8th Route
The route “Rural Paphos” embarks on a journey to explore the fascinating mountainous side of Paphos, to admire the unique view, to encounter the religious life of the province, as well as to visit various cultural monuments both ancient and modern.
All in a nutshell, Paphos is truly a city bursting with history and culture, meant to be explored!
1st Church of Panagia Katholiki, Kouklia
Distance: 20 km (From the center of Paphos)
Duration: 19 Minutes
Church of Panagia Katholiki, Kouklia Source: Visit Cyprus
The community of Kouklia, although small, contains one of the most important archaeological sites of the island, the so-called Palaipafo, where there are attractions from almost all the historical periods of Cyprus. The most important is the place of worship of the goddess Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and fertility according to mythology. Other important exhibits in the archaeological site are the stone inscription in syllabic writing, which was dedicated to the King of Paphos Onisichari. Also, the sarcophagus, from the 5th c. e.g. made of limestone, which depicts scenes from the Odyssey and the mosaic on the floor of the Roman villa depicting the legend of Leda with the swan.
Among the medieval exhibits of the area, visitors will also find the church of Panagia Katholiki, which was built between the 12th and 13th centuries. A.D. with materials taken from the temple of Aphrodite. Initially the church was cruciform with a dome but after changes in the 16th c. A.D. it looks like an elongated single aisled with a dome.
Church of Panagia Katholiki, Kouklia. Source: bigcyprus.com.cy
Information:
Operating hours:
September 16 – April 15, daily: 08:30 – 17:00
April 16 – September 15, daily: 08:30 – 19:30
Entry fee for the archaeological place: €4.50 For organized groups over 10 people, there is a 20% reduction in the entry price
2nd Church of Agia Paraskevi, Yeroskipou
Distance: 13,2 km
Duration: 15 Minutes
Church of Agia Paraskevi, Yeroskipou Source: geroskipou.org.cy
This interesting 9th century Byzantine church is in the village of Geroskipou. It has five domes and is a three-aisled vaulted basilica, which makes it one of the two churches of this type that exist on the entire island. It is an important example of Byzantine architecture.
The beautiful interior frescoes date from various periods, from the 8th to the 15th century. A monochrome reddish cross painted directly on the stone is of an earlier type and was uncovered during the restoration work of the church. This type of cross is chronologically placed in the early Christian period up to the 8th – 9th century.
In addition to its frescoes, the church also has an important, double-sided icon, dating from the 15th century. On one side is depicted the Holy Mary and on the other the scene of the Crucifixion.
Information:
Phone number: +357 26 821 000
Operating hours:
Monday – Saturday: 8:30 – 13:00 / 14:00 – 16:30, all year
Entrance fee: Free
Visits can be arranged every Sunday by appointment
3rd Monastery of Panagia Salamiotissa, Salamiou
Distance: 34,3 km
Duration: 19 Minutes
Monastery of Panagia Salamiotissa, Salamiou Source: impaphou.org
The next stop includes the women’s Monastery of Panagia Salamiotissa. The monastery is located a few minutes outside the community of Salami on a picturesque mountain hill.
Monastery of Panagia Salamiotissa dates to the 16th century, with the original church still standing today. After the revolution of 1821, the Ottoman conquerors forced the closure of the monastery. In 1999, with the blessings of His Eminence, Metropolitan of Paphos Mr. Chrysostomos II and under the guidance of the abbot of Monastery of Panagia Trooditissa, the first nuns settled.
Visitors can admire the icon of Panagia tis Salamiotissa which dates to the 13th century. Also, the icons of Christ and Prodromos which date back to the first half of the 16th century and are attributed to the great iconographer Iosif Khouri. Finally, the large wooden Cross from the beginning of the 16th century, as well as the Bimothira (one of the two doors of the Holy Gate in orthodox churches).
Information:
Operating hours:
Winter period:
Monday-Saturday: 9:00am-12:45pm 4:00pm-5:30pm
Sunday: 6:30am-12:45pm 2:30pm-6:00pm
Summer period:
Monday-Saturday: 9:00am-12:45pm 4:00pm-6:30pm
Sunday: 6:30am-12:45pm 2:30pm-7:00pm
4th Monastery of Panagia of Sintis, Pentalia
Distance: 11,3 km
Duration: 26 Minutes
Monastery of Panagia of Sintis, Pentalia Source: Visit Cyprus
The abandoned monastery of Panagia of Sintis is located on the banks of the river Xeros in Pentalia and is devoted to Panagia of Sinti. Sintis is mentioned as a Homeric word, and is etymologically derived from the verb sinomai, meaning to damage/damage. The church was built in the 16th century. Its central nave is in good condition and is considered one of the most important buildings of the Venetian Period. The Monastery remained in operation until 1927 and was then abandoned.
The monastery of Panagia of Sintis is one of the most authentic examples of monastic architecture in Cyprus (without modern interventions) with significant archaeological, historical, architectural, and aesthetic value. Its perfect integration and harmonization with the environment of the area, in terms of volumes, materials and colors, constitutes for Cyprus a remarkable and unique cultural landscape.
5th Monastery of Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa, Pano Panagia
Distance: 14,4 km
Duration: 24 Minutes
Monastery of Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa, Pano Panagia Source: Cyprus Alive
The history of the monastery travels visitors back to the 12th century, with the finding of the icon of Holy Mary, which is believed to have been saved from the iconoclasm period and is attributed to the evangelist Luke. The monastery as is currently existing, was formed in the 18th century and it operates with a small number of monks.
The monastery includes many exhibits, as it contains an iconostasis in which historical relics of the monastery are exhibited, but also since 2010 the iconology center has been put into operation. There is also a gallery, with unique beautiful exhibits made by Cypriot and foreign painters.
Another interesting fact is that the production of wine in the monastery operates since the 20th century. In addition, there is the historic winery of the monastery, which includes winemaking tools dating back to the 18th century.
Information:
Operating hours:
Monday – Sunday: 05:00 – 18:00