CYPRUS: Mountains and Monasteries

Kykkos Monastery is one of the most famous and wealthiest monasteries in Cyprus.

It is located in the Troodos Mountains at an altitude of about 1,318 meters (4,300 ft for those that are metric challenged.)

Founded in the 11th century by the Byzantines, the monastery has stunning mosaics and frescoes showcasing traditional Byzantine artistry.

Over the centuries Kykkos Monastery has been a spiritual and cultural center

Today it still remains an active monastery and a major pilgrimage site.

 

 

 

The mosaics in Kykkos Monastery are beautiful examples of Byzantine art, adorning the walls, arches, and courtyards with intricate depictions of saints, biblical scenes and Orthodox Christian themes.

The mosaics have vivid colors, gold backgrounds and fine detail.

There are also vibrant frescoes covering the walls, ceilings, and archways of the monastery.

Painted in vivid colors with golden accents many were created by skilled iconographers over different centuries and serve as a form of visual storytelling and worship, bringing sacred texts to life through art. 

The Monastery is very pretty.

Perched on a hill above the Kykkos Monastery is a small Byzantine-style chapel.

 

 

Leading up to the chapel is a pretty walkway with more beautiful mosaic art. 

 

 

 

It has panoramic views of the Troodos Mountains.

We also went to the Holy Monastery of Stravrovouni. 

 

 

It is believed to have been founded in the 4th century CE and is one of the oldest and most historically significant monasteries in Cyprus. It is perched high on a mountain at an altitude of about 750 meters (2,460 ft for the metric challenged).

The monastery is not widely open to tourists, as it is an active monastic community and is still a place of pilgrimage and spiritual retreat.

There is a church outside the gates to the monastery. It has stone walls and is traditional Byzantine architecture. 

Inside there are traditional Orthodox Christian mosaics and frescoes. 

There are stunning views of the surrounding countryside. 

As tempting as the mountain monasteries are in some respects,

John ultimately decided that it was not in his future.