Troodos
The Troodos massif that stretches across the centre of Cyprus and reaches up to 1.952 metres at Mount Olympos, is truly spectacular, a rugged but easily accessible region brimming with nature trails, 12th to 15th century frescoed churches, winemaking villages and pine forests. The main resorts of the Troodos, are Platres and Kakopetria, cosmopolitan villages with attractive bakeries, shops and refreshing alpine atmosphere.
Kykko Monastery is 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.
Kykkos Monastery
The monastery is located 12km after Pedoulas village in Troodos mountain area.
Museum of Kykkos Monastery
Tel: 357 22 94 27 36
The Monastery And Museum of Kykkos Monastery are daily open:
November-May: 10:00-16:00
June-October: 10:00-18:00