RELIGION AND PEOPLE

( From Limassol - Pafos - Larnaca - Ayia Napa )
( Byzantine pitched roof churches, monasteries and more )

This program is for people with religious interest!

FIRST DAY

Troodos Region

Today, you visit some pitched roof churches:

• In the village of Lagoudera, visit the church of ‘Panayia tou Araka” from the 12th century A.D. This church belonged to a monastery and has beautiful Byzantine frescoes.
• In the village of Nikitari, is an interesting chapel with interesting frescoes from the 12th, 13th and 14th century A.D. This was also a church which belonged to a monastery. The monastery was abandoned and slowly has been destroyed. We then drive to Galata.
• In this village we visit the Archangelos church and the church of Panayia tis Podithou. Both date back to the 16th century A.D.
• In the village of Kakopetria, is the church of Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis (of the roof), which dates back to the 11th century A.D and has frescoes which date back from the 11th until the 18th century A.D.
• We then spend lunch time in the village of Kakopetria. The village in the Solea region in the valley of the Kargotis River, displaying interesting stone architecture. The old village is under the protection of the Department of Antiquities because of its architecture.
• The above mentioned churches are listed as Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site. They are sort of Museums.

SECOND DAY

Troodos Region

On the program today, we will visit the largest, most imposing and wealthiest of all monasteries in Cyprus : Kykkos Monastery which dates back to the 11th century A.D. It’s built in the middle of magnificent mountains and forests away from human habitation. It’s most precious treasure, is the icon of the Most Merciful Virgin, claimed to have been painted by St. Luke the Evangelist and credited with the power to bring rain!

Lunch break will be taken in the area of the Kykkos Monastery.

• In the village of Kalopanayiotis, visit the abandoned monastery “Ayios Ioannis Lmbadistis”. The old monastery complex includes three churches covered with one vast roof.
• In the village Pedoulas, visit the Byzantine church of the Archangel Michael, dating from 1474 with magnificent interior wall paintings!

THIRD DAY

• First visit the ruins of a largest Neolithic settlement. One of the oldest settlements in Cyprus, it existed as early as C. 7000 B.C.
• Then visit the nun monastery of Ayios Minas, a small monastery located in a scenic mountain setting was founded in the 15th century and the nuns are involved in painting icons, growing flowers and fruits. Some items are for sale.
• We then drive to Kato Lefkara. The village is situated at about 650m above the sea and it’s famous for its embroideries, lace and jewelry made of silver and gold!
• Lunch will be taken in the village of Vavatsinia, in the restaurant of Maria (included in the price ). The special traditional Cypriot food of Maria is well known around the island!

FOURTH DAY

Larnaca Area

In the village of Pano Lefkara, situated at about 700m above sea level, we make our first stop. One story tells of Leonardo da Vinci supposedly coming to the island in 1481 to order an altar cloth for Milan Cathedral.

• In the village of Kiti, visit the “Panayia Angeloktisti” (built by Angels), which consists of three parts. The first part is from the 14th century, the second from the 11th century and the third from the 12th century A.D. Only the apse of the third part of the church, is from the 6th century presenting a mosaic with Mary and Christ, child in her arms, flanked by the Angels Michael and Gavriel, with peacock-feather wings!
• On the shores of the salt lake of Larnaca, is the Hala Sultan Tekke which dates back to the 18th century A.D. There is the tomb of Oman Haran paternal Aunt of the Prophet Mohammed!
• In the center of Larnaca, visiting St. Lazarus church which was built around 900 AD, on the site of the Saint’s grave who was the Bishop of Kition.
• Free time for lunch at the famous “Palm-Tree Esplanade”.

FIFTH DAY

Pafos

• At Petra tou Romiou, the goddess of Love, beauty and fertility – Aphrodite – emerged from the sea foam. There we make a photo stop.
• In the village of Geroskipou, visit the church of Ayia Paraskevi, one of the most interesting Byzantine churches on the island which was built in the 9th century A.D. This stone church features five domes in the shape of a cross. The interior is decorated with beautiful 12th and 15th century murals.
• In the village of Tala, visit the monastery and the enklistra or hermitage of Ayios Neophytos. The enormous monastery compound is home now to only seven monks. Neophytos was a hermit and an ascetic, author of philosophical treatises and hymns who spent dozens of years there.
• In the city of Paphos, visit the Mosaics in the House of Dionysos which date back to the 3rd century A.D. These are the most beautiful in the whole of Cyprus!
• Lunch break at the harbor of Paphos.

SIXTH DAY

Nicosia

Nicosia is the capital of the island since the 11th century A.D and also a divided city ; 60% is under Turkish occupation. In the capital, visit Archaeological Museum or Cyprus Museum as it is also known. Simply one of the best archaeological collections in the Middle East and essential viewing. With objects from the Neolithic Era ( 7500 BC ) to the end of Roman rule ( 395 A.D ).

• Next to the Archbishop’s Palace, visit the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist with beautiful 18th century frescoes.
• Behind the Cathedral, visit the Byzantine Museum, also known as the Icon Museum which contains the largest and most valuable collection of icons in Cyprus.
• Nicosia is surrounded by Venetian defense walls and bastions. The wall is punctuated by 11 bastions and three gates. Two of them are on the south part of the city and we will drive by them, the “Famagusta” and “Paphos Gates”.
• In Nicosia, you can also see a part of the Green Line ( demarcation line ).
• Free time for lunch in “Laiki Yitonia” : a restored section of old Nicosia near the drooding “Venetian walls”, the town hall and Ledra (South Nicosia’s main shopping street). Full of restored houses and numerous restaurants, shady cafes, handicraft workshops and souvenir shops. Enjoy it!!!!