There are ten painted churches dotting in the mountain range that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are surely part of the island’s can’t miss attractions, as they include iconography that showcases some of Cyprus’ early Christian heritage. All ten churches feature impressive frescoes that date back to the 11th and 12th centuries.
PITSILIA
1. Stavros tou Agiasmati
2. Metamorfosis tou Sotiros
3. Timios Stavros
4. Panagia tou Araka
SOLEA
5. Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis
6. Panagia Podithou
7. Panagia Asinou
MARATHASA
8. Agios Ioannis Lambadistis
9. Panagia tou Moutoulla
10. Archangelos Michael
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All these beautifully painted churches included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, days out can be spent driving through the areas of Pitsilia, Solea and Marathasa to uncover the stories of their origins, which are as fascinating as the structures themselves. Unique steep-pitched timber roofs shelter chunky wooden doors that open up onto an array of vivid icons and frescos depicting saints, Apostles and stories from the Bible in all their colorful glory.
The first church to visit is Timios Stavros at Pelentri. Not allowed to take pics inside. The church was originally a single-aisled domed structure, built around the middle of the 12th century, and may have been the church of a cemetery. It was destroyed under unknown circumstances, and the present form of the church is the result of several additions and alterations, carried out throughout various periods, with only the original apse surviving.
According to an inscription in the apse, the original wall paintings date to 1171 / 1172 with fragments of the decoration preserved on the apse under the layer of the 14th century frescoes. The main part of the church was decorated during the second half of the 14th century by at least two artists.
Continue approaching our next destinations which is Stavros Ayiasmati .The church of Timios Stavros tou Agiasmati is situated in the eastern part of the Troodos mountain range, in the area of Pitsilia, about five kilometers northeast of the village of Platanistasa. In 1985 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List which includes nine other painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos range.
Next stop for the day is Panayia tou Araka . The church is located by the village of Lagoudera , Cyprus. Similar to other churches in the area, this church was named after a wildflower. It was built atop the northeast slopes of Madari, the second highest summit of the Troodos Mountains . The date and circumstances of the church’s consecration remain uncertain, but with its location between the villages of Lagoudera and Sarandi, it is postulated that the church was privately owned or that it was a monastery as it was situated away from the villages
Hotel Pedoulas /Kakopetria /or Kalopanayiotis /dinner
The next morning, we visit Panayia Podithou . No photos allowed inside. Located in the village of Galata, the church of Panagia Podithou is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of four painted churches in the village. The building is single-aisled with a steep-pitched timber roof. A later portico surrounds the three sides of the church, with the roof sheltering both the church and portico. The mural paintings are of the Italo-Byzantine style that appeared on the island towards the end of the 15th century.
Next stop is the church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (St. Nicholas of the Roof) is located in the Solea Valley (5km from Kakopetria village) and is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church itself is dated to the 11th century, whilst the monastery dated to the end of the 13th or the beginning of the 14th century and flourished from the Middle Byzantine period up to the period of Frankish rule. It declined during the 18th century and ceased to function as a monastery by the end of the 19th century
next stop is Archangelos Michael Church. Located in the picturesque village of Pedoulas, Archangelos Michael Church is a small church that was built and decorated in 1474 by a local painter named Minas, who came from the area of Marathasa. It is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites The structure of the church has a usual sloping mountain roof and is single-aisled. The narthex, which extends to its south and west side, was used as a loft for women due to the small size of the church, whilst only men entered the main church
Finally we visit the Panagia tou Moutoulla Church. Located in the mountainous region of Moutoulla, the tiny 13th century chapel of Panagia tou Moutoulla is one of the earliest examples of its type and is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church was built and decorated through the donations of Ioannis of Moutoullas and his wife Irene, who are both depicted holding a model of the church. It is believed that it may have been a private chapel.
overnight Pedoulas /Kakopetria or Kalopanayiotis Dinner at the Hotel
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