St. Nicholas of the Cats, Limassol

A peaceful convent in Limassol, St. Nicholas of the Cats seems to be occupied by cats instead of nuns. According to legend, the cats are descendants of the animals St. Helena imported in the 4th century AD to whittle down the area's snake population. Their feline forebears must have done a good job, because today the dozens of cats in residence seem more inclined to laze in the sun than anything else. The little peninsula past the Akrotiri military base is still called Cape Gata ("She-Cat").

Quick Facts

Sources

1. Fodor's Europe, 59th Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides)

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