Category: Discover Cyprus

Byzantine Museum of the Holy Bishopric of Tamasos and Oreinis

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The Byzantine Museum of Holy Bishopric of Tamasos and Oreinis is situated inside the Bishopric Palace, in the community of Episkopeio, Lefkosia  (Nicosia).

In the Museum byzantine and post-byzantine artefacts are exhibited, dating from the 5th to the early 20th centuries. Among them you can find icons, liturgical objects, priestly habits, manuscripts, coins, ceramic and other religious objects, mostly coming from several communities of the bishopric region.

The most interesting artefacts are: dedicatory inscription of a paleochristian building from Tamasos (5th century), wooden painted cross (13th century), brass reliquary cross (10th century), brass dishes (15th – 16th century), part of the numismatic hoard of Achera (12th century), Lectionary manuscript (16th century), etc.

Region: Lefkosia
Address: Stavros Stylianides Avenue, 2642 Episkopeio, Lefkosia
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 465 465 and +357 99 774 770
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 13:00
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Free
Disabled Access: Accessible for people in wheelchairs.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/byzantine.museum.tamasos
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

Byzantine Museum of the Holy Bishopric of Tamasos and Oreinis

Posted on | by Christos | Leave a Comment on Byzantine Museum of the Holy Bishopric of Tamasos and Oreinis

The Byzantine Museum of Holy Bishopric of Tamasos and Oreinis is situated inside the Bishopric Palace, in the community of Episkopeio, Lefkosia  (Nicosia).

In the Museum byzantine and post-byzantine artefacts are exhibited, dating from the 5th to the early 20th centuries. Among them you can find icons, liturgical objects, priestly habits, manuscripts, coins, ceramic and other religious objects, mostly coming from several communities of the bishopric region.

The most interesting artefacts are: dedicatory inscription of a paleochristian building from Tamasos (5th century), wooden painted cross (13th century), brass reliquary cross (10th century), brass dishes (15th – 16th century), part of the numismatic hoard of Achera (12th century), Lectionary manuscript (16th century), etc.

Region: Lefkosia
Address: Stavros Stylianides Avenue, 2642 Episkopeio, Lefkosia
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 465 465 and +357 99 774 770
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 13:00
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Free
Disabled Access: Accessible for people in wheelchairs.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/byzantine.museum.tamasos
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

Troodos 1 – Troodos – Agios Nikolaos Stegis – Troodos Cycling Route

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This route descends from Troodos square to the monastery of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis and climbs steadily from the chromium quarry on the Troodos – Karvounas road, back to Troodos square.

After the Prodromos crossroads, the route goes along a forest road to Agios Nikolaos. From there the it goes along the paved road from Kakopetria to Karvounas, turns right and then climbs Troodos. After almost 9 kilometers of steep uphill the route goes past the Troodos Geopark Information Center in Amiantos. It then reaches the Troodos – Prodromos road and turns left to return to Troodos square.

Difficulty rate: A very difficult route. It requires a 20-speed road bike in good condition.
Road condition: Paved throughout.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 37.7km
Elevation Gain: 1635m
Highest point: 1824m
Lowest point: 726m
Loop: YES
Terrain: Mountain
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Troodos Square 0,0 0,0
Prodromos 8,2 8,2
Ag. Nikolaos tis Stegis 11,6 19,8
Kakopetria 2,6 22,4
Platania 4,5 26,9
Karvounas 2,3 29,2
Pano Amiantos 2,3 31,5
Troodos Square 6,2 37,7

Ammochostos 1 – Agia Napa – Pyrgos Xylofagou Cycling Route

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This excursion does the round from Agia Napa to Xylofagou and comes back along the Xylofagou – Agia Napa road.
The route begins at the little harbour of Agia Napa and climbs towards the north until it reaches the traffic lights where it turns left and to the west, going along the bicycle path on the left hand side of the road. It then goes past Makronisos on the dirt road that leads to the Agia Thekla chapel and the fishing shelter by the Potamos Liopetriou.
Heading south it goes round Cape Pyla, until it reaches the Xylofagou Medieval Tower. From there it takes a northern course to reach the outskirts of Xylofagou and turns right and to the east taking the Xylofagou – Agia Napa road back to Agia Napa.

Difficulty rate: An easy route but it requires a 21-speed mountain bike.
Road condition: A combination of paved and unpaved roads.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 38.1Km
Elevation Gain: 78m
Highest point: 51m
Lowest point: 1m
Loop: YES
Terrain: Flat
Road surface: Mixed
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Agia Napa 0,0 0,0
Potamos Liopetriou 11,4 11,4
Xylofagou Medieval Tower 4,4 15,8
Xylofagou 2,8 18,6
Liopetri 5,4 24,0
Agia Napa 14,1 38,1

Ezousa Walking Trail (Circular), Pafos (Paphos) District Nature Trail

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GPS coordinates of the starting point: Lat: 34.791653 Lon: 32.523179
GPS coordinates of the ending point: Lat: 34.791653 Lon: 32.523179
Altitude of the starting point: 247m
Altitude of the highest peak: 247m
Altitude of the end peak: 247m
Starting point: Environmental Information Centre of Episkopi, Pafos (Paphos).
Length: 7.6km
Estimated duration: 3 hours
Difficulty rate: 2 (downhill and uphill gradient around Ezousa Valley)

 

Points of interest: The Environmental Information Centre houses exhibition areas with scenes and exhibits, as well as showing documentaries about the natural environment and biodiversity of the surrounding area.

There are excellent views along the way but the most impressive view is from the “Rock” on which the village church, devoted Saint Ilarion the Great, is built. Here, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Ezousa Valley below as well as taking in the beauty of nature itself. From this particular point, visibility extends to the Pafos forest and the mountain range of Troodos. The trail crosses over the Ezousa Valley at a certain point with lush growth, especially Oriental Plane Tree and Oriental Alder which offer shade to travelers on hot summer days, making the walk a unique and pleasant experience.

Flora: While walking you can study these indigenous plants: Cyprus cyclamen (Cyclamen cyprium), Bosea (Bosea cypria), Oleander (Nerium oleander), Oriental alder (Alnus orientalis), Oriental plane tree (Platanus orientalis), Oak tree (Quercus infectoria), Locust tree (Ceratonia siliqua), Terebinths (Pistacia Terebinthus), Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), Spiny broom (Calicotome villosa).

Ecclesiastical Museum – Sotira village

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Located in the chapel of Saint George in Sotira village, the Ecclesiastical Museum exhibits important religious treasures, such as sacred icons (including one of Jesus Christ from the 15th century), old forms Gospels, liturgical books, crosses, liturgical vessels and others artefacts. It also houses one of only three portable wooden altars of the 16th century that exist in Cyprus.

Next to the museum is the church of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros (Transfiguration of the Saviour). This stone-built, single-aisle, vaulted church was built above the foundations of an earlier Byzantine basilica temple.

The village itself was significant during Byzantine times, which is reflected in the number of old churches there are in the vicinity of the village.

Region: Ammochostos (Famagusta)
Address: Sotira village
Contact No: Tel: +357 23 823 932
Operating Hours: By appointment.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Free (donations accepted)
Website: www.sotira.org.cy
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

 

Cultural Centre of Famagusta (Ammochostos) Municipality

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The Cultural Centre of Occupied Ammochostos (Famagusta) was created to host regular presentations and briefings regarding the prevailing ‘Cyprus Problem’ – the resulting division of the island following the Turkish invasion of 1974.

Binoculars are available for viewing the occupied city of Ammochostos, and there is also a small photographic exhibition.

Region: Ammochostos
Address: Evagorou, 35, Deryneia village
Contact No: Tel: +357 23 740 860, Fax: +357 23 740 861
Operating Hours: Summer opening hours (8.5 – 1.11):
Monday ­ Friday: 07:30 ­-17:00
Saturday: 07:30-15:00 

Winter operning hours (4.11 – 5.5):
Monday  – Saturday: 07:30 ­-15:00
During these hours the Cultural Center is open to the public.  For organized and guided tours, you can call +357 23740860 or send an email to [email protected]
Operating Period: All year round
Closed on Public Holidays
Entrance Fee: Free
Disabled Access: Wheelchair accessible
Website: www.famagusta.org.cy
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

Ancient Idalion Archaeological Site

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The archaeological site of Idalion, in the Dali Village area, is one of the most important sites in Cyprus, with many of its rich findings now exhibited in some of the most renown museums of the world.

The ancient city was founded by the Achaean hero of the Trojan war, Chalcanor – descendant of Teucer, the founder of Salamis. According to legend, Ancient Idalion is where Adonis – Aphrodite’s lover – was killed by her jealous lover Aris, the Olympian God of War.

The kingdom flourished until the middle of the 5th century BC, when its capital was besieged and captured by the Phoenician kings of Kition. Finds have been unearthed from both settlements and cemeteries in the region, with the earliest remains of human occupation found at the locality of Agridi, dating back to the 7th and 5th centuries BC.

The site houses a museum and Visitor Centre, which showcase its finds, and is also linked with the Aphrodite Cultural Route.

Region: Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Address: Dali village
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 444 818
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 08:30 – 16:00
Closed on weekends.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: €2,50
For organised groups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards – €8,50, three (3) day entry cards – €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards – €25,00.
Disabled Access: Wheelchair accessible.
Website: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
 

European Mediterranean Route EuroVelo 8

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Discover and enjoy the natural beauty of the island from the pedal of a bike with our suggested itineraries, all created to put you on the ‘right track’ and showcase Cyprus’ stunning landscape.

Cyprus is also part of the cofunded project ‘MedCycleTour’, which is based on the ‘European Mediterranean Route – EuroVelo 8’, one of the 15 long distance cycle routes in the network ‘EuroVelo’ that connects 11 countries. ‘MedCycleTour’ aims to develop cycle tourism in the Mediterranean region by providing transnational tools to attract visitors. The project is cofunded by the Interreg Mediterranean Programme, the project has a budget of over €2,5 million.

The MedCycleRoute project will contribute to the development of the EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean Route by exchanging good practices; surveying the existing cycle route; developing regional and transnational action plans; preparing and publishing promotional material related to EuroVelo 8; and implementing pilot projects such as signposting, promotional tools (web sites, apps, etc.) and cycle friendly schemes.

Lead by the Andalusian Government – Agency of Public Works, Andalusian Ministry of Development and Housing (Spain) -, the project has 10 other partners from 7 countries, besides the Deputy Ministry of Tourism. The European Cyclists´ Federation (Belgium), Alpes Maritimes (France), Catalonia Region (Spain), Western Greece (Greece), Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Italy), Province of Mantova (Italy), Regional Development Center of Koper (Slovenia), Croatian National Tourism Board (Croatia) and the Cluster for Eco-Social Innovation and Development (Croatia).

For more information about EuroVelo please visit: www.eurovelo.com

For more information about EuroVelo 8 please visit: www.eurovelo8.com

For more information about MedCycleTour project please visit: https://medcycletour.interreg-med.eu/ or please contact Thalia Christodoulidou at [email protected].

Happy cycling!

Vasilikos Maroni Panorama

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The route starts from the village of Kalavasos with a slight uphill ascent towards the village of Asgata. Pass through the narrow streets of the village and continue uphill to Vasa, Sanida and then to Kellaki. Woodland areas and unique views will be encountered along the way. Ride downhill to reach the Eptagoneia Village and the small picturesque village of Akapnou. Continue towards Ora, Lageia, Vavla and ride further downhill to Choirokoitia. Pass through the village of the picturesque and beautiful Tochni to reach the starting point in Kalavasos.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Distance: 57.6km
Elevation Gain: 1169m
Highest point: 724m
Lowest point: 65m
Loop: YES
Terrain: Mountain
Road surface: Paved
Section Distance (km) Total Distance (km)
Kalavasos 0,0 0,0
Asgada 6.6 6.6
Vasa 5.1 11.7
Sanida 3.6 15.3
Kellaki 4.1 19.4
Eptagonia 4.5 23.9
Akapnou 3.0 26.9
Ora 3.5 30.4
Lageia 6.3 36.7
Vavla 2.4 39.1
Choirokoitia 9.7 48.8
Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement 0.0 48.8
Tochni 2.8 51.6
Kalavasos 6.0 57.6