9th Route
The capital of Cyprus is known for its unique history, mainly in old city, which is surrounded be the old Venetian Walls, built by the Venetians during the period they dominated the island in the early 16th century (1567) and were constructed to protect against the impending Ottoman siege. For the entrance through the Venetian Walls of Nicosia, 3 gates were built, the Paphos Gate, the Kyrenia Gate and the Famagusta Gate which was the largest and most imposing of the other two, and a magnificent monument for travelers to visit.
This historic route consists some of the oldest parts of the island, great museums and monuments, where the coexistence of Eastern and European air gives Nicosia its own unique identity.
It should be noted that the city of Nicosia offers many and unique places for coffee and food that you can choose to relax during your walk!
1st Church of Agioi Anargyroi, Vavatsinia
Distance: 52,3 km (From the center of Larnaca)
Duration: 48 Minutes
Agioi Vavatsinias, Vavatsinia Source: imtamasou.org
Agioi Vavatsinias is a historic village with picturesque alleys and picturesque scenery where visitors can enjoy their morning coffee, before continuing with this route.
Taking a walk in Agioi Vavatsinias, you will come across impressive religious monuments such as the Church of Agioi Anargyroi, Cosmas and Damianos with the Holy Spirit, which is located to the center of the village, a structure of 1871 which was built over the ruins of another smaller church.
Saints of Vavatsinias. Source: imtamasou.org.cy
It should be noted that, just outside the village, there is also a small pond with holy water where, according to tradition, Saints Cosmas and Damianos used to water their horses. This pond confirms their presence in the village and tradition implies that it has healing properties.
In the area of Vavatsinia, visitors will also find the statues dedicated to Andreas Neokleous, a soldier who fell during the Turkish invasion and Manos Loizos, a Greek composer -one of the most important of his time-, whose father was born in the village of Vavatsinia.
2nd Monastery of Agios Minas, Vavla
Distance: 14,5 km
Duration: 19 Minutes
Monastery of Agios Minas, Vavla Source: churchofcyprus.org.cy
The women’s Monastery of Agios Minas is in an idyllic landscape in the well- known village, Vavla. It is known for its miraculous icon of Agios Minas.
There is a great chance that the monastery was built in the 16th century, although it flourished in the 18th century, as two frescoes from the same era survive until today.
The building is a mixture of Byzantine and Gothic styles with the pointed vault of traverse ribs and side porticos, and consists of a church, cloisters and other monastic buildings. On the north and south walls there are two large paintings of Agios Georgios and Agios Minas dated 1757. In addition to their religious duties, the nuns at the convent practise icon painting, along with selling fruit and homemade preserves.
Information:
Operating hours:
Winter Hours, Daily 04:00 – 12:00 and 15:00 – 18:00
Summer Hours, Daily 04:00 – 12:00 and 15:00 – 18:30
3rd Church of Metamorfosis tou Sotiros, Delikipos
Distance: 20,3 km
Duration: 28 Minutes
Church of Metamorfosis tou Sotiros, Delikipos Source: imtrimythountos.org
The Church of Metamorfosis tou Sotiros in Delikipos is a well-known church in Cyprus. The church is a building of the 18th century. It is located at the top of a small hill, where the few houses of the village are built.
It is a single-aisle basilica with a gabled, wooden, and tiled pointed roof. According to a related inscription, it was renovated and improved with the assistance of Archbishop Silvestros and with the care and expense of a certain Georgios and his son Petros in 1726. Today, the temple has been completely renovated by the Department of Antiquities.
4th Monastery of Panagia Stazousa, Pyrga
Distance: 13,7 km
Duration: 20 Minutes
Monastery of Panagia Stazousa, Pyrga Source: https://larnakaregion.com
The Monastery of Panagia Stazousa was built in the 14th century from the Franks, in the early Gothic architectural style.
The name was given after the visit of a French noblewoman to the area who suffered from bleeding but was miraculously cured, so it was named after the locals who called the church “stazousa” from the word “drip”. During the Turkish occupation, the monastery seems to have been looted and abandoned, while today it has been renovated and is in operation.