Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

"From our own correspondent"
Advance warning Kate Aidie 11:30 to 12:00 5 minutes on Maronites in Cyprus will be on BBC sounds app catchup after

Interesting listening but the reporter not quite accurate in her interpretation of history. The Maronite's were the first settlers in Cyprus before the Greek & Turkish settlers and the place the reporter was referring too was (I think) Korucam, further west of Camlibel, which, on the map is classed as a 'village'! Very strange as it has a current active Christian Cathedral so has 'City' status (no mosques), unlike Kyrenia/Girne which has no historical non-functioning building that was once classified as a 'Cathedral' of Christian faith which Lefkosia (Nicosia) and Famagusta (Gazimagusa) does, even though all up-to date references to Kyrenia/Girne is that it is a City! An enigma to me!

Korucam, on a recent visit a month ago is the cleanest place ('City'), in the TRNC. No rubbish, graffiti, roads spotless, free of any detritus and the public toilets cleaner than a lot of North Cyprus restaurants I've visited, situated next to the small, curved roof Church which is always open with no attendants! Light a candle if so desired.

Dolmus bus service from Girne will get you there with 'KORAN' on the front. Well worth a visit and the restaurant opposite the Cathedral do only one dish of the day, no menu so has to be good!?

Most notable Cypriot Maronite I remember was Mr Liatsos sadly no longer with us. A true gentleman and respected Advocate who had his office opposite the Land Registry in Girne.

There have been Greek speaking people in Cyprus for a considerable time longer than the Maronites who came from the Lebanon during the Lusignan period. Incidentally, when the Ottomans arrived in 1570/71 one of their first acts was to restore the Orthodox hierarchy who had been removed during the Catholic domination of the island.