Author: Christos

Situated southwest of the village of Anogyra, the Church of Timiou Stavrou is built over the foundations of an early Christian basilica. At the end of the 15th century, the present church was built overthe foundations of older churches.

In its present form, the monastery is an intricate architectural complex. Its barrel-vaulted church with a single nave and dome is decorated with wall-paintings in the Palaiologan style which, despite marked wear and tear, remain exceptional examples of Palaiologan painting in Cyprus.

The village itself is located halfway between Lemesos (Limassol) and Pafos (Paphos), 400 metres above sea level, and retains its traditional character and local customs. Surrounded by carob orchards, the ‘black gold’ of the island and the traditional sweet made from it – ‘pasteli’ – are an important part of the village’s history.

Kourion was an important city-kingdom in antiquity and stands as one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cyprus.

Located 20km west of Lemesos (Limassol), on the road to Pafos (Paphos), Kourion Stadium is the only ancient stadium found in Cyprus. Dating back to the 2nd century, the stadium had a capacity for 6.000 spectators and was the site of pentathlon events in ancient times.

The site is free admission.

Archaeological Site of Kourion – Audio Guide

Located in the old Turkish quarter, Kebir Mosque was built in the 16th century and is still operational today, making it one of the most important places of worship for the Moslems of Lemesos (Limassol).

Recent excavations to the east have also revealed the architectural remains of the 10th century cathedral of Agia Ekaterini.

Located on Agiou Andreou Street, Agia Napa Church was built towards the end of the 19th century – early 20th century, on the ruins of an older, smaller Byzantine church.

According to tradition, the church takes its name from an icon of the Virgin Mary, which was found in a glen (‘napa’ in Latin), and thus is dedicated to her. Other sources believe that the church owes its name to a temple built in the Frankish period, dedicated to the Holy Nappe of St. Berenice, known by the name of ‘Saint Nape’.

The present church – which was completed in 1906 – is three-aisled, with a marble iconostasis and frescoes mainly on the dome, and contains a silver-covered icon of Agia Napa.

Agia Anastasia Church is a complex of two domed churches located in Polemidia village. The older church – possibly dating to the 12th century – is on the east side and is a cross-in-square domed church. The second church, on the west side, was added in the 14th century and built in the same architectural style. The surviving mural paintings date back to the 14th, 15th and 17th centuries.

Located 20km east of Lemesos (Limassol) on the road to Nicosia (Lefkosia), Agios Georgios Alamanos was originally founded as a monastery in the 12th century, and now functions as a convent. Aside from performing their religious duties, the nuns pass their time with icon painting, the cultivation of flowers and herbs, and the production of honey.

Kourion was an important city-kingdom in antiquity and stands as one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cyprus. Its theatre – located on the southern end of the abrupt hill on which the city is built – is of great significance.

The theatre was constructed at the end of the 2nd century BC, but took its current dimensions during the 2nd century AD. Consisting of a semicircular orchestra that is surrounded by seats of the cavea (subterranean cells), it was enclosed to the south by the building of the scaenae frons (façade) that must have reached the height of the cavea, though today only the foundations remain.

On either side of the stage were two vaulted parodoi (corridors) from where the audience entered the theatre. The theatre could seat up to 3,500 spectators.

In the beginning of the 3rd century AD modifications were made, and the theatre was transformed into an arena that was used for fights with wild animals. At the end of the 3rd century AD, the arena spectacles declined and the theatre reassumed its proper purpose.

Excavations began in 1933, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, whilst many other University Archaeological Missions – as well as the Cyprus Department of Antiquities – continued the excavations.

Today, it is the scene of many cultural activities and theatrical performances, especially during the summer season.

Archaeological Site of Kourion – Audio Guide

Apollon Hylates, God of the Woodland, was the protector of Kourion and it is believed that he was worshipped at the site from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. His sanctuary was an important religious centre and underwent many extensions and alterations in different periods.

Originally, the site consisted of a temple (traces of which survive in the foundations of the present temple), a circular monument, and a formalized Archaic Altar and Precinct. During the Roman period the site was extended with the addition of the south and north buildings, which may have been used for the display of votives or the accommodation of visitors. Terracotta figurines and pottery that were accumulated in the temple from the 5th century BC to the Roman period were buried in the votive pit.

The majority of the monuments – as they can be seen today – belong to the site’s 1st century AD restorations, and consist of Apollo’s temple (which has been partly restored), pilgrim halls, the ‘palaistra’ (where athletes exercised and played games), a bath complex, and a holy precinct.

Built in 1879 by architect Friar Francesco da Monghidoro from Bologna, the church follows the architectural style for similar buildings of that period throughout Europe. The Friar used an interior baroque style, whilst opting for an eclectic design on the exterior facade. The walls on the apse and its vault are decorated with neo-Byzantine frescoes, which were repainted during renovations in 1979.