Author: Christos

Pafos – The cradle of Christianity in Cyprus C

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Like in the case of the other routes of Pafos (Paphos), this route also starts from the Palaiochristian Basilica of Chrysopolitissa in Kato Pafos, the church that is connected to Apostolos Pavlos, since in its yard lies the column on which he was tied and whipped.

The Church of Agia Kyriaki, also in Kato Pafos, dates back to the 15th century. Τhe Βyzantine Museum of the Holy Bishopric of Pafos is considered to be one of the richest museums in terms of significant exhibits, and its collection can easily be compared to that of the Museum of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation in Lefkosia.

The next stop is at the Bishopric and at the Church of Agios Ilarionas, with only the south aisle of the original building salvaged today. The Church of Panagia tis Eleousas in Nata village is a church of large dimensions, which has been under reconstruction in the past years.

The Μonastery of Panagia tou Sinti, in Pentalia is assumed to have been built in 1542. While originally it was autonomous, it later became, under Turkish rule, a glebe of Kykkos Monastery.

The last church of this route is the Church of Agios Nikolaos in Galataria with beautiful frescoes of the first half of the 16th century.

Total route length: 85 km.

Pafos – The cradle of Christianity in Cyprus (B)

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The second ecclesiastical local route of Pafos (Paphos) is longer and starts from Kato Pafos and the Palaiochristian Basilica of Chrysopolitissa, the big church that is directly connected to Apostolos Pavlos, since the column on which he was tied and whipped can be found there.

The Church of Agia Kyriaki, also located in Kato Pafos, is built on the ruins of the north aisle of the Basilica of Chrysopolitissa and dates back to the 15th century. The Holy Bishopric of Pafos hosts the Βyzantine Museum with icons dating back to the 8th, 9th, and up until the 19th centuries.

The next stop is at the Church of Panagia tis Chryselaiousis in Empa, one of the most significant Byzantine monuments of Cyprus. In Tala, the route passes from the Church of Agia Aikaterini, a single-aisled church with a dome, which possibly in its initial form used to be arched. In the same village there is the Μonastery of Agios Neofytos, a Cypriot hermit from Lefkara who left behind a significant work.

The Church of Agia Aikaterini, in Kritou Terra, dates back to the 15th century, and is quite interesting as a church in terms of its architecture. Just before the end of the route, visitors pass from the Church of Agios Andronikos in Polis Chrysochous, which is located on a hill with a wonderful view. The last stop is at the Church of Agios Minas in Neo Chorio at the edges of Akamas peninsula.

Total route length: 85 km.

Pafos – The cradle of Christianity in Cyprus (A)

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The Pafos (Paphos) area is full of ecclesiastical monuments, with the first on the list being the Palaiochristian Basilica of Chrysopolitissa in Kato Pafos.

This church has yet another reason to constitute an excellent place of interest, thanks to its relation to Apostolos Pavlos; it still houses the column on which, according to tradition, the Apostle was tied and whipped.

In Peristerona, there is the Ecclesiastical Museum, which is hosted by the Archbishopric of Arsinoes, and houses icons and canonicals, as well as other objects from the villages of the area. The Church of Agia Kyriaki was built on the south aisle of the ruined Palaiochristian Basilica of Chrysopolitissa.

In the Holy Bishopric of Pafos there is the Βyzantine Museum whose collection can easily be compared to that of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation. In Geroskipou, there is the second church of Cyprus with five domes – as well as significant frescoes – which is dedicated to Αgia Paraskevi and, in Acheleia, we find the Church of Agios Theodosios with significant frescoes that date back to the 13th century, one of which depicts the Apostles Petros and Pavlos, along with a portrait of the donors.

The route then passes from the churches of Panagia tis Katholikis in Kouklia, the Hermitage ‘Palaio Egkleistro’ in Souskiou, and ends in Pano Archimandrita and the Hermitage of Agion Pateron.

Total route length: 53 km.

3rd Local Route of Lemesos (Limassol) Religious Route

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The first stop of this route of Lemesos (Limassol) is in Parekklisia and the Church of Timios Stavros, which houses some very significant frescoes of Italian-Byzantine style. In Kellaki, there is the Church of Agios Georgios with its very interesting wood carved iconostasis – a work made under Turkish rule.

In the Church of Agios Nikolaos, in Klonari, there are wonderful frescoes of the 16th century, and a magnificent iconostasis with very interesting icons that decorate it. In Vikla, there is the Church of Agios Ioannis tou Eleimona, the only building that has been salvaged in this abandoned village. The route then stops at the Church of Agios Georgios tis Akapnou, which is the parish church of the village.

The visit to the Church of Panagia tis Iamatikis in Arakapa is an unforgettable experience. From the inscription, we find out that it was destroyed for some reason, and rebuilt in 1727. In Louvara lies the Church of Agios Mamas, which was built in 1455, although it was decorated 40 years later by painter Philippos Wool.

Total route length: 6 km.

 

 

Lemesos – Hidden treasures of religion

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The second route of Lemesos (Limassol) starts from Pano Polemidia and the church of Αgia Anastasia, which is the cluster of two separate churches with frescoes of the 15th and the 17th centuries.

In Monagri village, there are many significant churches, such as the Monastery of Panagia tis Amasgou with excellent samples of frescoes of the 12th, 13th and 16th centuries. The Μonastery of Archangel west of Monagri village has been reconstructed. The church of Αgios Georgios, also in Monagri, is the parish church of the village and has frescoes of the 15th century.

The Μonastery of Timios Stavros, in Kouka village, dates back to the 12th century, and is the only building amongst a series of monastery buildings which has been salvaged to this day.

The last stop of this route is at the Μonastery of Timios Prodromos in Mesa Potamos; its date of establishment is not known, however, it has been recently reconstructed revealing frescoes of the 15th century.

Total route length: 56 km.

Lemesos – Worshiping amongst the vines

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This route starts from Cyprus Medieval Museum, which is located inside the Castle of Lemesos (Limassol) and covers a time period of approximately 1,500 years through its exhibits. The next stop is at the church of Agios Efstathios in Kolossi, a church that dates back to the 12th century, and where significant frescoes of the 15th century have been salvaged in its interior.  In the village of Erimi there is a small 15th-16th century church dedicated to Panagia Chrysopolitissa with some frescoes still surviving in its interior.In the picturesque village of Omodos, there is the Monastery of Timios Stavros, which – according to tradition – had been established by Agia Eleni, and it is here that ‘Agios Kannavos’ – a piece of the rope which tied Jesus Christ on the Cross – is kept.

The church of Agia Mavri, located in Koilani, used to be a small monastery, whilst the church of Monogenous is the second parish church of Koilani and dates back to the 17th century. The church of Panagia is a church that also hosts the Ecclesiastical Museum of Koilani.

Τhe last stop of this route is at the church of Τimios Stavros in the village of Kouka, which dates back to the 12th century, in which there are preserved frescoes of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Total route length: 72 km.

 

 

Larnaka – Glimpses of a glorious faith

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In the local route of Larnaka (Larnaca), the first stop is at the church of Αgios Lazaros as well as the Εcclesiastical Museum located there, as they constitute two of the most significant monuments of Cyprus.

In Kiti, the church of Panagia tis Aggeloktistis can be found; a very significant Byzantine museum, which houses an arc of an old-Christian church with a mosaic of the 6th century within its interior.

Heading to Kato Lefkara, the route passes from the church of Archangelos Michael, with beautiful frescoes of the 12th and 15th centuries. The church of Τimios Stavros, in Pano Lefkara is located at a point that has a visual contact with the Monastery of Stavrovouni, and in its interior there is a silver cross in remembrance of the Bishop of Amathous. Although not known when it was built, it is certain that the Monastery of Agios Minas, in Vavla, was revived after 1965 when it became a women’s monastery.

In Hoirokitia lie the ruins of a monastery that once belonged to the Knights Templar, and later to the Knights Hospitaller, whilst the church of Panagia tou Kampou has some significant frescoes.

Pyrga is the last stop of this route and gives visitors the chance to see the Monastery of Stavrovouni – a men’s monastery with a strict ritual, the Μediaeval Chapel, and the church of Agia Marina.

Total route length: 73 km.

Larnaka – Ammochostos – The byzantine jewels on the eastern coast

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The route starts from Larnaka (Larnaca) and specifically from the church of Αgios Lazaros and Larnaka Εcclesiastical Museum – two very significant ecclesiastical monuments.

In Sotira, the route passes from the Church of Μetamorfoseos tou Sotiros (Transfiguration of the Savour), a cemetery church dating back to the last years of the Venetian rule, and from the church of Αgios Mamas of approximately the same period, which houses a few frescoes.

In the Hortakia region lies the church of Αgios Georgios Hortakion, which stands out for its good proportions, although its frescoes that have been salvaged are very few. In the same area, visitors can see the church of Panagia Hortakion, which dates back to the 15th century.

In Paralimni, the route takes us to the church of Αgios Georgios, located in the city centre and built in the 19th century. Next to the church of Agios Georgios lies the church of Panagia-Agia Anna, a two-aisled church, estimated to have been built in the 14th century. In the interior, there is also a small Εcclesiastical Museum. A very significant stop on this route is at the Μonastery of Agia Napa – built in the 14th century – which is one of the most significant places of interest and, at the same time, related to poet Georgios Seferis.

Total route length: 76 km.

Lefkosia – Religious Gems 3

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This route, which is the third for Lefkosia (Nicosia), starts from Kato Deftera and the Spileo (cave) of Panagia tis Chrysospiliotissas with frescoes of the 14th century, where a large festival is held on August 15.

In Politiko, visitors will see the Μonastery of Agios Irakleidios, a women’s monastery, which can tell the entire history of the Orthodox Church. The renowned Μonastery of Panagia tou Machaira is the next stop of the route. Visitors have the opportunity to see one of the most significant monasteries of Cyprus – built in the 12thcentury with funds from Byzantine Emperors.

In Fikardou, one can admire the folk architecture of the village, which was declared, in its entirety, as an ancient monument by UNESCO. In Palaichori, the route passes from the church of Panagia tis Chrysopantanassas, which is located in the centre of the village, and by the Εcclesiastical Museum located very near to the church.

In Agrokipia, the last part of the route lies the church of the Μonastery of Agios Panteleimonos Acheras with interesting icons and a wood carved iconostasis, characteristic of the ecclesiastical art under Turkish rule.

Total route length: 73 km.

Lefkosia – Religious Gems 2

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The second route in Lefkosia (Nicosia) is in the greater area of the district and starts from Peristerona and the church of Agion Varnava and Ilariona. This church’s main characteristic is its five domes, and as far as frescoes and icons are concerned, only some of the 12th and 15th centuries have been salvaged. A bit further to the south lies the church of Αgia Varvara, which dates back to the 16th century, in the years of Venetian rule.

The next stop is at the church of Panagia tis Asinou in Nikitari, one of the 10 churches included in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The route passes through Galata and the church of Panagia tis Podithou, which is also in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The next visit is again in the village of Galata to the church of Αrchangelos Michael or Theotokos, and then to the church of Αgios Sozomenos, which was proposed to be included in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The route ends in Kakopetria and at Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, a church of the 13th century which is already one of the 10 UNESCO’S World Heritage Sites of Cyprus.

Total route length: 149 km.