Troodos

THE MOUNTAINS

Cyprus literally consists geographically of the Troodos Mountains and its rubble. The mountain range lies in the western part of the island and can’t really be missed from the main points of the island. Mount Olympus is the highest peak of the range, which reaches a height of 1,952m. The mountains were formed as a result of volcanoes that had erupted millions of years ago.

Troodos has enough elements to please the youngest to the oldest visitor. Hiking trails have been marked out by the Forestry Department and provide both a picturesque and educational experience.

Cyprus’s largest rivers rise in this area. The waters rush in with great force and are captured in the area by the authorities to be used in times of major draughts.

There are quite a few sports that are popular in the Troodos Mountains, some of which are hiking, cycling and mountain-biking. In the winter months there is also skiing available to all visitors, when there is a considerable amount of snow.

Many Orthodox monks had chosen the Troodos Mountains as a place to escape from all the temptations, wars and piracy on the main land. They found that the mountains were isolated from the rest of the island and therefore believed that they would be safe up there.

Some of the main attractions in the area are the following:

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis: This is one of the most famous historical churches on the island. It is an 11th century structure that can be found approximately 5km from Kakopetria. It is unique due to the fact that it consists of two roofs, an outer one that serves as a protection against winter snows and an inner one that is the classic domes Byzantine style. “Tis stegis” actually translates to “of the roof”. The fact that the church is extremely old and has a superb structure and frescoes in its interior has helped it gain the status of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

There are some truly significant murals in this church that illustrate some of the most important events in Christianity, such as the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the entry of Christ into Jerusalem and the Assumption of the Virgin. Furthermore, the church consists of an enormous Christ Pantokrator that stares down at the believers from the dome as well as a painting of St Nicholas by whom the church was named. The church attracts many visitors as well as locals annually.

Agios Theodoros. The village of Agios Theodoros contains lovely scenic routes that capture anyone’s attention. There are a number of luxurious villas in the Pitsilia region that boast the wealth that can be gained from agriculture, business and art. The village has in its possession the 16th -century church of Panagia (Our Lady) that contains a silver icon of Our Lady, to which prayers are said to be answered when made to her and rain is needed.

Agros. Agros is a village that is very famous all over Cyprus for its inducements, such as rose-water, mineral water and wine. The locals of the village have tried in every way possible to keep their little village lively and to continue growing it.

Arsos. Arsos, is a Krassochoria (wine district) village that consists if houses with red-tiled roofs. It is one of the most typical villages of the area and is very well know for its deep-red wines and zivania spirit that it produces. Unfortunately for the village, a lot of young people have deserted it and moved to the larger towns of the island, and therefore only the older aged inhabitants have been left to work there. Legend has it that the village was named after Arsinoe, Cleopatra’s youngest sister that was banished from Egypt by Julius Caesar in 47BC.

Cedar Valley. All the trails that lead to the cedar valley are actually quite rough, but it is definitely worth getting there since the view is spectacular. The area is obviously filled with ranges of cedar trees. The majority of the islands’ cedar trees are preserved in the Tripylos Nature Reserve that lies between the Kykkou Monastery and Stavros tis Psokas in the Pafos Forest.

Commandaria Region. In this region that is used for the production of grapes, Cyprus’s unique sweet red desert wine, Commanadria, is created. It is not differ much from the Krassochoria area, but it is uniquely appropriate for the production of Commandaria.

Foini. This village is situated near Kato Platres. It consists of quite a few pottery-makers, and used to be well known for the large pitharia pots, but nowadays it specialises in tinier items. A small Folk Art Museum can be located in this area as well, that portrays aspects of the way of life in the past as well as the way the people in the old era used to dress.

Galata. Galata is a very attractive village surrounded by white painted houses. Two places of interest in the village are those of the Folk Art Museum and the restored Ottoman-era Hani Kalliana Inn. There are about four fine churches in the district, two of which are on the UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage Sites.

Agios Sozomenos, is a church that can be found in the centre that dates from the early 16th-century and its post-Byzantine frescoes are a great way to compare the other churches in Troodos that are found on the UNESCO heritage list. Another very interesting church in the surroundings of the village is that of Panagia tis Podythou, which is also a UNESCO recognized site that is unique for its triangular portrait of the Crucifixion and its outstanding Our Lady as the Queen of Heaven in the narthex. The tiny church of Archangelos that can be found close by also contains extraordinary frescoes of the post-Byzantine era. In addition, Agia Paraskevi, which is also a very small church that dates back to the 16th-century, is locate on the old road from Galata to Kakopetria.