Umm Haram's sarcophagus is housed in an annex beneath three large stone slabs, which Muslims believe miraculously arrived from Mecca after her death. Legend has it that during one of her travels, Umm Haram admired three large stones at a Christian monk's house and asked for them, saying she would take them when needed. The monk agreed, thinking the stones immovable. Miraculously, during her funeral, the stones appeared on her grave. Today, her grave is covered with a green cloth symbolizing paradise, concealing the stones.
Adjacent to Umm Haram's grave, a Turkish woman, the eldest daughter of the Grand Vizier Mustafa Reza Pasha, was buried in 1929. Another notable burial nearby is under an alabaster tombstone with golden inscriptions, marking the resting place of Khadija, the great-grandmother of the late King Hussein of Jordan. Along the eastern wall facing Mecca lies Umm Haram's tomb, surrounded by several other graves. The most prominent is the two-tiered sarcophagus of Queen Adil Hussein Ali, wife of the ruler of Mecca, Hussein bin Ali. The eastern part of the sanctuary hosts the cemetery of the Turkish governors of Larnaca and Cyprus.
This guide will introduce us to Larnaca and Lefkara, a seaside city and mountain village revealing Cyprus's essence. Larnaca is an ancient city with a rich history of Greeks and Turks, where the Church of Saint Lazarus—one of the most important sanctuaries of the Orthodox world—coexists with the Mosque of Umm Haram, the fourth most significant mosque in the Muslim world.
We will stroll through the streets of Larnaca, admire the murals, and experience the charm of this Mediterranean city undergoing renewal.
Next, we will visit perhaps the most famous village in Cyprus—Lefkara, renowned for its unique embroidery and silver craftsmanship traditions, and the church that houses a relic of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified. Beyond these significant historical sites and events, you will be captivated by the charm of Cyprus, its peaceful nooks, enduring traditions, and serene atmosphere.
Cyprus is embodied in its mountain villages, where its heart and soul reside.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
