May 11, 1222 Earthquake: Cyprus

1222 May 11. A destructive earthquake in Cyprus is mentioned by many contemporary and near-contemporary chroniclers. The earthquake occurred on the sixth hour of the day, that is past noon on Wednesday 11 May 6730 a.B. (AD 1222), and completely ruined Paphos and Limassol. Paphos suffered most; the city and castle were totally destroyed and most of its inhabitants were killed. Either in Paphos or in Limassol a church fell, burying the priest who was saying mass and all his congregation. Another church, that of the Franciscans in Paphos, was so badly damaged that it was abandoned after the earthquake. The Byzantine castle at the site known as Saranda Kolones was also destroyed. Near Paphos, ‘ two mountains with a lake in between them collapsed and formed a single mountain ’an allusion that the earthquake triggered large-scale landslides. Modern sources place the site of this in the vicinity of the monastery of Chrysorroiatisa, about 25 km northeast of Paphos, where it is alleged that six villages are still buried under the slides. Limassol was also completely destroyed, with great loss of life. Damage extended throughout the island, including Nicosia, where many people lost their lives. It was widely felt on the coastal areas on the mainland, in Egypt, but details of its effects there are lacking and no confirmation has been found in Arabic sources for an event this year (619 a.H.). (reference #9116)

1222 May 11, 06:15. Intensity IX. (reference #10420)

1222 May 11, 06:00. A destructive earthquake in Cyprus, associated with a seismic sea-wave, was felt in Egypt.' Paphos and Limassol were completely destroyed, with great loss of lífe. (reference #3845)