A Spring Evening in Cyprus: Chamber Music, Monastery Stones, and Rose-Covered Homes
Bonus Weekend Edition: Mediterranean Condos Lifestyle Snippet
In the great theatre of the Mediterranean, there are places that quietly hold your heart without asking, whispering their charm on lilac-scented evenings and beneath star-scattered skies. Cyprus is one such place.
Every now and then, I like to share a small slice of life from this side of the world. A glimpse, not of real estate or logistics, but of what it feels like to live here in Cyprus. And if you’ve ever wondered what a random Wednesday evening might look like in this corner of the Mediterranean, here’s one I think you’ll enjoy.
This past Wednesday, I went out with a few friends to attend a European chamber music concert, one of the many performances in the 20th International Bellapais Spring Music Festival. I try to catch at least one concert every year. It’s the kind of tradition that quietly became part of my life here: something beautiful, something soulful, and something that always, without fail, leaves you feeling a little more grounded, a little more full.
Last year, I saw the world-renowned pianist Fazıl Say take the stage here. His performance stayed with me for weeks. Every morning on my drive to work, I replayed his pieces, clinging to the feeling I had captured live that night, trying to make it last just a little longer. And somehow, it did.
This Wednesday was another one of those quietly magical nights.
A Simple Evening That Fed the Soul
The setup was simple, no grand fanfare, no stadium lights. Just the soft glow of stage lamps, the echo of live instruments, and the ancient stone backdrop of Bellapais Abbey, still standing with grace after centuries.
We walked there from my villa. It’s a short walk, but one that never feels routine. The path winds through the village, past old churches and taverns, through air that still carries a mountain chill even in May. This time, the route was especially enchanting, charming stone homes were covered in roses, in every shade you can imagine. It felt like walking through a storybook.
And as always, I counted my blessings. To live somewhere that allows for beauty on a whim. To have nights like this without planning them months in advance. That, to me, is a luxury that can’t be bought or built, only found. I enjoy its spontaneity the most.
The Concert at Bellapais Abbey, a Gem in The Mediterranean
That evening, the Lignum Ensemble performed a selection of chamber works:
Madeleine Dring – Trio for Flute, Oboe and Piano
André Caplet – Quintet for Piano and Winds, Op.8
Mikhail Glinka – Trio Pathétique for Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano
The musicians—Cihan Yücel, Doğa Yürümez, Eylül Can Akdağ, Pamir Kolat, and İdil Bilbay—played with skill, joy, and a kind of intimacy that’s only possible in such a setting.
But the unexpected star of the show? A black cat, confident and utterly unfazed, wandered onto the stage mid-performance. He sat near the instruments, then stretched and settled in as though he’d heard it all before. And maybe he had. Perhaps this old abbey is his theatre too. He didn’t flinch when the music soared, clearly a creature of taste.
The Price of Beauty
What did all this cost? Just 500 TL—around 13 U.S. dollars. For an hour and a half of world-class music in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever known.
Experiences like this remind me why I moved here in the first place. Why I chose to call Bellapais my forever home back in 2018.
Bellapais Monastery: Living History
Bellapais, from the French belle paix, meaning “beautiful peace,” is more than just a location. It’s a living, breathing reminder of Cyprus’s layered past. Built in the 13th century by French monks during the Lusignan period, the abbey is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean.
It rests on a mountainside above Kyrenia, offering sweeping views all the way down to the sea. The cloisters, the chapel, the refectory, they all speak of time, and silence, and endurance.
British writer Lawrence Durrell lived in the village in the 1950s and wrote about it in Bitter Lemons of Cyprus. He called Bellapais the best spot on the whole island. I would agree.
Until Next Time
The festival runs until the 14th of May, and more concerts will be announced on their social media pages. If you’re nearby, or planning a visit, it’s well worth slipping into one of these evenings.
And if not this year, perhaps next. Cyprus has a way of waiting patiently. The music, the roses, the quiet stone paths, they’ll still be here. And if you ever do find yourself looking for a second home or a slower way of life, remember: even a Wednesday night here can feel like a dream.
See you in the next issue.
Best regards,
