Antifonitis Monastery

Feb 23, 2020
Antifonitis Monastery is also known as the church of Christ Antifonitis. This building is a domed church which is located in the Kyrenia district of Northern Cyprus. Kyrenia is the city which is situated on the northern coast of Cyprus and is famous for the historic harbor and the castle which is situated in the middle of this particular city. This city is De facto under the control of northern Cyprus along with the Antifonitis Monastery. De facto refers to the facts and practices which are applicable and exist in real life but these practices are not officially recognized by the law and government of this particular state. This practice refers to the acts which occur in real life in contrast to the acts which should be done under the law and constitution of the particular country and is known and de jury.

Location:

Located in the mountain range of a small village named Kalograia. A number of paths lead to Antifonitis Monastery, these paths are usually twisty and muddy but not very difficult to travel on foot. The name "Antifonitis" has the meaning of the term "A Christ who responds". A number of other churches are also linked with the Antifonitis Monastery for this purpose. This church is built alongside a natural spring located at the top of the valley. The construction of this Antifonitis Monastery can be traced back to the almost fifteenth century and originally belonged to a group of Greek Orthodox. This is a really huge building with a large doom supported over a total of eight pillars with the building having a lot of space for the individuals visiting the Antifonitis Monastery. This building is one of the types of buildings that survived this long. Another example of a similar sort of building is the St Hilarion Church which can be found nearby. This Antifonitis Monastery is a twelfth-century miracle and can be found in the forest of Cyprus near the village of Alevkaya.

History:

This Antifonitis Monastery was at some time in history was one of the premier Byzantine monuments of the Kyrenia Hills. The name "one of the response", is due to an event that leads to the construction of this Antifonitis Monastery. In this very forest, a rich and a poor man met each other. The poor man asked for some amount as a loan from the rich person from the grandee. On which the rich man replied, "Who will be the evidence that I have loaned you the money". On which the poor man replied calmly "God". This reply was enough for the rich man who then gave this person the amount required for the construction of Antifonitis Monastery, hence the building of this Antifonitis Monastery is thought to be a miracle at that time.

Geographical Status:

In order to reach the location, there are two different ways that can be taken by individuals. Both these paths, however, do require the use of 4WD in order to reach to the top of this path. In order to reach Antifonitis Monastery from the village of Herbarium, one has to move towards the northeast. On the paved path by the local inhabitants. This is a dirt path that continues to about 14 kilometers. With a number of important things passing in between such as Karaaqac, tarmac and a watershed. After this 14 kilometer drive on a 4WD, one will reach an X-shaped junction just before the city of Alevkaya. Move on the down left path to about 3.5 kilometers which is quite steep but is suitable for a 4WD. Once reached the bottom you will see the dome of Antifonitis Monastery peeking out from the dense forest. Another path of this Antifonitis Monastery starts from the city of Kyrenia. One has to move east from the coast road of the village named Esentepe. This village was famous around the area due to the fine quality crafts being produced here. As well as the apricots of the area. This path moves upward from the location with signs at every junction. Guiding the individuals towards the city of Alevkaya or lefkosa. Once reached the junction stop following the sign. And move straight into the dirt path, here you will see a tiny church of Apati. Which should not be troubled going there due to no such historical importance. No such religious importance to the location. Moving straight you will reach the X junction as told in the earlier path.

Tourism:

This place can be reached on a vehicle on a not so rough path. This site is open for visits almost every day of the week except for on Thursdays and Fridays. This Antifonitis Monastery can be visited without any cost to be paid. Starting of the building is covered by neglected bushes that have hidden most of the beauty of this building. This building contains a number of artifacts of Greek graffiti which is done in a time period not so old. Yet the building was largely damaged by the Turkish forces during the attack of 1974.Panayia Absinthiotissa Monastery