During the Venetian rule of the island, the Bedesten was used as the metropolitan bishopric building by the Orthodox church, and dedicated to Mary as Panagia Hodegetria.
It was under the Venetians that the most notable part of the building—the north facade—was constructed.
The patrons were noble Cypriot families, their identity documented in part by the coats of arms carved immediately above the main entrance.
It was in the same period that the dome and large central apse were constructed, replacing the original of the Byzantine period.
During the Venetian rule of the island, the Bedesten was used as the metropolitan bishopric building by the Orthodox church, and dedicated to Mary as Panagia Hodegetria. It was under the Venetians that the most notable part of the building—the north facade—was constructed. The patrons were noble Cypriot families, their identity documented in part by the coats of arms carved immediately above the main entrance. It was in the same period that the dome and large central apse were constructed, replacing the original of the Byzantine period.
Bedesten, Nicosia