Points of interest: The route follows a forest road that connects Trooditissa Monastery with the beautiful village of Foini, with exceptional views towards the village along the way. The trail crosses the Trooditissa River and leads you to the route’s main attraction, the Chantara waterfall (eight metres high), then passes by vertical cliffs before the journey ends on the Foini – Agios Dimitrios road, right outside Foini. The entire trail is located within Troodos National Forest Park, which is a Natura 2000 area.

Flora: While hiking you can study (amongst other plants) the indigenous plants: Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia), strawberry tree (Arbutus adrachnae), and the endemic golden oak (Quercus alnifolia).

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Points of interest: The trail passes through rows of Black Pine trees (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana). At various points along the trail there are panoramic views of the Marathasa valley, Morfou Bay, Kykkos Monastery, Tripylos and Vouni Panagias. At Zoumi, the path joins with the Fragma Prodromou­ – Stavroulia nature trail. The path can also be circular if the walker chooses the Prodromos – Troodos road, with an extra distance of 2.7 kilometres. The trail is located within the Troodos National Forest Park.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Manouthkia (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers), Troodos sage (Salvia willeana), Cyprus Germander (Teucrium cyprium subsp. cyprium).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Montpellier snake.

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Points of interest: The trail offers a wonderful view of Morfou Bay and the Troodos mountain range, and a panoramic view of the abandoned chrome mining tunnels. The trail passes through an incredibly dense black pine forest and is located within the Troodos National Forest Park. On the west side of the dam there is a picnic site ‘Fragma Prodromou’ and the ‘Marathos’ picnic site is found on the Agios Nikolaos ­ – Prodromos road.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Troodos catmint (Nepeta troodi), Cyprus germander (Teucrium cyprium subsp. cyprium), Troodos Alison (Alyssum troodi).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler  (Εndemic), Cyprus wheatear (Εndemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus snake (endemic).

The post Fragma (Dam) Prodromou – Stavroulia (Linear) – Lemesos (Limassol) / Lefkosia (Nicosia) Districts, Troodos Forest Nature Trail appeared first on Visit Cyprus.

Points of interest: The trail begins at the source of the Karkotis River and crosses through the river’s beautiful valley, passing near the closed chrome mine and ending in Kakopetria. On the way, you can visit the Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis church (12th century) that boasts exquisite frescoes; it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the church, if you follow the Pedoulas – Kakopetria road for about three kilometres, you will end up in Kakopetria. The trail is located within the Troodos National Forest Park.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Shrubby knapweed (Ptilostemon chamaepeuce var. cyprius), Golden oak (Quercus alnifolia), Purple Rock Cress (Arabis purpurea), ‘Manouthkia’  (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers), Thyme (Thymus integer).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Eurasian jay, Wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler  (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus lizard, Black whip snake, Montpellier snake.

The post Kannoures – Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (Linear) – Lemesos (Limassol) / Lefkosia (Nicosia) Districts, Troodos Forest Nature Trail appeared first on Visit Cyprus.

Points of interest:  Of particular interest on this route are the churches of Panagia tou Araka (1192 AD) and Stavros tou Agiasmati (1494 AD) which boast outstanding frescoes and are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The trail passes through a pine forest, vineyards, almond trees and old stone structures. To the east of the trail you will see Kionia peak. To the north you will see the Morfou plain and Pentadaktylos mountain range. To the west, you will see Troodos, and to the south you will see Madari. The trail connects with the Lagoudera or Agros – Madari trail. At the entrance of the Panagia tou Araka church you will find a 700 year ­old oak tree.

Flora: While hiking you can study the endemic plants: Thyme (Thymus integer), Shrubby knapweed (Ptilostemon chamaepeuce var. cyprius), ‘Manouthkia’ (Pterocephalus multiflorus subsp. multiflorus – an evergreen small shrub with pale pink flowers), Cyprus skullcap (Scutellaria cypria subsp. cypria).

Fauna: The main species of fauna found in the area are:

Mammals: Fox, hare, hedgehog.

Birds: Bonelli’s eagle, Wood pigeon, partridge, Cyprus warbler (endemic), Cyprus wheatear (endemic).

Reptiles: Cyprus viper, Cyprus lizard, Cyprus chameleon, Black whip snake

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The Walking Tour (City Route) of ‘A Stroll in Neapolis, Nemesos, Limassol… Lemesos’ is designed to acquaint visitors with one of Lemesos’ most important features – the seafront area known as ‘Molos’ or ‘Embankment’.

Traditionally a meeting point for the locals (Lemesiani), this area was turned into an open-air Sculpture Park, which exhibits works of art by Cypriot, Greek and international artists.

The tour also takes participants past the old port, and Lemesos Castle, which is now a museum on the Medieval history of Cyprus. It continues through the surrounding area – home to interesting stone-built warehouses, many of which have become restaurants and exhibition halls.

The walk then visits the sites of Great Mosque or Kepir Mosque, the Cathedral of Agia Napa, the Municipal Market and the traditional shopping centre of Agiou Andreou – now a quaint, pedestrian area.

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Route: Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Pera Chorio – Kellia – Sotira – Paralimni – Agia Napa – Larnaka (Larnaca) – Dromolaxia – Kisivili – Klavdia – Pyrga – Lefkosia.

On this tour, visitors have the opportunity to view not only churches and monasteries of the Byzantine period and later, but also churches which under turkish rule were converted into mosques.

An interesting and significant place to visit is the Um Haram Mosque, a significant Muslim monument built after the death of Um Haram, who, as tradition has it, was a relative of Muhammed himself.

In Kiti, the church of Panagia tis Aggeloktistis has a mosaic of the 6th century AD. The Monastery of Stavrovouni is a men’s monastery which, according to tradition, was established by Agia Eleni, the mother of Constantine the Great and there lies a piece from the Holy Cross.

Μonuments: Church of Agion Apostolon, Lefkosia – Church of Agios Antonios, Kellia – Churches of Transfiguration (Metamorphoseos) of Agios Mamas, Agios Georgios Chortakion, Panagia Chortakion, Sotira – Churches of Panagia-Agia Anna, and Agia Marina, Paralimni – Monastery of Agia Napa, Agia Napa – Church of Agios Lazaros, Larnaka – Um Haram Mosque or Hala Sultan Mosque, Dromolaxia – Church of Panagia Aggeloktisti, Kiti – Church of Panagia, Kisivili – Church / Mosque Agia Aikaterini, Klavdia – Gothic Church of Panagia Stazousa, Royal Chapel and Agia Marina – Monastery of Stavrovouni, Pyrga.

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Route: Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Peristerona – Kalopanagiotis – Κampos – Panagia – Τala – Empa – Pafos (Paphos) / Ktima – Κato Pafos – Geroskipou – Κouklia – Κolossi – Lemesos (Limassol) – Pyrga – Pera Chorio – Lefkosia.

A walk in the greater region will help visitors view various samples of ecclesiastical art, starting from Peristerona and the five-domed church of Agion Varnava and Ilariona. Heading towards Kalopanagiotis, visitors will come across the Monastery of Ioannis o Lampadistis, which is of unique beauty, and where three churches coexist in a single area. Kykkos Monastery is offered for the worship of the icon of Virgin Mary, which, as tradition has it, is a work of Apostolos Loukas.

The course continues towards Pafos and the Monastery of Panagia tis Chrysorrogiatissas, the Egkleistra (enclosure carved out of the mountain) of Agios Neophytos, and the church of Panagia tis Chryseleousas in Empa. When arriving at Pafos, visitors will be able to visit the church of Agia Sofia, which was converted into a mosque under Frankish rule, and in Kato Pafos, the Basilica of Chrysopolitissa – one of the biggest basilicas in Cyprus.

The second and last five-domed church of Cyprus is located in Geroskipou, and is dedicated to Agia Paraskevi, while in Palaipafos – in the village of Kouklia – the church of Panagia tis Katholikis is located very near the ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite, the worship of whom was replaced by that of Virgin Mary.

On the way back to Lefkosia, the route passes from the small church of Agios Efstathios and the impressive Monastery of Stavrovouni, with the strict ritual of Mount Athos, which – according to tradition – is a creation of Agia Eleni.

The wonderfully frescoed church of Agion Apostolon in Pera Chorio, which is the last stop of this route, is an interesting place to visit.

Μonuments: Church of Agion Varnava and Ilariona, Peristerona – Μonastery of Ioannis o Lampadistis, Kalopanagiotis – Μonastery of Panagia tou Kykkou, Κampos – Monastery of Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa, Panagia – Μonastery and Egkleistra of Agios Neophytos, Τala – Church of Panagia Chryseleousa, Empa – Mosque / Church of Agia Sofia, Pafos / Ktima – Palaiochristian Basilica of Chrysopolitissa, Kato Pafos – Church of Agia Kyriaki, Kato Pafos – Agia Paraskevi, Geroskipou – Church of Panagia Katholikis, Kouklia – Church of Agios Efstathios, Kolossi – Μonastery of Stavrovouni, Pyrga – Royal Chapel, Pyrga – Church of Agion Apostolon, Pera Chorio.

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The Church of Agia Kyriaki, also in Kato Pafos, dates back to the 15th century. Τhe Βyzantine Museum of the Holy Bishopric of Pafos is considered to be one of the richest museums in terms of significant exhibits, and its collection can easily be compared to that of the Museum of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation in Lefkosia.

The next stop is at the Bishopric and at the Church of Agios Ilarionas, with only the south aisle of the original building salvaged today. The Church of Panagia tis Eleousas in Nata village is a church of large dimensions, which has been under reconstruction in the past years.

The Μonastery of Panagia tou Sinti, in Pentalia is assumed to have been built in 1542. While originally it was autonomous, it later became, under Turkish rule, a glebe of Kykkos Monastery.

The last church of this route is the Church of Agios Nikolaos in Galataria with beautiful frescoes of the first half of the 16th century.

Total route length: 85 km.

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