Bellapais Abbey

Bellapais Abbey hangs on a forested slope of the Pentadaktylos range some 250 metres above Kyrenia (Girne), in the territory of Northern Cyprus. It is the most beautiful and best-preserved Crusader-era monastic ruin on the island — a 13th-century Augustinian abbey of pale local limestone, with a complete Gothic refectory still standing under its original vault, a carved cloister, the abbey church, and a panoramic terrace view down to the sea. The setting is one of the most romantic in the eastern Mediterranean.

The abbey was founded in 1198 by the Augustinian Canons Regular and developed under Lusignan royal patronage through the 13th-14th centuries. The architecture is French Gothic adapted to local stone and climate — the church follows the classic Latin cross plan, the cloister has elegant carved capitals on slender columns, the refectory (the most dramatic surviving space) has a 30-metre rib-vaulted ceiling rising over a single hall, with traces of the original wall paintings. The dormitory range to the east of the cloister is partly preserved; the chapter house is more ruined.

The Tree of Idleness — the celebrated mulberry tree in the abbey courtyard, made famous by Lawrence Durrell's 1957 book Bitter Lemons about his time living in the village below the abbey — is still there, though the original tree has been replaced over the years. The village taverna of the same name beside the abbey serves traditional food in the shade of the tree.

Insider tips. Crossing into Northern Cyprus requires passport and appropriate insurance. The abbey is open daily roughly 09:00-17:00 (longer in summer); entry is modest in Turkish lira or euros. Allow 90 minutes for a careful visit. Photography is welcome. The refectory is the must-see — stand under the centre of the vault and the acoustic is remarkable. The Tree of Idleness Tavern beside the abbey is a tradition for lunch.

Combinations. Pair with St Hilarion Castle (15 minutes — the dramatic fortress on the next peak), Kyrenia Harbour (the medieval port with restored Crusader castle), and ideally the Karpas Peninsula for a 2-3 day Northern Cyprus visit.

Bring. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat, water, layered clothing, passport, casual smart wear if eating at the Tree of Idleness, euros and Turkish lira (small change). When. Spring (March-May) for wildflowers; autumn (October-November) for clear cool weather. Summer mornings are pleasant. Bellapais is the most beautifully sited religious ruin on Cyprus and one of the most romantic spaces in the Mediterranean.