The Antiphonitis Church in Northern Cyprus
The Church of Christ Antiphonitis is located in the mountains of the Kyrenia district, near the village of Bahçeli (Kalogrea) in Northern Cyprus. It can only be reached by car. According to the sign on site, visiting hours are: April–October 08:30–17:00, November–March 08:30–15:30. Entry inside is not guaranteed (the church is often closed), and some reviews mention a ticket costing 50 TL.
Church Description
The Church of Christ Antiphonitis (in Greek Χριστός Ἀντιφωνητής) is a domed church in Northern Cyprus, in the Kyrenia district.
It is a single building with a spacious dome supported by eight columns. The church is considered the only preserved example of this type of temple on the entire island.
Another feature of the church is its frescoes. The oldest paintings date back to the late 12th century and are considered a local interpretation of the late Komnenian style. The remaining frescoes are from the 1400s. Frescoes in the narthex have faded due to sunlight, but some images are still well preserved.
Church History
The church was originally built on the site of a natural spring in the 7th century. Later, a monastery grew here, but in the 12th century, under the supervision of Greek Orthodox priests, the monastery was substantially rebuilt.
The church was then thoroughly reconstructed again in the late 14th–early 15th centuries: a narthex was added on the west side, and a covered arcade with vaulted arches was added on the south side.
After 1974, some frescoes were stolen and sold on the black art market. Nevertheless, much can still be seen today, such as the depiction of Christ Pantocrator surrounded by angels in the dome.
The Church Today
Today, the church is not active, but it attracts tourists with its preserved frescoes. A particular point of interest is the coexistence of frescoes with graffiti and inscriptions left by pilgrims on the lower frescoes in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Most inscriptions are in Greek, but some are in the Ottoman-Turkish script.
How to Get There
The Church of Christ Antiphonitis is located in the mountains near the village of Bahçeli — between Kyrenia and the Karpas Peninsula. It is not possible to reach the church by public transport, nor the village of Bahçeli; usually, a private or rental car is required.
How to Do It
- Plan your trip by car: public transport to the church and Bahçeli is generally not suitable.
- If you want to go inside, allow extra time: according to reviews, the church may be closed even during listed hours.
Questions
What is interesting near the church?
Not far away, along the mountain road toward Kyrenia, you can find another old inactive church — Apati Church. Also nearby is an abandoned Armenian monastery.
What are the visiting hours of Antiphonitis Church?
According to the sign on site: in summer (April–October) 08:30–17:00, in winter (November–March) 08:30–15:30.
How to get inside Antiphonitis Church?
Many write that even during listed hours, the church is not always open. If visiting the interior is essential, you can try to clarify access through the Russian Orthodox Church in Northern Cyprus by phone +90 533 848 61 95 or WhatsApp, as well as the Kyrenia Metropolis, to which the church belongs.
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