Main 17 – Pafos (Paphos) – Agios Georgios, Pegeia – Lara – Baths of Aphrodite Cycling Route

The route explores the west coast of the island. Starting at the Pafos Archaeological Park and passing through the ‘Tombs of the Kings’, two of the most important archaeological sites on the island, you arrive after about 15 km, at the entrance of the Akamas peninsula. On the way there, you can make a small detour towards the Pegeia Sea Caves, a coastal area of stunning natural beauty. When you reach Akamas, not too far from its entrance you can find a path leading through the wonderful Avakas Gorge. It is worthwhile leaving your bike there for a while (you will need to have a lock with you) and walk the path. The Gorge’s impressive geological features and natural beauty definitely deserve a visit!

Continuing your ride on the route, you will pass by Lara beach, nesting ground of the caretta caretta turtles. The turtles dig nests in the soft golden sand where they lay their eggs, and if you are lucky, you might be able to catch a view of the new born turtles.

The route continues along the coast for several kilometres before climbing up into the peninsula. Arriving at the highest point of the route, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the blue Mediterranean Sea stretching on both sides of Akamas peninsula. Descending, you will reach the ‘Fontana Amosora’ area where you can enjoy a swim in the crystal, clear waters of the ‘Blue Lagoon’, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

A few kilometres further, you will reach the end of the route a fresh water spring called Loutra tis Afroditis (Baths of Aphrodite), where, according to legend, the Goddess of Love and Beauty used to take her baths.

To download the route in gpx format click here

Troodos 2 – Troodos – Psilo Dentro – Caledonia falls – Troodos Cycling Route

Starting your ride at the Troodos Square, you will immediately find yourself on quiet dirt roads offering great views of Limassol’s wine villages and the Commandaria wine area. Not too far from the start of the route (at 3km), we recommend you to take a little detour to ride up to the viewpoint of the Persephone walking nature trail, ‘Makria Kontarka’, which offers stunning views of the spread of vineyards and wine villages as far as the Lemesos port to the South.

When you return and continue on the route, you will see on your left a scar on the mountain slope left by the long since closed asbestos mine at Pano Amiantos. The Troodos Geopark Visitor Centre is located at the old Asbestos mine, an area with enormous historical value which now hosts an extraordinary botanical garden with information about the flora of the area, a seed bank of endemic species and also a plethora of evidence for the past mining activity and the community which once flourished there. The Geopark Visitor Centre is situated in the newly restored elementary school of the abandoned asbestos mine. Extensive reforestation works are ongoing in an effort to reverse the nature damage that the mine caused. The Centre’s exhibits highlight the extreme geological importance and uniqueness of the Troodos Mountain range and it is worth a visit.

Continuing along the route you will reach its lowest point and then the area Psilodentro. There, you can take a break to regain strength for the long uphill that follows. At Psilodentro there is a hiking trail which leads to the Kalidonia waterfall. There are signs pointing the way to the waterfall if you feel up to it.

The route then continues uphill to the starting point, at Troodos Square.

To download the route in gpx format click here

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.

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

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

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 District

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.
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).

Церковный музей – деревня Сотира

Расположенный в часовне Святого Георгия в деревне Сотира Церковный Музей демонстрирует такие редкие религиозные сокровища, как святые иконы (в том числе Иисуса Христа 15-го века), старые формы Евангелий, литургические книги, кресты, литургические сосуды и другие артефакты. Здесь же находится один из трех портативных деревянных алтарей 16-го века, которые существуют на Кипре.

Рядом с музеем находится церковь Преображения (Спасо-Преображенская). Это каменная сводчатая церковь, построенная на фундаменте более ранней византийской базилики.

Сама деревня играла значительную роль во времена Византии, что отражено в ряде старых церквей, существующих в непосредственной близости от нее.

Район: Аммохостос (Фамагуста)
Адрес: Деревня Сотира
Контактный No.: Тел: +357 23 823 932
Часы работы: По предварительной записи.
Период работы: Круглый год.
Закрыта в праздничные дни.
Стоимость билета: Бесплатно (принимаются пожертвования).
Веб-сайт: www.sotira.org.cy
  Часы работы, а также стоимость билетов могут быть изменены без предварительного уведомления. Посетителям рекомендуется проверить информацию перед посещением.

 

Культурный центр муниципалитета Аммохостос (Фамагуста)

Посвященный оккупации района Аммохостос (Фамагуста) Культурный Центр был создан, чтобы проводить регулярные презентации и брифинги относительно «Кипрской проблемы», возникшей в результате разделения острова после турецкого вторжения в 1974 году.

В наличии есть бинокли для просмотра оккупированного города Аммохостос (Фамагуста), а также небольшая фотовыставка.

Район: Аммохостос
Адрес: Эвагору 35, деревня Дериния
Контактный No.: Тел: +357 23 740 860, факс: +357 23 740 861
Часы работы: Летние часы работы (8.5 – 1.11):
Понедельник Пятница: 07:30 -17:00
Суббота: 07:30-15:00

Зимний режим работы (4.11 – 5.5):
Понедельник – Суббота: 07:30 – 15:00.

В эти часы Культурный центр открыт для публики. Для организованных экскурсий и экскурсий вы можете позвонить по телефону +357 23740860 или отправить электронное письмо по адресу[email protected].

Период работы: Круглый год.
Закрыт в праздничные дни.
Стоимость билета: Бесплатно
Удобства для инвалидов: Доступен для инвалидов.
Веб-сайт: www.famagusta.org.cy
  Часы работы, а также стоимость билетов могут быть изменены без предварительного уведомления. Посетителям рекомендуется проверить информацию перед посещением.

 

Территория Археологических Раскопок Древнего Идалиона

Археологические раскопки в Идалионе, в районе деревни Дали, являются одним из самых важных мест на Кипре. Богатые находки в настоящее время выставлены в некоторых из самых знаменитых музеев мира.

Древний город был основан ахейским героем Троянской войны Халканором, потомком Тевкра, основателя Саламины. Согласно легенде, в Древнем Идалионе возлюбленный Афродиты Адонис был убит из ревности Олимпийским Богом войны Аресом.

Царство процветало до середины 5го века до н.э., когда его столица была осаждена и захвачена финикийским царем Китиона. В обоих поселениях и могильниках в округе были обнаружены находки, являющиеся самыми ранними остатками человеческой жизнедеятельности в местности Агриди, начиная с 7го и 5го веков до нашей эры.

Здесь находится музей и Туристический центр, который продемонстрирует находки, а также это место связано с культурным маршрутом Афродиты.

Район: Лефкосия (никосия)
Адрес: Деревня Дали
Контактный No.: Тел: +357 22 444 818
Часы работы: Понедельник – пятница: 08:30 – 16:00
Закрыта по выходным.
Период работы: Круглый год.
Закрыта в праздничные дни.
Стоимость билета: €2,50
Для организованных групп, состоящих из более 10 человек скидка на входные билеты 20%.
Департамент древностей выдает специальные карточки входа для всех своих музеев и древних памятников: Один (1) день действия карты – €8,50, три (3) дня – €17,00, семь (7) дней – €25,00.
Удобства для инвалидов: Доступна для инвалидов.
Веб-сайт: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Часы работы, а также стоимость билетов могут быть изменены без предварительного уведомления. Посетителям рекомендуется проверить информацию перед посещением.