7th Route
Point of Interest
The route “Paphos – Agios Neophytos” suggests tourists to visit the unique religious and cultural monuments in the province of Pafos, with a special dedication to the Monastery of Agios Neophytos in Tala, one of the most famous monasteries in Cyprus, and another great example which declares the long religious tradition of the island.
1st Church of Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa, Kato Paphos
Distance: 3,6 km (From the center of Pafos)
Duration: 9 Minutes
Church of Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa, Kato Paphos Source: Visit Cyprus
The route starts from the archaeological area of the early Christian Basilica and the church of Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa. The present church of Agia Kyriaki dates to the 13th century. It is a simple stone-built church in a cross-shaped basilica with a dome.
In this area are the ruins of the episcopal palace where the bishops lived and the metropolitan church of Agia Kyriaki from the 4th century. Today, the ruins of the oldest metropolitan church are preserved, such as a fresco of the Holy Mary, the mosaic floors, granite columns, a mosaic fountain, and the marble column of the apostle Paul, to which according to tradition he was tied and tortured.
Information:
Operating Period: All year round
Entrance Fee: Free
Opening and closing times, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting
DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES:
Phone number: 00357 22 865888, 00357 22 865873
Email: antiquitiesdept@da.mcw.gov.cy
2nd Monastery of Agios Neofytos, Tala
Distance: 14,3 km
Duration: 24 Minutes
Monastery of Agios Neofytos, Tala Source: Visit Cyprus
The next destination is the Monastery of Agios Neofytos in Tala, one of the most important monasteries in Cyprus and the main attraction of this route.
The monastery was founded in the 12th century. AD by the Cypriot monk and writer Neophytos. Saint Neophytos lived as a monk isolated in the cave of a mountain, which has survived to this day and is painted with the most beautiful examples of Byzantine frescoes of the time. Meanwhile, new monks gradually began to flow in, thus creating the need to build the monastery that is preserved to this day – Engleistra, as it was also called. It became a quiet monastic community in 1170. Neophytos was staunchly against materialism and being bothered, which kept the population of monks much smaller than at other monasteries of the time. In his second Ritual Ordinance, he states that the number of monks was around fifteen or eighteen.
After, his death, he was buried within the Engleistra according to his own detailed instructions. His successor, Isaias, is mentioned in the writings of Neophytos, but nothing is known about his time as abbot, nor is there any information about any other abbots during the 13th, 14th, or 15th centuries. However, it is speculated that the heads of the monastery following Neophytos did not hold to his isolationist lifestyle. The monastery was expanded and new paintings and decorations were added over the centuries, although not very often.
The monastery has a very remarkable museum, and the newest central church is decorated with representative post-Byzantine icons of the 16th century.
Information:
Phone number: +357 26 652 481, Fax: +357 26 653 709
Operating Hours: Museum and Enkleistra:
April – October, daily: 09:00 – 13:00 / 14:00 – 18:00
November – March, daily: 09:00 – 16:00
Operating Period: Museum and Enkleistra:
All year round
Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Green Monday, Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox) and August 15.
Entrance Fee: Museum and Enkleistra: €2,00
Website: www.stneophytos.org.cy
Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting
3rd Church of Agios Georgios, Pegeia
Distance: 17,2 km
Duration: 24 Minutes
Church of Agios Georgios, Pegeia Source: impaphou.org.cy
The site of St. George Pegeias is an idyllic place where visitors can spend a lot of time.
In this area, archaeological elements are combined with the religious life of the place, as the area includes an archaeological area of the Roman era that flourished during late antiquity. The excavations in the 20th c. brought to light a large settlement without walls from the era and three early Christian basilicas from the 6th c. AD, as well as supporting buildings. Thus, it is possible that the settlement flourished during the reign of Emperor Justinian.
Also, its position makes many archaeologists believe that there was a port that connected Egypt with Constantinople. Finally, at the edge of the cliff is a necropolis with tombs carved into the rock.
Today a new church dedicated to Saint George has been built which tourists can visit.
Archaeological SIte Pegeia Source: Visit Cyprus
Information:
Operating Hours:
April 16 – September 15, Daily: 08:30 – 16:00
September 16 – April 15, Daily: 09:30 – 17:00
Entrance Fee for the archeological area: €2.50
Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting
4th Church of Agios Georgios, Chlorakas
Distance: 13,7 km
Duration: 19 Minutes
hurch of Agios Georgios, Chlorakas Source: impaphou.org
Nearby is the small church of Agios Georgios in Chloraka.
The picturesque church was built in the Aliki area, where Georgios Grivas Digenis landed on November 10, 1954. The great benefactor of our village, Princess Zina Kanther De Tyras, built this church to honor the Chief of the EOKA (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters), headed by Georgios Grivas Greek Army officer. The site, where the church of Agios Georgios is built, emphasizes the religious faith that was deeply rooted in the fighters of 1955.
Upon leaving, guests can enjoy their coffee in the beautiful area of Chloraka.
5th Church of Apostolon Pavlos and Barnabas, Ktima
Distance: 3,7 km
Duration: 8 Minutes
Church of Apostolon Pavlos and Barnabas, Ktima Source: impaphou.org
The Church is dedicated to the first apostles who taught Christianity in Cyprus. Paphos is mentioned above all in the “Acts of the Apostles”, as the apostle Paul performed a miracle thereby. Also in the “Acts of the Apostles” a contemporary proconsul from Paphos named Sergius Pavlos is mentioned, who is described as a prudent man. Therefore, the city of Paphos dedicated a central point to the worship of the first catechists of Cyprus, Apostles Pavlos and Barnabas.
Information:
Phone number: +357 99 034901
Operating Hours: Always open