Peristerona: Church and Mosque
A church next to a mosque: a symbol of the communities living side by side before 1974
The story
The village of Peristerona has the Church of Saints Barnabas and Hilarion. The Department of Antiquities dates it to the late eleventh or early twelfth century. It is one of the two five-domed churches in Cyprus; the other is Agia Paraskevi in Geroskipou. Three domes stand in a row, and two more rise over the side parts. The oldest paintings inside date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and the bell tower from the nineteenth. A mosque stands nearby. The church, with the mosque in the background, appears on the back of the 5 Cyprus pound banknote of the 1997 series. This view, also seen on stamps, is cited as a symbol of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots living side by side before 1974.
The Church of Saints Barnabas and Hilarion in Peristerona (Nicosia district), with a mosque next to it, is a symbol of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots living side by side before 1974; this view was on the 5 Cyprus pound banknote. Also remember: it is one of the two five-domed churches in Cyprus, the other is in Geroskipou.
Visiting
Entry is free. Opening hours are not given: the Department of Antiquities suggests asking at the coffee shop next door.
Photos
Sources
- Department of Antiquities of Cyprus — Church of Agios Varnavas and Ilarionas, Peristerona
- Central Bank of Cyprus — CY£5 banknote, series 1997 (reverse: Peristerona church and a Turkish mosque in the background)
- Deputy Ministry of Tourism (visitcyprus.com) — Church of Agios Varnavas and Ilarionas
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