Notre Dame de Tyre

Notre Dame de Tyre is a 14th century monastery in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Picture of the old Sourp Asdvadzadzin church in 1963

The existing building is gothic in style and consists of a square nave, with a semi-octagonal apse, cross vaults an arch covering the western part, a bell tower (built in 1860) and convent buildings to the north of the church. To the east of the nunnery buildings is the sarcophagus of Lady Dampierre, an Abbess of the nunnery. On the church floor are tombstones dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.

Since its occupation by extremist Turkish-Cypriots in 1963-1964 and its occupation by the Turkish army in 1974, the monastery was damaged. Recently, it has been selected for preservation and restoration by the UNDP as it provides an opportunity to preserve a site of historical and cultural significance. It is expected that the renovation will be complete by 2011, according to the sign placed outside the complex's main entrance.

History

It is believed that the original church, known as the Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Tyre, was founded in the 13th century as a principal convent following the fall of Jerusalem. In 1308, the Lusignan king, Henry II of Jerusalem, repaired the church after it was destroyed by an earthquake. As many of the nuns were Armenian in origin, it came under the Armenian Church before 1504 ^[1].

In 1570, following the capture of Nicosia by the Ottomans, the keeping of the Paphos Gate, the church, and the surrounding area were handed over to the Armenians by Sultan Selim II ^[2].

The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus was housed next to the church, until the 1963-1964 intercommunal troubles, when it was taken over by extremist Turkish-Cypriots. In 1920 the descendants of Artin Melikian restored the church, and built the Melikian Elementary School on the grounds of the church. In 1938, the Ouzounian Elementary School was established by Dikran Ouzounian. There was also a kindergarten, originally built in 1902 and called Shoushanian.

Inside the complex was also the Armenian Genocide monument, built in 1932, the second oldest of its kind around the world. Opposite the church complex, to the west, were the Nicosia AGBU premises, while to the south the Armenian Club was located. Very near the complex were also the premises of AYMA.

In 1963, part of Nicosia was taken over by Turkish-Cypriot extremists, including the church complex. The church was trashed and illegal Turkish settlers moved in, causing further damage. In 2007, the area was sealed off and architects, historians and a committee met with the Armenian Ethnarchy to discuss renovation and refurbishment. Restoration process started in late October 2009 and is expected to finish in late July 2011 ^[3]

References

The Armenians of Cyprus ^[4]

1. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (May 2009). "Booklet on the Armenians of Cyprus". Kalaydjian Foundation. http://www.scribd.com/doc/19540738/The-Armenians-of-Cyprus-booklet. Retrieved 16 May 2010. 
2. ^ Hadjilyra, Alexander-Michael (May 2009). "Book The Armenians of Cyprus". Kalaydjian Foundation. http://www.hayk.net/docs/The_Armenians_of_Cyprus.pdf. Retrieved 16 May 2010. 
3. ^ http://www.scribd.com/doc/21770562/The-Armenians-of-Cyprus
4. ^ http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/moi/PIO/PIO.nsf/All/DBF419D7DF6CC18EC2256FCE00331E37?OpenDocument

See also

• History of Nicosia
• Armenians in Cyprus
• John of Ibelin (jurist)

Coordinates: 35°10′30″N 33°21′30″E / 35.1750°N 33.3582°E / 35.1750; 33.3582