TROODOS MOUNTAIN RESORTS

To experience another dimension of Cyprus, head inland to the Troodos Mountains, home of our very own Mount Olympus. At 1,951 metres, it is the highest point on the island. The lower slopes of the Troodos alternate between terraced vineyards and the Phoenician juniper maquis found in abundance near the coast, sprinkled in places with pink rock rose and wild lavender. Bright green pine trees and tall cedars dominate in the higher elevations. This is a region of cool air, abundant nature trails such as the Persephone Trail and Atalanta Trail, and villages of red-tiled roofs where the pace is refreshingly relaxed.

The best way to explore the Troodos area is by renting a car. Roads are excellent, signs are in English as well as Greek (as everywhere else) and the panoramas are awe-inspiring. A good starting point is the Pitsylia area, with numerous villages where you can sample local wines, honey and cheeses. The largest hill resort is higher up, Platres, immortalized in George Seferis’ poem according to which the “nightingales of Platres” sing all night long. The upper portion of the town, Pano Platres, exudes an Alpine feel with its small hotels, cafes and bakeries. In the wintertime, Platres is a good starting point for skiing excursions to Mount Olympus. The Troodos is also home to ten painted Byzantine churches, all on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.                                                                                           

Places of interst in Troodos mountain area:

PANAGIA TOU ARAKA CHURCH: The 12th century church situated just outside the village has frescoes which are some of the finest of the late Comnenian style (c1192) prevailing throughout Greece, the Balkans and Russia. Visitors can ask for the key and be escorted by the priest who is to be found in the premises next to the church.

PANAGIA TIS ASINOU CHURCH NIKITARI : An early 12th century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary with frescoes of the 12th century and the later periods, considered to be among the finest examples of Byzantine mural painting in the island. Visitors should ask for the priest of Nikitari village to escort them. KYKKOS MONASTERY: The most famous and richest monastery in Cyprus. Founded in 1100 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it possesses one of the three surviving icons ascribed to Saint Luke. The icon, covered in silver gilt and enclosed in a shrine of tortoiseshell and mother-of -pearl, stands at the front of the iconostasis. The first President of Cyprus, Archibishop Makarios III served here as a novice. At his own wish he was buried at Throni, 3 km west of the Monastery, and not far form his native village of Panagia. Religious fairs are held at Kykkos on the 15th August and 8th September. The Museum of Kykkos, www.kykkos-museum.cy.net, houses an important collection of consecrated vessels and Cypriot antiquities. ARCHANGELOS MICHAIL: The painted church of Archangelos Michail in the lower part of the village dates from 1474. A few metres from the church is the Pedoulas Byzantine Museum.