Paralimni Square
Surrounding Streets
I also had a nice view of the surrounding area, complete with Christmas lights!
The Third Church...
So, lets go into the third church to see what we can find.
The Church Of Virgin Mary
If you are a long-time reader of our articles you might identify this as an image of Mary The Guide. This is a style of Religious picture which depicts Mary guiding the viewer towards the Baby Jesus. However, this picture is not the reason I am calling this the Church Of Virgin Mary, and not, as Google refers to it, Ayia Anna. No, the reason I call it the Church Of Virgin Mary is because that's what it says on the leaflet I was handed when I entered the building.
Votive Offerings
These wax babies are votive offerings, probably left by a Religious couple who are trying to conceive.
Old Mural
So what else did that leaflet have to say? Let's take a look...
About 700 years ago, in the centre of the small town of Paralimni (Famagusta district) the church of the Virgin Mary was bilt. To the inhabitants it is better known as the church of "AYIA ANNA", a name that was probably given to the church after it was extended to its present shape.
The original church, small in dimensions but overhwhelming in appearance, was built in the 13th century. It was a single aisled vaulted building, cross-shaped inside with a dome. Built in the Orthodox Byzantine tradition, it has elements of Gothic architecture reminiscent of the Frankish occupation of Cyprus. For example, the sharp-edged arrows and the blow of sticks which end in bowsprits are elements of such Frankish influence.
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Related Blogs:
Postcard from Ayia Napa
We're all going on a summer holiday! Actually we've just got back from one. We've spent the last few days in Ayia Napa and naturally we took our cameras with us. So, for a change, here's a blog on the Eastern side of the Island. How did we find it? What were the beaches like? Did we "have it large"? Read on and find out...
Postcard From Ayia Napa, 2022
Once a year we spend a week in the East of the Island, visiting Ayia Napa, Protaras and the surrounding area. We always enjoy our visit, though it is nice to come back to our beloved Polemi. There is a lot more to the East than sandy beaches and partying. This is a selection of some of the sights we saw.Related Pages
MapParalimni Square
Paralimni has a lovely square in its centre that reaks of history. We visited it a couple of weeks ago, and found not one but three Churches vying for our attention. One of them was over 700 years old. Coupled with some nice cafes and plenty of shade-providing trees, they provide a perfect place to visit when you are on holiday in the East of the Island.
Good Pages To Visit
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FB PageOur Facebook Chat Group
Paphos Chat has been created for people who like our site and want to chat using Facebook. You can also easily upload photos of any size here. A lot of people are members of the Facebook chat group and the main forum. It's entirely up to you.
ListBlog Locations
Planning a day out? Then use our map of blog locations as a handy guide. Some of the places we visit our closer to each other than you might think, so take a look and start planning your next adventure...
eBookCyprus Road Trip 01: the Kathikas - Panagia Loop
Let me take you on a journey around the region of Paphos, Cyprus. Starting at Paphos itself, we travel to Akoursos, then Kathikas, Kritou Terra and Simou. We continue past Lasa and Kannaviou, before taking in the delights of Panagia. Getting a bit more adventurous, we visit the abandoned villages of Statos and Agios Fotios, before passing through Choulou, Letymbou and Polemi, and rejoining the main Paphos - Polis road.
The route is suitable for all types of vehicle, and requires no off-roading. The guide contains about 130 photographs including shots of all the road signs you need to pay attention to, as well as some of the highlights you may experience along the way.
There are also several maps which will help you keep your bearings.
You can do this journey in a day, or you can break it up into chunks. You can also do it in reverse, to get some completely different views. It is entirely up to you.
