Troodos Religious Interest

It might look like you can’t see the churches for the trees, but the Troodos region is actually quite renowned for its collection of ten Byzantine churches, which are all included in the official UNESCO World Heritage Sights.

Stavros tou Agiasmati
About three kilometers outside of Platanistasa Village, you’ll find this fifteenth century church, which still has an original and almost complete set of mural paintings from the latter part of the fifteenth century.

Panagia Tou Araka
This is one the most important churches in Cyprus, in that its frescoes reflect one of the most beautiful examples of the late Comnenian style. Dating back to the twelfth century, it is considered an equal to the same styles found in Greece, the Balkans and Russia. Look for it close to Lagoudera Village.

Timiou Stavrou
Found in Pelendri Village, this region is doubly important; not only did it belong to Jean de Lusignan, son of the Lusignan King Hugh, but it also showcases two beautifully historic churches. The first is the fourteenth century church of Timiou Stavrou with its inspiring wall paintings while the second is the church of Panagia Katholiki, dating back to the sixteenth century with its sixteenth century Italo-Byzantine paintings.

Agios Nikolaos Tis Stegis
Directly translated, this church is called “Saint Nicholas of the Roof” and is found just outside the beautiful little village of Kakopetria. The walls are completely covered with painted murals ranging from the eleventh to the seventeenth centuries.

Panagia Podithou
If you really like ecclesiastical history, then the four churches found in the village of Galata will definitely answer your prayers. The church of Agios Sozomenos, from the sixteenth century still has a complete set of frescoes reflecting a post-Byzantine style. The church of Archangel Michael, just below the village, is a timber roofed chapel also painted in a post-Byzantine style. Built in 1502 and close by, is the church of Panagia Podithou. It originally belonged to a monastery and its artwork is that of the Italo-Byzantine period. The fourth church of the region, is the tiny chapel of Agia Paraskevi showing murals dating back to 1514.

Panagia Tis Asinou
Five kilometers away from the village of Nikitari, you’ll find a twelve century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary; this church is exceptional not only because of its age, but also because it has some of the most precious examples of Byzantine mural painting in the country.

Agios Ioannis Lampadistis
If you’re near the village of Kalopanagiotis on the fourth of October, visit the church of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis, as everyone will be celebrating the feast day of Saint John. You’ll see why the village is famous for its sulphur springs, but you’ll also discover a church with excellent frescos from the thirteenth century onwards.

Panagia Tou Moutoulla
Close to Kalopanagiotis, you’ll find the village of Moutoullas, with one of the smallest chapels in Cyprus, dating back to the thirteenth century. In fact, this chapel has one of the oldest examples of a steep-pitched wooden roof, with its frescos dating back to 1280.

Archangel Michael
Pedoulas is one of the prettiest villages in Cyprus, with its alpine climate and stunning cherry blossoms in the spring time; it’s also home to the painted church of the Archangel Michael, which was built in 1474.

Metamorphosis tou Sotiros
Also known as the church of “Transfiguration of the Saviour,” this sixteen century chapel is right on the hill with a breathtaking view of the beautiful old village of Palaichori. When you walk inside the church, you’ll see that the entire inside has been painted with a series of murals dating to the post-Byzantine era. The village also houses an Ecclesiastical Museum as well as museum dedicated to EOKA’s heroes, who fought for Cyprus’ independence.