and the one at the west end. The smaller south door, now blocked, has a plain rectangular frame with a curiously built double lintel - a mid-18th-century style also found at the Tekke in Larnaka and at Arpera church. The walls are buttressed on the north and south. Inside is a single, lofty aisle, austere and impressive; in the apex of the west wall, a round window. The only ornament is the beautiful screen which divides the nave from the bema, glowing with icons. The screen itself is of plain ungilded walnut and its design of dragons, vines and flowers follows that of the 16th-century original. Part of this earlier screen is now displayed in the Kykko museum. The poor state of the monastic buildings necessitated a certain amount of rebuilding, especially on the east side; while, on the north side, the synod hall, refectory and kitchen have been carefully resored. In the centre of the yard is a deep, stone-lined well.
Sindi was erected on land belonging to a Latin overlord named Gautier de Moine and could well have been occupied first by Latin monks. During the Turkish period, it was put under the protection of Kykko monastery, which sent its own monks down. When the Russian Orthodox monk Barsky visited in 1735, he wrote that only three monks lived, the small amount of land unable to sustain more. He records that the monastery was thriving and possessed two water mills, one on either side of the river, a few fruit trees and land for growing corn.”
All comments are appreciated. However, no response will be made on my part unless I consider this is either required or could possibly add something new to the content of any comment.
Please note that invitations to groups with rules about making any obligatory number of comments or awards will not be accepted no matter how well-intended they may be.
EF260809 0542
Panagia Eleousa Monastery of Sindi 13
The Panagia Eleousa Monastery of Sindi is situated on the west bank of the Xeros river and was built around 1500, restored in the 18th century and renovated between 1994 and 1997 for which renovation it won the Europa Nostra Award in 1997.
The following is an excerpt from the book “Medieval Cyprus: A Guide to the Byzantine and Latin Monuments” by Gwynneth der Parthog published by Moufflon publications, which is highly recommended to anyone interested in this aspect of the history and culture of Cyprus.
“The monastery stands near the river, sheltered by the surrounding hills. Remains of cells and offices occupy three sides of a fairly spacious courtyard, the church itself being on the south side. The church is quite arresting: lofty, well-constructed, a ground-span of 15 by 6 metres and a high octagonal lantern with four lights under a tile covered dome - an astonishing monument to come upon in such a remote place. It has a tall three-sided apse containing a sizeable window under a hooded dripstone. Two of the three doorways have similar hoods: the immense main entrance from the courtyard, and the one at the west end. The smaller south door, now blocked, has a plain rectangular frame with a curiously built double lintel - a mid-18th-century style also found at the Tekke in Larnaka and at Arpera church. The walls are buttressed on the north and south. Inside is a single, lofty aisle, austere and impressive; in the apex of the west wall, a round window. The only ornament is the beautiful screen which divides the nave from the bema, glowing with icons. The screen itself is of plain ungilded walnut and its design of dragons, vines and flowers follows that of the 16th-century original. Part of this earlier screen is now displayed in the Kykko museum. The poor state of the monastic buildings necessitated a certain amount of rebuilding, especially on the east side; while, on the north side, the synod hall, refectory and kitchen have been carefully resored. In the centre of the yard is a deep, stone-lined well.
Sindi was erected on land belonging to a Latin overlord named Gautier de Moine and could well have been occupied first by Latin monks. During the Turkish period, it was put under the protection of Kykko monastery, which sent its own monks down. When the Russian Orthodox monk Barsky visited in 1735, he wrote that only three monks lived, the small amount of land unable to sustain more. He records that the monastery was thriving and possessed two water mills, one on either side of the river, a few fruit trees and land for growing corn.”
All comments are appreciated. However, no response will be made on my part unless I consider this is either required or could possibly add something new to the content of any comment.
Please note that invitations to groups with rules about making any obligatory number of comments or awards will not be accepted no matter how well-intended they may be.
EF260809 0542