Iskele Plains | North Cyprus

Formerly called Trikomo, this village is inhabited by Turkish Cypriots from the Turkish quarter of Larnaca. Iskele means jetty and when the Turkish Cypriots moved north after partition, they brought the name of their district with them. The village is famous for its Pomegranates and according to legend the Goddess Aphrodite brought the first fruit to Cyprus. Now rarely gathered, the hedges hang heavy with an abundance of fruit during August and September.

There are two churches of historical importance in the village, Panayia Theotokos (The Blessed Virgin, the Christ carrier) is also a museum displaying icons. The main aisle was built in the 12th century and the ceilings are adorned with frescoes painted in vibrant colours. The north aisle is of a later date and has frescoes from the 15th century.

In the centre of village is the tiny cruciform church of Ayios Iakovos (St. James). Erected in the 15th century it seems the interior was never adorned with paintings, only the insertion of some brightly coloured porcelain plates in the walls. Most of these are missing, the victims of vandals through the ages. The church is infrequently open, but is well worth a photograph stop, and there is ample parking in the village centre.