Which church authority oversees the site?

The site belongs to the Church of Cyprus, an autocephalous Greek Orthodox body.

Where are the remains of Saint Lazarus kept inside the building?

Remains identified as relics of the saint rest beneath the altar in a marble sarcophagus.

What architectural elements reflect Frankish and Venetian influence?

A Gothic stone portico was constructed along the southern facade during Frankish and Venetian rule.

What artwork is present on the iconostasis?

The Baroque iconostasis features wood carvings by Chatzisavvas Taliadorou, gold leaf, and painted icons by Michael Proskynetes and Hatzimichael.

What historic languages appear in inscriptions on the porch?

The porch contains traces of inscriptions carved in Greek, Latin, and French.

Why was the church converted during Ottoman rule?

The building was turned into a mosque following Ottoman conquest before being sold back to the Christian community.

Larnaca · Cyprus

Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Residents in the old quarter structure their mornings around the stone square, trading coastal resort noise for daily bell tolls and limestone foot traffic.

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About the place

A stone basilica anchors the central square of the coastal town.

Byzantine authorities raised the basilica using thick limestone masonry directly above an ancient burial chamber. The interior divides into parallel aisles supported by heavy limestone pillars, arches, and vaulted ceilings. Steps descend from an open portico into the nave, where a Gothic arcade lines the southern flank. Its structure withstood changing rulers, serving as an Orthodox shrine, a Catholic church, and an Ottoman mosque.

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Shared worship between Orthodox and Latin congregations left multilingual inscriptions carved across the entrance porch. Inside, an ornate gilded iconostasis stands alongside a Rococo pulpit attached to a pillar. A destructive interior fire prompted extensive restoration, during which workers uncovered a marble sarcophagus beneath the altar. Bone fragments discovered within the stone confirmed the survival of local relics.

Associations

Tomb of LazarusCrypt beneath the sanctuary holds the stone sarcophagus attributed to the saint.
Baroque iconostasisDetailed wooden screen covered in gold foil stands before the altar.
Gothic porticoStone arcade on the southern exterior reflects medieval Frankish additions.
Fire damageA severe interior fire destroyed sections of the historic wooden furnishings.

Facts

The church belongs to the autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus.
Byzantine Emperor Leo had the original basilica constructed directly over the tomb site.
Excavations after an interior fire uncovered a marble sarcophagus containing human remains beneath the altar.
The building served both Orthodox and Roman Catholic congregations simultaneously during Ottoman governance.

Updated September 20, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Church of Saint Lazarus, Larnaca: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around1

A stone basilica anchors the central square of the coastal town.

Getting there and staying

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