An exhibition of tombstones uncovers the lives of the Lusignan nobility
When Guy de Lusignan bought Cyprus from Richard the Lionheart in 1192, Gothic architecture came to the island.
The period of French domination lasted for almost 300 years and a strict feudal regime was imposed on the Cypriots. The Franks went to great lengths to suppress – unsuccessfully -Byzantine architecture and culture. The way of life, dress and official language was French. Architecturally at least, Nicosia and many of the other larger towns prospered under the rich and luxurious life of the Franks as the Lusignan kings hired architects and craftsmen to build cathedrals, monasteries and palaces in splendid Gothic style.
The tombstones found in some of these churches and the information they reveal about medieval life in Cyprus is the subject of an exhibition currently underway at the Leventis Museum in Nicosia.
These tombstones offer valuable insights into the lives of the wealthy French, Greek, Syrian and Genoan families that lived in Cyprus and provide information about their dress and status.
The exhibition is based on the findings of Brunhilde Imhaus, the former cultural attach? to the French Embassy here, and has been organised in collaboration with the French Embassy and the French Cultural Centre as part of ‘Live France’ celebrations.
Though no actual tombstones are on display, the pictorial and photographic exhibits explain how the tombstones were carved, where many of them were found and describe what the designs and inscriptions on the stones reveal about Lusignan life.
Life-sized figures in period clothing – from knights in shining armour, to the ladies of the nobility in their long dresses – help to bring the exhibition to life. The clothes are based on the designs depicted on the tombstones.
They also give a sense of how fashion changed over the years of Frankish rule in Cyprus. When the Franks took over in the 12th century, Cypriot dress sense became far more westernised than it had previously been. Men in the 13th century began wearing long sleeved tunics influenced by the French dress of the time. The tunics were usually knee length with slits down the side that allowed them to mount a horse with ease. By the 15th century, they were wearing tunics that were a little more revealing with a wide opening at the neck and long wide sleeves often decorated with beading and buttons.
Women’s clothing also changed during this period, and by the 15th century a distinction became apparent in dress according to social class and age. The neckline on female dresses became tight, with a low and revealing v-shaped opening. Younger women became particularly more daring, choosing to dress in much brighter colours than before, in contrast to older women who would dress in more conservative dark colours.
Take a wander around the exhibition hall and you will also be able to catch a glimpse of the intricate jewellery that added the finishing touches to the women’s outfits, as well as other items used in every day life such as decorative hand painted ceramics and even original letters exchanged between the nobility.
There is also video footage with various scenes that re-enact the period.
Lacrimae Cypriae – The Medieval Society of Cyprus 1191-1571
An exhibition on the Middle Ages in Cyprus as part of ‘Live France’ celebrations organised by the French Embassy in Cyprus. Until December 2. Leventis Municipal Musuem, Laiki Yitonia, Nicosia. Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4.30pm. Tel: 22 661475
The Lusignans
l The most impressive remaining monuments of the Lusignan period are the Gothic churches that went up in the 13th and 14th centuries – Saint Sophia Cathedral in northern Nicosia, Saint Nicholas in Famagusta (now both mosques) and Bellapais Abbey are the best examples.
l Although not built by the Franks, the beautiful Saint Hilarion castle of Byzantine architecture, perched high on the Kyrenia mountain range, was the summer resort of the Lusignan nobility. Grand parties were held here and extensive adjustments were made to accommodate the needs of the Franks. At the entrance of the castle in the upper section is a Gothic style Lusignan gate.
l The area near Paphos Gate in Nicosia is believed to be the site of the grand royal monastery of St Dominic, built in 1226. A palace was also built in its grounds. The monastery was completely cleared away by the Venetians when they built the city walls. The graves of all the kings, queens and other nobility that lay buried there were also destroyed.
l Nicosia was walled for the first time in 1373 under the reign of King Peter II. The perimeter was four miles and the area enclosed was roughly the same as the old city today, but the Pedios river still flowed through the centre of the city. The Venetians diverted the river.
l The last king to rule during the period was James II, who was married to Caterina Cornaro, the daughter of a noble Venetian family. When he died, Caterina went on to become queen of Cyprus. Under Caterina the island was controlled by Venetian merchants, and in 1489 she was forced to abdicate and cede the administration of the country to the Republic of Venice. The queen is said to have dressed in black and set off from Nicosia on horseback in tears. In February 1489, the Venetian banner of St Mark floated over the castles and palaces of Cyprus and the Lusignan dynasty came to an end.
l According to legend, James II fell in love with Caterina while taking a stroll with her uncle, who purposefully dropped an image of her on the floor for him to see. They married in Venice in 1468, by proxy, when she was only 14 years old. She finally travelled to Cyprus and they married in person in Famagusta in 1472.
