Medieval monastery; the foundation legend refers to an earlier period
The Monastery of Saint Nicholas ton Gaton is often called the Monastery of the Cats. Tradition places its foundation in the early fourth century, although the surviving buildings mainly date from the eighteenth century and the earliest written references from the sixteenth.
Legend connects the monastery with Saint Helena, who is said to have sent cats from Egypt to Cyprus to protect the inhabitants from venomous snakes. The cats gathered at the sound of a bell and gradually learned to hunt the snakes.
During our visit the nuns were feeding numerous stray cats. We examine the church, inner courtyard, covered arcade and the bell associated with the tradition.
The legend of the cats is treated as tradition, separately from datable parts of the building and written evidence.
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