The stone church of Ayios Lazaros stands in the centre of Larnaca. It is one of three Byzantine churches in Cyprus and one of the most remarkable examples of Byzantine architecture on the island.
The tomb
The saint lived in Cyprus for 30 years and was ordained Bishop of Kiti by the Apostles Paul and Barnabas. What makes the church exceptional is that his tomb can be seen beneath the sanctuary. By legend the tomb was lost during Arab rule and found again almost 200 years later, in Larnaca in 890 AD, bearing the inscription “Lazarus, four days dead, friend of Christ.”
Tradition has it that the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI moved the saint’s remains to Constantinople. In 1970, however, during renovations following a fire that destroyed both the interior and exterior of the church, human remains were found and identified as part of his relics.
What survived
The church is thought to have been built by Leo VI in the 9th century and restored in the 17th. Though it was destroyed under Ottoman rule, the gold-covered iconostasis — a superb piece of baroque woodcarving — came through unharmed. The Byzantine museum next door holds important icons, artefacts and relics.
It is best seen at night, lit; restaurants, cafés and bars around the square let you eat and drink with the church in front of you.
More sightseeing around Larnaca
Larnaca Castle
The fort at the far end of Foinikoudes — climb it for the length of the promenade.
Hala Sultan Tekke
A mosque and shrine among palms on the west shore of the salt lake, built over the tomb of Umm Haram — one of the most significant Islamic sites in the Mediterranean.
Piale Pasha Promenade
Larnaca's first seafront street, running on from Foinikoudes past the fish tavernas — quieter than the palm promenade, and better at sunset.
Foinikoudes Promenade
Town beach with palms down its spine — cafés on one side, the Mediterranean on the other.