The Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (St. Nicholas of the Shelter) Murals

The 12th century is considered as the golden age for Byzantine art in Cyprus, but also unique in the whole world, because the surviving ones from this period are limited. The frescoes that survive in Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis and especially those revealed on the Sacred altar, after the removal of the newer layer of the 14th century, refer to the art of Constantinople.

Characteristics of the wall paintings in the church date back to the 11th century. The facial features of the Saints are rough, with a strong schematic line, limited colour, but at the same time highlight their intense psyche. These scenes are of the Ascension and Metamorphosis. On the west wall of the church is the oldest representation of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption. Unfortunately, however, only a few sections are intact today. The 12th century is represented by the scene of the Second Coming, located in the narthex of the church, and the representation of the ‘Virgin Mary’s Entrance’ that adorn the southwestern part of the church. In the 13th century a part of the church, like the narthex, was painted again, with frescoes of the Crucifixion, Resurrection and the Myrrhbearers. Finally, in the 14th century, the original façade of the church changed due to the conversions that took place. Many murals were destroyed. The only frescoes that date back to 1633, depict Peter and Paul the Apostles.

Location

Frescoes - Icons

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