When you visit Larnaka, the most obvious start to any tour of the town is landmark Ayios Lazaros church. You will find it located between the former Turkish and bazaar quarters and what makes it so special is that it was built to house the remains of Lazarus, the one who was resurrected by Jesus Christ.

It is actually a miracle that this church is still in one piece. It survived the Turkish rule at a time when the Ottomans forbade such structures, as they considered their height a challenging insult to the minarets of Islam and feared they could be used to proclaim insurrection. In fact, the church had to be ransomed from the conquerors in 1589, and was used for joint worship by Latin Catholics and Orthodox Christians for two centuries.

You will notice that the simple stone interior offers a sharp contrast with the busy decoration of many Cypriot churches. It has some pieces that are truly remarkable and should not be missed: the ornate carved altar screen and a Rococo pulpit on one pillar, both about three hundred years old.

Look out for the filigreed icon of Lazarus emerging from his tomb. This is an image respectfully paraded every Easter Saturday, and something you should not miss if you are in town during the Greek Orthodox Easter.

There is a crypt under the altar which is said to have housed the relics of Lazarus only very briefly.

Highlights:

• Ayios Lazaros church is one of the must-see landmarks in Larnaka.

• The remains of Lazarus, the one resurrected by Jesus, were kept here many years ago.

• The church has a 300-year-old Rococo pulpit.

• It also boasts a silver filigree icon of the Raising of Lazarus from 1659 A.D., which is carried in procession in the presence of the Bishop of Kition every Easter Saturday.

• The church's crypt contains Lazarus' empty marble sarcophagus.

Look Out For:

• The use of flash might be prohibited as it may damage the icons.

• Finding a parking spot might be difficult in the area, but there are at least three parking lots in the proximity.