Notre Dame de Tyre, Gothic church in Arab Ahmet quarter, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Notre Dame de Tyre is an Armenian church featuring a square nave with high cross vaults and a semi-octagonal apse. A bell tower was added in 1860 and became a defining element of its appearance.
The building originated as a Benedictine abbey in the 13th century and was converted to an Armenian place of worship following the Ottoman conquest in 1570. This transformation shows how religious communities adapted to shifting political control.
The church bears the name of a French saint and serves as a spiritual center for the Armenian community that has worshipped here for centuries. The building reflects how different faiths have shaped the same space over generations.
The church underwent extensive renovation from 2007 to 2013 and received the Europa Nostra Award in 2015. The building is open to visitors, though it is wise to check local visiting hours and respect any religious services taking place.
The complex once housed multiple schools serving the Armenian community until the 1963 conflicts ended their operation. These educational institutions were central to preserving the community's language and traditions.
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