Route: Tala – Panagia – Statos – Κοuklia – Pano Archimandrita.

In the Egkleistra of Agios Neophytos, built next to the hermitage of Agios Neophytos – who was a Cypriot hermit – there are wonderful frescoes of the 12th century, some of which were made by Theodoros Apsevdis, a Constantinopolitan painter.

Near Panagia lies another big monastery of Pafos, Panagia Chrysorogiatissa, with some very well preserved buildings dating back to Turkish rule. In Moni, there is also an Ecclesiastical Museum, which houses treasures of the monastery. Heading south, visitors will come across the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, which is also known as the Holy Monastery or the Monastery of the Holy (‘Ton Iereon’) built in the 10th century. Tradition has it that Agios Nikolaos set off from this Monastery.

In Kouklia, there are two hermitages one of which is also called old ‘Egkleistra’ of Agios Neophytos.

Μonuments: Μonastery / Egkleistra of Agios Neophytos, Τala – Μonastery of Panagia Chrysorogiatissa, Panagia – Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, Statos – “Old Egkleistra” Hermitage, Κouklia and Hermitage of Agion Pateron, Pano Archimandrita.

Total route length: 100 km.

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It is no coincidence that Cyprus ­ the island of beauty, where according to Greek myth the goddess Aphrodite was born ­ was chosen as the first place to receive the great message of the new faith on the advent of Christianity. The island became the gateway through which the message of the Gospels spread throughout the length and breadth of the Ecumene. The first mission of the apostles Paul and Barnabas (the latter of Cypriot descent) occurred here in accordance with the will and wish of God: “…being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 12, 4).

This divine ‘choice’ – at the same time an ornament and endowment for the country – is expressed through the many monuments dedicated to prayer and devotion, but also through the plethora of holy men connected with the saintly island, thus endowing it with the expression ‘Cyprus the island of saints’.

Discover the churches, chapels and monasteries of the island, and immerse yourself in their journey of faith, history and culture. Through their unique structures; the biblical stories told in ancient icons and frescos; rich Ecclesiastical museums, and a Byzantine treasure trove of 10 painted mountain churches ­ so religiously priceless that they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage List – you cannot fail to feel uplifted, and for your heart to fill with enlightenment, serenity and devotion.

To access the full brochure detailing all the religious routes, click here.

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Larnaka (Larnaca) – Kiti – Amathounta – Kourio – Pafos (Paphos) – Agios  Georgios  Pegeias – Salamina – Pegeia then Larnaka, ­ Pegeia, Stavrovouni – Omodos and Larnaka – Tsada.

This route is related to a significant part of the religious history of Cyprus since the passage of these two apostles from Cyprus formed one of the most significant historical facts of the island.

The route gives visitors the opportunity to visit significant churches such as that of Agios Lazaros in Larnaka, Panagia Aggeloktisti in Kiti, old­-Christian basilicas in Amathounta, Kourion and Pafos as well as the great stele where, according to tradition, Apostolos Pavlos was tied and whipped 40 times minus one. At the same time, in the course of this route, visitors will have the opportunity to also visit many ancient buildings which were connected to the Apostles.

Monuments: Monastery of Agios Lazaros in Larnaka, Church of Aggeloktisti in Kiti, Old–Christian basilicas in Amathounta, Kourio, Pafos and Pegeia.

This tour has different parts, therefore its total length varies.

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A genuine Byzantine treasure trove is nestled in the mountain range of Troodos, and reveals the island’s religious heritage through Holy buildings that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. With the island situated at crucial crossroads of the Eastern Mediterranean, the land is characterised by one of the greatest concentrations of churches and grandiose monasteries of the former Byzantine Empire.

With 10 of these beautifully painted churches included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, days out can be spent driving through the areas of Pitsilia, Solea and Marathasa to uncover the stories of their origins, which are as fascinating as the structures themselves. Unique steep-pitched timber roofs shelter chunky wooden doors that open up onto an array of vivid icons and frescos depicting saints, Apostles and stories from the Bible in all their colourful glory.

The sequence of churches dedicated to the Holy Cross is particularly significant. They pay tribute to Agia Eleni, Mother of Constantine the Great, who passed through Cyprus when returning from the Holy Land and was integral in paving the path of Christianity on the island.

PITSILIA
1.   Stavros tou Agiasmati
2.   Metamorfosis tou Sotiros
3.   Timios Stavros
4.   Panagia tou Araka

SOLEA
5.   Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis
6.   Panagia Podithou
7.   Panagia Asinou

MARATHASA
8.   Agios Ioannis Lambadistis
9.   Panagia tou Moutoulla
10. Archangelos Michael

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Μoni Stavrovouniou – Tochni – Lefkara – Pelendri – Kouka – Omodos – Anogyra – Tsada.

The route starts from Moni Stavrovouniou, which has, however, the rule of ‘avato’ meaning that it is inaccessible to women. The church of Timios Stavros in Tochni is the only church built on a bridge, the church of Pelendri with the same name has magnificent frescoes of the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. In Omodos, the visitor will see a piece of the rope used to tie Jesus on the cross.

Monuments: Monastery of Timios Stavros in Stavrovouni, Churches of Timios Stavros in Tochni, Lefkara, Pelendri, Kouka, Monasteries of Timios Stavros in Anogyra and Tsada and Monastery of Timios Stavros Minthis in Tsada.

Τhe total route length is not fixed.

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The basic West route is: Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Peristerona – Kalopanagiotis – Monastery of Panagia tou Kykkou – Panagia (Chrysorogiatissa) – Τala – Empa – Κato Pafos (Paphos) – Geroskipou – Τimi – Kouklia – Κourio – Κolossi – Lemesos (Limassol) – Pyrga – Pera Chorio and Lefkosia.

It is impressive that despite the fact that Cyprus was conquered by many peoples, not only did it preserve the monuments, but also continued to create more with only some influences from the conquerors. The Byzantine art was present on the island from 726-843 AD, although due to the iconoclasm, the most significant monument, which has been salvaged, is the ornament of the eastern dome of the five-domed church in Geroskipou. From the 10th century and up to this day, the Byzantine art both flourished and survived. All proposed monuments of the route are considered to be significant. In Peristerona you will also visit the other five-domed church (there are only two).

Monuments: the Church of Agion Varnava and Ilariona in Peristerona, Monastery of Agios Ioannis tou Lampadisti in Kalopanagiotis, Monastery of Chrysorogiatissa in Pano Panagia, Monastery of Agios Neophytos in Tala, Church of Panagia Chryseleousa in Empa, Church of Agia Kyriaki in Pafos, Church of Agia Paraskevi in Geroskipou, Church of Agia Sofia in Timi, Church of Panagia Katholiki in Kouklia, Church of Agios Efstathios in Kolossi, Monastery of Timios Stavros in Stavrovouni, Royal Chapel in Pyrga and Churches of Agios Georgios and Agios Dimitrianos in Dali.

Total route length: 280 km.

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The East Route passes from: Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Pera Chrorio – Kellia – Sotira – Paralimni – Agia Napa – Larnaka (Larnaca) – Kiti – Kivisili – Monastery of Stavrovouni – Pyrga and Dali.

The route starts from Lefkosia and heads south with its first stop being at Pera Chorio for the Church of Agion Apostolon, where there are frescoes of the 12th century. In Kellia, the church of Agios Antonios houses wonderful frescoes of the 11th and 13th centuries. Another stop is made in Larnaka for the church of Agios Lazaros built in 900 AD and, of course, for all the proposed monuments, which represent Byzantine art in various periods. Some of the monuments are common in both routes.

Monuments: Church of Agios Antonios in Kellia, Church of Agios Mamas in Church of Metamorfosis in Sotira, Church of Panagia and Church of Agia Marina in Paralimni, Monastery of Agia Napa in Agia Napa, Church of Agios Lazaros in Larnaka, Church of Aggeloktisti in Kiti, Church of Panagia in Kivisili, Monastery of Timios Stavros in Stavrovouni and Royal Chapel in Pyrga.

Total route length: 214 km.

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Not far away, in the same direction, is the village of Kiti and its main point of interest the church of Panagia Angeloktisti. According to local tradition, while building the church an army of angels was coming down at night to help build it; hence the name ‘Angeloktisti’ (‘built by Angels’). On the conch of the apse lays the famous mosaic of Panagia tis Aggeloktistis of the 6th c. A.D. This mosaic is considered to be one of the most significant and elaborate wall mosaics of Early Christian art, depicting the Virgin standing, holding baby Jesus in her left arm, with the Archangelos Michael and Gabriel on either side.

In a short distance to the west of Kiti (just of the B4 road) lies the Turkish Cypriot village of Kivisili. At the center of the village is the church of Panagia Eleousa, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Next stop in our visit is the church of St. Catherine in Klavdia, which was converted into a mosque during Ottoman Empire in Cyprus. Our route takes us to the ruined cloister of “Panagia Stazousa”. Today, only the church remains intact with its characteristic gothic ornaments and fragments of frescoes in the interior.

Further to the north towards Pyrga village, we will visit the Royal Chapel. Considered to be one of the most interesting surviving structures from the Frankish Period on the island, the Royal Chapel was built in 1421 by the Lusignan King Janus and its mural decoration includes a series of coats-of-arms of the Medieval Kingdom of Cyprus.

The route ends at the monastery of Stavrovouni which is perched on a synonymous rocky peak. Legend has it that it was founded in the 4th century by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, who left a relic of the Holy Cross at the monastery.

Monuments: Church of Agios Lazaros in Larnaka (Larnaca), Hala Sultan Tekke at Dromolaxia, Church of Panagia Angeloktisti in Kiti, Church of Panagia in Kisivili, Church / Mosque of Agia Aikaterini in Klavdia, Gothic Church of Panagia Stazousa and Royal Chapel in Pyrga and Monastery of Stavrovouni.

Total route length: 70 km.

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The route: Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Pyrga – Monastery of Stavrovouni – Bishopric of Lemesos (Limassol) – Τimi – Pafos (Paphos), Ktima – Chrysochou – Poli Chrysochous – Pelathousa and Lysos.

Starting from Lefkosia, you reach Pyrga to visit the royal Latin chapel with Byzantine frescoes and then move on to Stavrovouni to visit the Monastery of Timios Stavros, where a piece of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified is kept. Thereafter, you pass Lemesos and Kourio to reach Timi, where you will visit a small church that was converted into a mosque under Turkish rule. In Ktima, you once again come across a mosque, which used to be an Orthodox church dedicated to Agia Sofia. During the entire route, you will come across many monuments, which relate to the multi-cultural side of Cyprus.

Monuments: Royal Chapel and Church of Agia Marina, Pyrga – Church / Mosque of Agios Georgios, Bishopric of Lemesos – Mosque / Church of Agia Sofia, Τimi – Church / Mosque of Agia Sofia, Κtima, Pafos- Mosque / Church of Agios Nikolaos, Chrysohou – Mosque / Church of Agios Andronikos, Polis Chrysochous – Mosque / Church of Agia Aikaterini and Church of Panagia Pelathousa Chortainis – Church of Panagia Chryseleousa, Lysos.

Total route length: 82 km.

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Route: Lefkosia.

Starting from the church of Agios Ioannis tou Theologou, which is full of beautiful frescoes, we move on to the Omeriye Mosque, built under Frankish rule to cover the needs of the Augustinians (Catholic Order). A walk in the old city of Lefkosia gives the opportunity to all those interested to visit a large number of Orthodox churches, as well as more modern churches of the Catholics, the Maronites and, little further away, of the Anglicans. An interesting place to visit is also the small mosque of Bayraktar (standard bearer) which was built at the place where a Turkish standard bearer had placed his flag in 1570, during the siege of the city.

Monuments: Bayraktar Mosque, Cathedral of Agios Ioannis tou Theologou, Omeriye Mosque, Mosque / Church of Timios Stavros Missirikou – Church of the Catholics, Maronites and the Anglicans – Church of Panagia Chrysaliniotissa – Church of Agios Kassianos – Archangel Michael.

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