Bellapais Abbey or “peace monastery” is the ruin of a monastery built by the Canons, regular priests living in community under the ruler ship of St. Augustine, in the 1200s on the north side of the small village of Bellapais, approx. five kilometres from the town of Kyrenia. The ruin is situated at an altitude of 220m above sea level, and offers stunning views of Kyrenia and the Mediterranean. The Abbey is also a museum, which hosts a restaurant and a cafe.
The monastery is a must see for anyone coming to the island, and there are an unforgettable sights to be seen, with its beautiful location and its majestic arches; a real Gothic masterpiece. A guided tour of the monastery rooms and caches, move you back in time.
Opening hours during the summer are 9:00 to 19:00 winter times are 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 4:45 p.m. They only charge a small entrance fee. The monastery’s refectory, now serves as a venue for concerts and lectures. In early summer, it is also a venue for a local music festival.
