Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca (must see)
The Church of Saint Lazarus is an autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church in Larnaca. It was built in the late 9th century. The church is mostly made from limestone block with a thickness of about three feet.
The church was named after New Testament figure Lazarus who according to Eastern Orthodox beliefs, fled to Cyprus after the resurrection of Christ. He was named as the first Bishop of Kition, which would later become Larnaca. The church is rumored to have been built over his tomb.
From the 13th to the 16th century, when Cyprus was under Frankish and Venetian rule, the Church of Saint Lazarus was used as a Roman Catholic church. This was when a Gothic style covered portico was added. The church was used as a mosque during Ottoman rule, at which time the original bell tower and three domes were destroyed. The church was sold back to the Greek Orthodox in 1589.
The current, Latinate-style bell tower on the Church of Saint Lazarus was built in 1857 after the Ottoman rulers allowed their churches to have these towers once more. Further construction was done on the church in the late 20th century after a fire caused significant damage to the interior.
The church contains a five-room museum that holds Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, vestments, books, sacred utensils, candle holders and wood carvings. Visitors to the Church of Saint Lazarus and its museum are welcome beginning at 8 AM every day except for Sundays. On Sundays, the church opens to the public at 6:30 AM. The church closes at 6:30 PM during the summer season and at 5:30 PM during winter months.
The church was named after New Testament figure Lazarus who according to Eastern Orthodox beliefs, fled to Cyprus after the resurrection of Christ. He was named as the first Bishop of Kition, which would later become Larnaca. The church is rumored to have been built over his tomb.
From the 13th to the 16th century, when Cyprus was under Frankish and Venetian rule, the Church of Saint Lazarus was used as a Roman Catholic church. This was when a Gothic style covered portico was added. The church was used as a mosque during Ottoman rule, at which time the original bell tower and three domes were destroyed. The church was sold back to the Greek Orthodox in 1589.
The current, Latinate-style bell tower on the Church of Saint Lazarus was built in 1857 after the Ottoman rulers allowed their churches to have these towers once more. Further construction was done on the church in the late 20th century after a fire caused significant damage to the interior.
The church contains a five-room museum that holds Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, vestments, books, sacred utensils, candle holders and wood carvings. Visitors to the Church of Saint Lazarus and its museum are welcome beginning at 8 AM every day except for Sundays. On Sundays, the church opens to the public at 6:30 AM. The church closes at 6:30 PM during the summer season and at 5:30 PM during winter months.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Larnaca. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Church of Saint Lazarus on Map
Sight Name: Church of Saint Lazarus
Sight Location: Larnaca, Cyprus (See walking tours in Larnaca)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Larnaca, Cyprus (See walking tours in Larnaca)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Larnaca, Cyprus
Create Your Own Walk in Larnaca
Creating your own self-guided walk in Larnaca is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Seaside Promenade Walk
Throughout its multi-thousand-year history, Larnaca has "moved" several times, not only along the sea, but also inland and back, towards the shore. Today, the promenade of Larnaca is the very heart of the city, stretching for three kilometers.
For most tourists Larnaca is just the place where the Airport is located and the first thing they see upon arrival. During the day, herds of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
For most tourists Larnaca is just the place where the Airport is located and the first thing they see upon arrival. During the day, herds of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Larnaca Introduction Walking Tour
Larnaca is the third-largest city in Cyprus. It was once a city-kingdom known as Kitoin. Though Kition was established in the 13th century BCE, the Phoenicians rebuilt the area around 1000 BCE. Some of the remains from this time, like cyclopean walls and temples, can still be seen today.
The modern name, Larnaca, is derived from the Greek word "larnax" due to the numerous burial sites... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
The modern name, Larnaca, is derived from the Greek word "larnax" due to the numerous burial sites... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles