Since the dawn of time, faith has always been associated with travel ; travel the world to find one’s self ,  to meet  with history .

And Cyprus  due  to its history and its  geographic location, is rich in religious monuments since the ancient times.

Far from the centers, monasteries  represent  havens of peace and meditation, and churches  old and new are found all over the island.

Cyprus proposes several religious routes and YourCyprusTaxi  will take you to visit the monasteries and churches you want to see. These holy palce are sometimes difficult to locate and access but you can rely on your local driver to reveal all secrets to you.

?oni Stavrovouniou – Tochni – Lefkara 

From Larnaca the Moni Stavrovouniou is quite close, and the Monastery has, however, the rule of ‘avato’ meaning that it is inaccessible to women. But the view of Larnaca bay  from the top of Stavrovouni hills are worth the trip.

Perched on a rocky peak, 750 metres above sea level, legend tells that Stavrovouni Monastery was founded in the 4th century by St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, who left a relic of the Holy Cross at the monastery. The monastery of Agia Varvara on the foothills of Stavrovouni is accessible to all visitors and the monks are known for their iconography skills.

The church of Timios Stavros in Tochni is the only church built on a bridge, the church of Pelendri with the same name has magnificent frescoes of the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. In Omodos, the visitor will see a piece of the rope used to tie Jesus on the cross.

YourCyprusTaxi  proposes  the local route of Larnaka (Larnaca), with the first stop is at the church of ?gios Lazaros. The ?cclesiastical Museum is as well located there, as they constitute two of the most significant monuments of Cyprus.

In Kiti, the church of Panagia tis Aggeloktistis is also very significant Byzantine museum, which houses an arc of an old-Christian church with a mosaic of the 6th century within its interior.

Heading to Kato Lefkara, the route passes from the church of Archangelos Michael, with beautiful frescoes of the 12th and 15th centuries. The church of ?imios Stavros, in Pano Lefkara is located at a point that has a visual contact with the Monastery of Stavrovouni. Although not known when it was built, it is certain that the Monastery of Agios Minas, in Vavla, was revived after 1965 when it became a women’s monastery.

In Hoirokitia lie the ruins of a monastery that once belonged to the Knights Templar, and later to the Knights Hospitaller, whilst the church of Panagia tou Kampou has some significant frescoes.

Pyrga is the last stop of this route and gives visitors the chance to see the Monastery of Stavrovouni – a men’s monastery with a strict ritual, the ?ediaeval Chapel, and the church of Agia Marina.

Total route length: 73 km.

These are only few of the several  churches and monasteries around  the island (many other worthwhile places to visit include Kykkos Monastery, Machairas Monastery, Chryssoroyiatissa  Monastery …) that Yourcyprustaxi proposes.

Get in contact with our office and get your very personal Monastery visits organised by our staff.