Hagia Sophia, Nicosia

The island of Cyprus was a Byzantine possession when Richard the Lionheart invaded it in 1191 during the Third Crusade. The following year, he sold it to Guy de Lusignan (1192–95). In 1197 Cyprus was set up as a kingdom by Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI (1191–97). Aimery (1195–1205), Guy’s brother and future king of Jerusalem, then became the first king of the Lusignan dynasty, which reigned over Cyprus until 1489[1].

Four bishoprics were set up and began to build their cathedrals. That of Nicosia, the island’s capital, became the seat of the Latin archbishopric; it was there the coronations of kings were held. However, the first phase of construction of this church probably did not begin before 1209 and most of the works – concerning the entire eastern side of the church up to the fifth bay – were undertaken under Archbishop Eustorge de Montaigu (1215 or 1217–50). The church contained reused elements, such as four columns and two of the capitals used in the sanctuary, which perhaps came from a Byzantine church.

The choice of the church’s name, which was extremely common in the Byzantine world, is explained if one assumes that the Latin clergy initially used the Greek cathedral also dedicated to Hagia Sophia – the Divine Wisdom. It is even possible that the Gothic church was built on the site of the Byzantine Hagia Sophia.

During the second campaign, attributable perhaps to Archbishop Hugh of Fagiano (1251–69), the initial plan was continued with no great change in style or design. The fourth bay was built, but the work came to a sudden end, leading the third uncompleted.

Most of the third campaign was carried out between 1319 and 1326, the date the church was consecrated by Archbishop John Conti (1312–31). It is to him we owe the western part of the church. However, the work was interrupted, leaving the harmonic façade uncompleted. The drastic change is style is notable this time; in fact, this work was carried out using Rayonnant Gothique forms.

Inside, Hagia Sophia measures approximately 68 metres long and 24.5 metres wide, and is over 21 metres high. It is characterised by the continuity and unity of its volumes, as well as by a certain sobriety. Its architecture and the style employed during the first two campaigns are similar to northern French buildings from the second half of the twelfth century. Because of the absence of triforium and timber-frame roof, the church looks squat. A flat roof was adopted, as in several Gothic buildings in the East[2].

The surviving sculpted decoration is largely made up of plant motifs. The figurative decoration, which has left no traces, was not very elaborate, but this was compensated for by several paintings in the vaults and portal tympana. It may be easily imagined that these were executed by Byzantine artists. While architects and sculptors were often sent from the West, Byzantine painters were often employed.

In 1570 the Turks took Nicosia; the cathedral of Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque and the figurative decoration was destroyed or plastered over. Minor changes were made in the structure of the building. Two minarets were put up, using as their base the two staircase turrets flanking the uncompleted towers of the façade. The building, which underwent further modifications, continues to be used as a mosque to this day.

[2] This element was not, however, limited to the constructions of the Crusaders. This type of flat roof is found all around the Mediterranean. Flat roofs also cover the cathedrals of Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, for example.

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