3rd Route
Point of Interest
The fact that Cyprus is located at the center of Eastern Mediterranean close to the Middle East, played a significant role, as the island was a station between the road to and from Jerusalem.
According to tradition, Saint Helen, the mother of Constantine the Great, stopped at Cyprus during the transfer of the Holy Cross from Palestine to Jerusalem. This had as output many churches being dedicated to the Holy Cross, to honor its presence in the island.
1st Church of Metamorfosis tou Sotiros, Palaichori
Distance: 45,5 km (From the center of Lefkosia)
Duration: 55 Minutes
Church of Metamorfosis tou Sotiros, Palaichori Souce: Big Cyprus
Initiating this route from Nicosia, head through the regions of Anthoupolis, Ergates and Saint Epifanios at Palaixori Morfou, where we meet the first church dedicated to the Holy Cross, the Holy Church of of Metamorfosis tou Sotiros.
The church was built on top of a small hill which lies at the eastern part of Palaichori village. Since 2000 it is included at the catalogue of World Heritage Sites, among nine other wall painted Byzantine churches at Troodos.
The internal of the temple is full of magnificent frescoes that date back at the beginning of the 16th century, contemporary to the time that the church was built. These frescoes are one of the most complete iconographic sets that belong to the post-Byzantine art of Cyprus. It is one of the most important samples of works that belong to the period of Venetian rule and follow the traditional Byzantine art, while the western elements are limited. The wooden sculpted iconostasis of the temple dates back at the beginning of the 18th century. Many icons were made by the Hagiorite painter Matthaios Koutloumousianos.
Information:
Phone Number: +357 99 974230
Visiting Hours:
Tuesday and Wednesday: 10:00 – 13:00
Free Entrance
Warning is necessary for visiting afternoons daily and Weekends
2nd Church of the Holy Cross of Agiasmati, Platanistasa
Distance: 20,9 km
Duration: 37 Minutes
Church of the Holy Cross of Agiasmati, Platanistasa Source: Visit Cyprus
The Church of the Holy Cross of Agiasmati belongs in the list of World Heritage Sites (UNESCO), since 1985. It is the only small sized temple with a wooden roof. Its name derives from the word ‘Agiasma’ (-atos) which in Greek means ‘sanctified water, spring or well near a church’. The church used to be a monastery church, but only traces of the cells of the monastic buildings remain to the south of the church.
Today’s shape is a single aisled with an extension. It is the only wooden roof church which It is surrounded from a closed narrowed road, along the northern and western side – a feature that is unique in Cyprus. Also noteworthy is the extensive and multi-person Last Judgment scene, which unfolds up to the far end of the gable where Jesus Christ is depicted.
The frescoes which decorate the temple are one of the best saved and most complete painted programs of the late 15th century in Cyprus. According to an inscription, the building was built with the donation of a priest named Petros Peratis and his wife Pepani, who are both depicted on a fresco.
Information:
Contact Information: Fr. George Kourris
Phone Number: +35799677216
Operating Hours: By appointment (enquire at the village coffee shop)
Operating Period: All year round. Closed on Public Holidays
Entrance Fee: Free
Disabled Access: Wheelchair accessible
3rd Church of the Holy Cross, Pelentri
Distance: 26,8 km
Duration: 44 Minutes
Church of the Holy Cross, Pelentri Source: Big Cyprus
The church of Holy Cross at Pelentri village is one of the 10 churches in Cyprus that are included at monuments of World Heritage List of UNESCO. The historical value of the church is due to, mainly the murals that cover the inner part of the church.
Today’s church’s shape is the result of additions during various periods. The initial shapes were a single aisled temple with a dome, it dates around the 12th century.
The church was destroyed by unknown causes and the arch of the altar is the only structured that remained, which was embedded in the new building. According to the epigram on the arch, the initial church painting dates at 1171 – 1172. The decoration with the frescoes continued at various phases until the 16th century.
Information:
Phone Number: +35799909393 and +35799662286
Visiting Hours:
Summer: Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 17:30
Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00
Closed on Sunday
Winter:
Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 -16:30
Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00
Closed on Sunday
Visiting Period:
Throughout the year, Closed on Public Holidays
Entrance Fee: Free
Disabled Access: Wheelchair accessible
4th Monastery of the Holy Cross, Omodos
Distance: 21,8 km
Duration: 28 Minutes
Monastery of the Holy Cross, Omodos Source: www.impaphou.org
Located at the famous touristic village Omodos, you will come across the Monastery of the Holy Cross, which functions as a church for the community, but it used to be a big monastery with numerous metochia, even in Russia.
According to tradition the monastery existed even before Saint Helen came in Cyprus baring the Holy Cross. It is said that when Saint Helen visited Omodos, she offered a gift, a part of the Ηoly Cannabous with which Pharisees tied Jesus Christ during His crucifixion.
The Monastery keeps numerous holy relics, as the head of Phillipe, one of the twelve Apostles. It keeps part of the Holy Cross and a stone by the Holy grave where Jesus Christ was buried and the Ηoly Cannabous with which Christ was tied during His crucifixion. You can also visit the Byzantine Museum and all other museums in the monastery, but also in general around Omodos.
Information:
Oik. Neophytos Zynonos
Contact Number: +357 25422126, +35799482234
Operating Hours:
Winter: 09:00 – 16:00
Summer: 09:00 – 19:00
5th Monastery of the Holy Cross, Anogyra
Distance: 19,7 km
Duration: 26 Minutes
Monastery of the Holy Cross, Anogyra Source: Visit Cyprus
Situated southwest of the village of Anogyra, the Monastery of the Holy Cross is built over the foundations of an early Christian Basilica. At the end of the 15th century, the present church was built over the foundations of older churches. The remains portrait a single aisled church with arches at the roof and a high dome. The inside is decorated with frescoes, in the Palaiologan style which, despite marked wear and tear, remain exceptional examples of Palaiologan painting in Cyprus
Legend has it that in the region of the monastery there is an underground tunnel, whereby monks – who are said to live richly – kept their treasures.