Description of the attraction
The ancient monastery of the Apostle Andrew is located near the city of Famagusta on the Karpas peninsula. Unfortunately, not so much is known about the history of its creation. According to legend, as early as the 1st century AD, during a sea voyage from Constantinople to Palestine on the ship on which the Apostle Andrew was, a misfortune happened - the captain of the ship began to catastrophically quickly lose his sight. The travelers were just near the Karpas peninsula. Then Andrew ordered the sailors to go ashore and find a source of water there, which, as he was sure, would heal the captain. But the sailors never found the spring. When, at the insistence of the apostle, they rolled one of the coastal boulders, a spring gushed out of the crack formed, the water from which returned the captain's sight in two days. After returning to Palestine, the rescued man ordered to make an icon with the face of the apostle and himself took it to a wonderful source, where he left it as a symbol of the miracle that had happened. Soon, pilgrims began to flock to this place, yearning for healing from their illnesses.
The very first monastery on this site appeared in the XII century, but soon it was completely destroyed. After some time, around the 15th century, a small chapel was erected there, after which, three centuries later, a new monastery with a church was built on that site, which have survived to this day. Now this place is revered equally by both Christians and Muslims, who treat it as a holy place. It is very popular with tourists, even though it is not in the best condition. Recently, the UN even had to allocate funds for its renovation.
Although the buildings look dilapidated, they have a special atmosphere that brings peace and tranquility to the soul. In addition, a wonderful view of the sea opens from the territory of the monastery.
