Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Kakopetria, Cyprus

Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis, The village of Kakopetria.

The church of Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis, meaning 'Saint Nicholas on the Roof', named after its steep wooden roof, which was built to protect it from climatologically conditions, located 5 kilometers north, of the charming village of Kakopetria.
Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis is considered as one of the most interesting Byzantine churches on the island, as its completely covered with mural paintings, dating between the 11th and 17th centuries.

Additionally, in the village of Kakopetria, there are another two churches, both from the 16th century. The first is the church of Panayia Theotokos, a small church which has retained half of its murals, and the second is the church of Ayios Georgios Perachoritis, on the east of the village. The old quarter of the village has been officially declared a protected area, and many of the traditional houses are now listed buildings, and have been fully restored to their former glories.

The Church of Ayios Nikolaos dis Steyis,
5 km from Kakopetria village.

Open all year.
Tues-Sat-09:00-16:00
Sunday-11:00-16:00

Machairas Monastery, Nicosia, Cyprus

About 40km southwest of Nicosia on top of the Machairas mountain (1423 m), stands the secluded monastery of Machairas. Machairas is a popular place for excursions, not only because of the quiet atmosphere of the monastery, but also due to the museum of Giorgios Afxentiou. Giorgios was a Cypriot freedom fighter who fought against the British colonial power and died in a nearby hideout.

The monastery has a rectangular layout and a red-tiled timber roof. The main aisle of the church is lined with an attractive row of columns. It is covered by a dome and the large tiled roof. The interior of the church is decorated with religious icons, chandeliers, stone floors and wall frescoes. As expected, the icon of the Virgin Mary takes a prominent position. Currently the monastery holds 20-30 orthodox 25 monks which live of agricultural activities.

The monastery holds festivals in the name of the Virgin Mary twice a year: 20-21 of November and 14-15 of August.

Location: Nicosia District - Cyprus

Panagia Chrysoirroyiatissa Monastery, Paphos, Cyprus

Chrysoroyiatissa is a monastery dedicated to Our Lady of the Golden Pomegranate located about 40 km north-east of Paphos at an altitude of around 2,700 feet. It was founded by a monk called Ignatius in the 12th century. It lies 1.5 km from the today village of Panayia, birthplace of the late Archbishop Makarios. The present building dates to 1770.

The ancient and idyllic monastery of Chrysoroyiatissa, is famous for its excellent wine. In the mid 1980s the old winery of the monastery was reopened and now runs (successfully) on a commercial basis. It produces wines from the Monastery's own vineyards.

Celebrations are held here yearly on 15 August in honour of the Virgin Mary.

Location: Paphos District - Cyprus

Ayios Heraklidhios Monastery, Nicosia, Cyprus

The monastery of Ayios Heraklidhios, near the archaelogical site of Tamassos (about 20 km west of Nicosia), was founded about 400 AD on the grave of the holy Heraklidhios. Nowadays a convent of nuns lives in the old monastery.

Tamassos is an ancient city-state of great archaeological significance in the central vicinity of Cyprus, located approximately 21 kilometeres south-west of the capital city of Nicosia.

Location: Tamassos - Nicosia District - Cyprus

Ayia Napa Monastery, Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Just in the centre of Ayia Napa you will find a spectacular Venetian decorated monastery with a 600-year-old Sycamore tree by the entrance. It is one of the best known landmarks of the Agia Napa area. The monastery has a charm and charisma that represents a time when Ayia Napa was just a tranquil fishing village. It also occurs that in ancient times, the location where the monastery and the village exists today, was covered with a thick forest, visited only by hunters from the neighbouring villages.

Ayia Napa lies near Cape Greco at the eastern part of Cyprus, just south of Famagusta and forms part of a larger area known as Kokkinochoria (a name derived from the red colour of its soil).


Location: Sepheris Square - Ayia Napa - Cyprus
Opening Hours
winter: 09:30 - 15:00
summer: 09:30 - 21:00