Abandoned Armenian Monastery in Northern Cyprus

The Armenian Monastery of Surb Magar (Saint Macarius the Blessed) is one of the most significant monuments of Armenian religious and cultural heritage in Cyprus. For many centuries, it remained the main spiritual center of the island’s Armenian community. The monastery is located at an altitude of about 530 meters above sea level, among the pine forests of the Besparmak mountain range, which for a long time made it a quiet place for prayer, solitude, and monastic life.

• Surb Magar Monastery
• History of the monastery
• The monastery today
• How to get there
• Questions

Armenian Monastery of Surp Magar in Northern Cyprus

Surp Magar, or Magaravank, is an Armenian monastery located in a wooded valley in the Besparmak mountain range in Northern Cyprus. Magaravank rises to 530 meters and is located about 2 km from the Alevkaya picnic area.

Surp Magar is known for its picturesque location and beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and, in clear weather, of the mountains of Anatolia in Turkey.

The monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary was for many centuries a religious center for Armenians and served as a refuge for both clergy and laypeople. Read more about the history of the monastery below.

Magaravank is a complex of two-story residential buildings, as well as two small chapels located in the northeastern part of the central courtyard, standing side by side. The largest chapel, whose vault has survived, was built in 1814.

History of the Armenian monastery in Northern Cyprus

Surp Magar was founded in the early 11th century and at that time belonged to the Coptic Orthodox Church. It was presumably dedicated to Saint Macarius of Alexandria. Almost nothing is known about the Coptic history of Magaravank, but at the beginning of the 15th century the monastery was transferred to the Armenians of Cyprus.

Armenians had lived in Cyprus for a long time, but after the fall of the Cilician Armenian Kingdom in 1375 and after the Ottoman Empire captured Anatolia, they migrated to Cyprus in large numbers. The transfer of Surp Magar to the Armenians was caused by these events and the growing importance of the Armenian community in the Kingdom of the Lusignans.

The Armenians retained control of Surp Magar and its lands under Venetian and Ottoman rule. In the Ottoman era, the monastery was often called the Blue Monastery because of the color of its doors and windows. In some periods, the monastery was even exempt from taxes.

Restoration work was carried out in 1735 and in 1814 — in particular, the larger of the two chapels was rebuilt.

Throughout its long history, Surp Magar performed a wide range of social functions, from a school and rest house for pilgrims to an orphanage and a summer refuge for the Armenians of Nicosia. Some people lived here permanently: a report compiled in 1935 noted that 17 people lived here.

At one time, Surp Magar housed a collection of manuscripts and other sacred objects, but in 1947 they were transferred to the Cilician Holy See.

The Surp Magar Monastery today

After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, the Armenian community could no longer remain in Surp Magar, and the complex fell into decline. Nevertheless, thanks to the efforts of the Cyprus parliament deputy from the Armenian community, Vartkes Mahdesian, three pilgrimages were made there, the last of which took place on May 9, 2010.

At the moment, the monastery is gradually falling into disrepair, as the Armenian community has not been able to find funding for the restoration of the complex. It is now unguarded, which is a boon for lovers of abandoned places — you can freely enter there and wander among the old buildings.

How to get to the Armenian monastery in Northern Cyprus

The Surp Magar Monastery is located in the Besparmak mountains, not far from Alevkaya. The map is below the text, along with coordinates for motorists.

You cannot drive directly from the picnic clearing — the road is blocked by a rusty barrier. However, it is not locked in any way and can simply be moved aside. If there is a lock on it, you will need to walk down the road for a little less than two kilometers. Keep in mind that the return route is uphill and stock up on water.
Location

Questions about the monasteries of Northern Cyprus

What other Armenian heritage is there in the TRNC?

In the Arabahmet area there is a 13th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God. Today the church is not used for its intended purpose, although it was restored with EU funds from 2007 to 2013.

Are there Christian churches in the TRNC?

Yes, quite a few. However, only a few are active — for example, the Monastery of St. Apostle Andrew in Karpas. You can read about other sites in our article about Christian churches in Northern Cyprus.

What can you see near the monastery?

Not far from Surp Magar is one of the three mountain castles of Northern Cyprus — Buffavento, here is our article about it. And nearby there is an abandoned church of St. John, here is the location.

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