Monastery of St Barnabas

The St Barnabas Monastery and Icon museum once marked the Western boundary of the ancient city of Salamis and is situated close to the Royal Tombs between Tuzla and Salamis. The site consists of a church, now an icon museum, a monastery, displaying an archaeological collection, and a chapel supposedly housing the remains of the saint himself. The buildings that we see today date from the 1750s. Once the center of the Cyprus Orthodox Church, the monastery is still in good condition. Outside the church, there is a courtyard, surrounded on three sides by buildings that once housed the monks and pilgrims coming to pray at the monastery.

St Barnabas was one of the founders of the independent Cyprus Orthodox Church and is the patron saint of Cyprus. He was born in Salamis to a Jewish family who had emigrated from Syria to Cyprus. Barnabas spent most of his life in Jerusalem studying religion until he was finally appointed archbishop of his native Salamis. However, on his return to his homeland, the saint was arrested for preaching and immediately executed without trial. The nearby Barnabas, risking their own lives, reburied the remains of the archbishop, and they themselves were forced to leave Salamis due to increased religious persecution. Thus, the grave of the holy preacher was completely lost and forgotten.

How to get to St. Barnabas Monastery

St. Barnabas Monastery is 10 km from Famagusta, on the east coast of Cyprus. Public transport does not go here, but it is quite easy to get there by private car: you need to follow the main road Famagusta - Karpaz along the coast to the north to the town of Engomi, it is in its suburb that the monastery is located. Also from Famagusta to the desired place can be reached by taxi.

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00.

Entrance fee: Voluntary donation.