The Byzantine church of Ayios Effimianos is situated in the occupied village of Lysi. Its wall paintings date back to the 14th century. After the Turkish invasion they were removed from the church, smuggled and sold abroad. They were traced in Munich. The Cyprus government and the Menil Foundation (USA) bought them back and agreed that they be exhibited in Houston for 15 years, prior to them being returned to the island. Lysi villagers built this new church along the lines of the old one. Replicas of the famous wall paintings from the dome and apse are kept in its basement. In March 2012, the original wall paintings were repatriated and are now exhibited in the Byzantine Museum of Nicosia.
Courtesy of the CTO
