Discover the numerous monasteries on the island and immerse yourself in their faith, history, and culture. By their distinctive architecture, the biblical narrative displayed in antique icons and frescoes, the wealth of ecclesiastical museums, and a Byzantine treasure trove of 10 painted mountain churches that are so religiously valuable that they are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You cannot help but experience inner tranquilly and quiet, as well as a feeling of occasion, when you visit such historical and religious sites. For individuals who are accustomed to praying or who are spiritually inclined, these monasteries offer something additional.
Monasteries
Trooditissa Monastery
Trooditissa Monastery, located on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains, is one of the few monasteries in Cyprus for which the date of foundation is unclear. On the basis of local legend, it is thought that it was founded immediately after the iconoclastic period (8th-9th century A.D.).
The Timios Prodromos Monastery (St. John the Baptist) is located in the Troodos woodland region near Mesa Potamos. The Monastery “is nestled among lovely mountains covered in dense pine trees, with springs of pure water beside a little river or a large downpour.”
The monastery of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis is located in the valley of Marathasa, a key region of the Troodos mountain range. It is constructed on the east bank of the Setrachos River, opposite the settlement of Kalopanagiotis. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985, among nine other painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos mountain range.
The church of Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis is located in the upper Solea valley in a central location of the Troodos mountain range. It is located around two kilometres southwest of the settlement of Kakopetria on the west bank of the river Klarios/Karkotis.
The church of Archangel Michael is located in a central region of the Troodos mountain range, in the Marathasa valley, in the village of Pedoulas. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985, among nine other painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos mountain range.
The Transfiguration of the Savior Church is located in the eastern portion of the Troodos Mountains. It is situated on a tiny hill overlooking the eastern portion of Palaichori hamlet. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.
The church of Panagia Phorbiotissa, also known as Panagia of Asinou, is located in the Troodos mountain range’s northern foothills. It is constructed on the east side of a stream, three kilometres south of Nikitari.
The Panagia Podithou church is located in a central region of the Troodos mountain range, in the upper Solea valley in the settlement of Galata. A few hundred metres to the north of the village of Galata, it is built in a narrow and rich river valley along the Klarios/Karkotis river.
The church of Panagia tou Arakos is located in a central region of the Troodos mountains, in the Pitsilia region between the towns of Lagoudera and Saranti. It was included to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985, together with nine other painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos mountain range.
The church of Panagia is situated in a central area of the Troodos mountain range, in the valley of Marathasa.It is located on a hill above the village of Moutoullas.In 1985 it was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which includes nine other painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos range.
The church of Timios Stavros tou Agiasmati is located in the eastern portion of the Troodos mountain range in the region of Pitsilia, approximately five kilometres northeast of the settlement of Platanistsa.
The church of Timios Stavros is situated in a central area of the Troodos mountain range, at the south end of the village of Pelendri, which is attested in the sources since the late 12th century.