4th Route
Point of Interest
The Monastery of Panagia tou Kykkos, is one of the three largest, most historic Monasteries of Cyprus, and it is well known worldwide, as many tourists visit the monastery all year long.
This route has as main attraction the Monastery of Kykkos, as well as it includes a tour around Troodos region, where the rural sceneries are astounding, with many the religious and cultural sites to be explored.
1st Monastery of the Holy Cross, Omodos
Distance: 40,6 km (From the center of Limassol)
Duration: 44 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.
Omodos village is a well-known tourist destination, with beautiful old alleys while it is, also, known to produce local wine. The coffee break can take place in one of the picturesque coffee shops in the village.
According to tradition the Monastery of the Holy Cross 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
Phone Number: +357 25422126, +35799482234
Operating Hours:
Winter: 09:00 – 16:00
Summer: 09:00 – 19:00
2nd Monastery of Trooditissa, Troodos Region
Distance: 13,4 km
Duration: 22 Minutes
Monastery of Trooditissa, Troodos Region Source: Visit Cyprus
Monastery of Panagia Trooditissa initiated its course on the 8th century by an anonymous monk who transferred an icon to Cyprus.
The Holy Monastery of Trooditissa has a prominent place amongst the Cypriot monasteries, not just because of its natural beauty, but also by its notable history, for the richness of its paintings. It is located higher than any other monastery in Cyprus, as it is built at the mountaintop of Troodos from which it took its name.
The exact date of the foundation of the monastery is not known, but it is believed to have been established immediately after the iconoclastic era by a hermit who resided there during the years of the iconoclasm. The church, as well as the monastic buildings, belong to a later period and can be dated to the end of the 18th or the 19th and 20th centuries.
The monastery is a retreat for prayers, and as such it is closed for visits, although the church is open to visitors.
Church Information:
Phone Number: +35725421663
Operating Hours:
Daily: 09:00 – 12:00 / 14:00 – 16:00
3rd Monastery of Panagia Trikoukkia, Prodromos
Distance: 5,6 km
Duration: 9 Minutes
Monastery of Panagia Trikoukkia, Prodromos Source: www.churchofcyprus.org.cy
The Holy Monastery of Panagia Eleousa of Trikkoykiotissa is considered one of the most ancient Monasteries in Cyprus.
The monastery became especially popular by the 16th century, as one icon of Panagia Trikkoukiotissa was said to perform miracles for the lack of raining. According to tradition, the icon had been painted by Evangelist Luke. The name of Panagia Trikoukkiotissa, or Trikoutsiotsissa, or Panagia Trikoutsias came from a forest tree Trikoutsia, which is also called Kokkonia.
Information:
Operating Hours: 11.00 – 13.00 and 15.30 – 18.00
Head Nun: Christonyphi Nun
Priest: Fr. Nicholas Christodoulou
Phone Number: +35799356267, +35725462747
4th Monastery of Kykkos, Throni
Distance: 20,5 km
Duration: 31 Minutes
Kykkos Monastery, Throni Source: Visit Cyprus
The Monastery of Kykkos is located on the western part of Troodos Mountain range, just 18 kilometers away from the highest mountaintop of Cyprus, named Olympus.
The complete name of the monastery is “Royal and Stavropegic Monastery of Kykko”, since it was established by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos (1081-1118) and a cross was placed in its center, which implies that the Monastery is self-ruled.
The main attraction of the Monastery is the Icon of Panagia tou Kykkou, known as Panagia Eleousa (source of mercy). This icon portraits Panagia holding Christ in her right hand. The monastery is also known for the fact that the first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III served there as a novice.
Information:
Phone Number: +35722942742
Visiting Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 17:00 PM (winter period)
Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 18:00 PM (summer period)
Entrance Fee: Free
Museum Monastery of Kykkos, Throni
Distance:
Duration:
Museum Kykkos Monastery, Throni Source: Visit Cyprus
Within the Monastery, there is a notable museum with various religious objects, including one of the three Icons that are attributed to Apostle and Evangelist Luke, as well as a great library with many religious manuscripts. The icon – covered in silver – is placed within a magnificent case, which is in front of the iconostasis.
An exhibition is also located at the northwest part of the monastery, more specifically at the northern side of the upper internal court of the monastery. From the arched entrance, which closes with a four-leaf grandiose entrance, one elongated staircase raises visitors to the entrance of the museum.
Museum Information:
Phone Number: +35722942742 Fax: +35722942384
Visiting Hours:
November – May: 10:00 – 16:00
June – October: 10:00 – 18:00
Open throughout the year
Closed on Public Holidays
Entrance Fee to the Museum: €5,00 / For groups €3,00
5th Monastery of Panagia Amasgous, Monagri
Distance: 51,8 km
Duration: 1 Hour 17 Minutes
Monastery of Panagia Amasgous, Monagri Source: Visit Cyprus
The Holy Monastery of Panagia Amasgous is a historical monastery, which it is uncertain when in was founded, but the remaining part of the monastery belongs to the 12th century. The frescoes depict certain saints like saint Spyridon, the saints Athanasius of Pentasxoinitis and Athanasius of Alexandria. The monastery was abandoned at the 18th century, and it was reconstituted at previous decades.
Information:
Operating Hours:
Winter Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 05:00 -12:00 and 15:00- 18:00
Summer Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 05:00 – 12:00 and 16:00 – 18:30