Troödos Mountains
This Unesco-listed Byzantine church is famous for its 15th-century murals by Orthodox Syrian painter Philippos Goul. In two tiers, the images decorate the ceilings and interior beams of the gabled roof, depicting such scenes as the discovery of the Holy Cross.
Opening hours are sporadic. If the priest cannot be found, ask for the key at the coffee shop in Platanistasa village centre. The church is 5km from the village, off the Orounda–Platanistasa route (E906). Follow the Unesco signposts.
21.51 MILES
Defiantly perched on a hillside, with a sweeping view of the surrounding patchwork fields and the sea, Ancient Kourion is a spectacular site. Most likely…
28.05 MILES
The full fairy-tale outline of St Hilarion Castle only becomes apparent once you’re directly beneath it. The stone walls and half-ruined buildings blend…
17.12 MILES
The island’s most prosperous and opulent Orthodox monastery was founded in the 11th century by Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komninos after a bizarre series…
24.09 MILES
North Nicosia’s most prominent landmark (also clearly visible from the southern half of the city), the Selimiye Mosque is a beautiful mongrel of a…
17.4 MILES
The remains at this archaeological site, about 11km east of Lemesos, belie its original importance. Amathous was one of Cyprus’ original four kingdoms,…
11.93 MILES
Most people visit Pedoulas to see this extraordinary Unesco-listed church. Dating from 1474, the gable-roofed building sits in the lower part of the…
7.65 MILES
This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of …
19.13 MILES
This 14th-century structure, built over the remains of a Byzantine castle, has been utilised by conquerors throughout Cyprus’ turbulent history. The…
2.21 MILES
This 12th-century Unesco-listed church is on the outskirts of Lagoudera. From the outside, it appears enormous, the pitched roof and wooden trellis…
3.43 MILES
Perched on the slope overlooking Palaichori village, this Unesco-listed early-16th-century chapel contains one of the island’s most complete groups of…
4.99 MILES
In operation until 1955, this well-preserved olive-stone mill and wooden press are now housed in a traditional building in Spilia’s village centre.
5.77 MILES
Built in the 12th century, this Unesco-listed church was originally dome-shaped with a single aisle. In the 13th and 14th centuries it was added to with a…
7.65 MILES
This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of …
8.46 MILES
It’s a fair hike out to this sprawling monastery perched in the foothills of the eastern spur of the Troödos Mountains and under the all-seeing radar…
8.54 MILES
Part of the excellent Troödos Geopark, this is a small but well-laid-out botanical garden with a lily pond and other water features, including a tumbling…
8. Panagia Theotokou (Arhangelou)
8.64 MILES
Dating from around 1514, this smaller chapel is just near Panagia tis Podythou. It’s quite dark inside, so you may want to bring a torch. It has vivid…