Things you can do and enjoy at Troodos Mountains – The Island of Cyprus – Monasteries Part a

Visit the Monasteries and the churches Intro: Searching for information for this section I found the below two introductions (intro A and intro B) which I enjoyed reading, maybe we can have a similar but different approach ?? Maybe we can tell a short story of Cyprus Byzantine Christian orthodox roods, why they chose Troodos mountains to build so many churches and monasteries – “away from the threatened coastline”, how this isolation help the development and the preservation/maintenance of the monasteries/churches. Maybe we can reflect in time with the knowledge of today saying that: one can only imagine how things were in the 11th century when most of these churches/monasteries started to get build if you consider that even now, with the 20th century cars and technology Troodos mountains, high in altitude – 1,952 meters, can be a challenge to reach or to stay there when the weather is bad (snowing, windy, etc). This only gets better if we take out the streets that were build, assume of colder winters, more rains and consequently denser plantation. In addition, imagine people traveling with the horses, or mules, imagine how they built the monasteries and the churches, how advance (regarding expertise – know how) and how tough they were, and another question that arises: what did make so many people at the time to become monks? How powerful and how religious they were? Or how deep orthodoxy was in their culture? Indeed, Byzantine was orthodoxy and orthodoxy was Byzantine. This is still very strong in our days – we still have many monks, monasteries and orthodoxy is still deep in our culture. Intro A: “Discover the island’s deep religious roots and its significance in the history of Christianity as you follow a path that takes in sacred churches and monasteries, all revered and priceless in their evidence of faith, and humbling to behold. A genuine Byzantine treasure trove is nestled in the mountain range of Troodos, and reveals the island’s religious heritage through Holy buildings that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. With the island situated at crucial crossroads of the Eastern Mediterranean, the land is characterised by one of the greatest concentrations of churches and grandiose monasteries of the former Byzantine Empire. With 10 of these beautifully painted churches included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, days out can be spent driving through the areas of Pitsilia, Solea and Marathasa to uncover the stories of their origins, which are as fascinating as the structures themselves. Unique steep-pitched timber roofs shelter chunky wooden doors that open up onto an array of vivid icons and frescos depicting saints, Apostles and stories from the Bible in all their colourful glory. The sequence of churches dedicated to the Holy Cross is particularly significant. They pay tribute to Agia Eleni, Mother of Constantine the Great, who passed through Cyprus when returning from the Holy Land and was integral in paving the path of Christianity on the island.”) Link: http://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/rural/religious-routes/item/874-byzantine-route-10-painted-churches-of-troodos-religious-route Intro B: “The Troodos mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus. There are many mountain resorts, Byzantine monasteries, and churches on mountain peaks, and nestling in its valleys and mountains are villages clinging to terraced hills. The area has been known since antiquity for its mines, which for centuries supplied copper to the entire Mediterranean. In the Byzantine period it became a centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries were built in the mountains, away from the threatened coastline.” Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troodos_Mountains#Churches”>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troodos_Mountains#Churches The monasteries/churches: There are a number of churches and monasteries at Troodos mountains, some of them are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These churches and monasteries are: • Stavros tou Ayiasmati • Panayia tou Araka • Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri • Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis • Panayia Podithou • Assinou • Ayios loannis Lampadistis at Kalopanayiotis • Panayia tou Moutoula • Archangel Michael at Pedoulas • Transfiguration of the Saviour Palaichori Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troodos_Mountains#Churches In addition to the above famous/well known/ notable or high important monasteries are: • Trooditissa Monastery • Kykkos Monastery • Ayios Ioannis Lambadistis Monastery in Kalopanagiotis • Church of Panagia in Moutoula • Archangelos Micheal Church and Byzantine Museum in Pedoulas • Church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis ‘Saint Nicolas of the Roof’ • Church of Panagia Asinou • Monastery of Panagia tou Araka in Lagoudera • Machairas Monastery Link: https://www.myguidecyprus.com/troodos-mountains-monasteries • Monastery of Timios Stavros – Omodos Link: https://www.cyprusisland.net/cyprus-monasteries/monastery-timios-stavros-omodos I would like to say few things for the above monasteries – not the entire story, we will do this at a later phase- once we finish telling the main story but I think we should give some info, say a short story and let the reader know that we will come back for a dedicate article for each of the monasteries above. Below I attach some the links with the info of these monasteries and give some input with personal memories: General memories of me visiting the Troodos mountains monasteries: Although most of the times I go to Troodos mountains is during winter months to enjoy a good ride with my car, or take the dogs for a walk in the numerous nature trails, I do go occasionally to the Troodos mountains monasteries to light a candle and to see again these magnificent (regarding architect, history and culture) monuments which we are lucky to have in Cyprus. I really enjoy driving there and watching the way they emerge through the mountains and forest. I remember since I was a kid visiting many monasteries with my family, especially in August 15 which for orthodoxy is a big religious day – “Each year on August 15 or Dekapentavgoustos on the Greek Orthodox Christian calendar, the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is celebrated. It is a national and religious holiday that marks the “falling asleep,” repose or kimisis of the Virgin Mary, mother of the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Link: http://livingingreece.gr/2007/08/14/august-15-dormition/ Two big monasteries are dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Trooditisa Monastery and Kykkos Monastery. Each year thousands of people visit these monasteries to pray, to light a candle and later to go the various nearby camping places to make the traditional “souvla” – Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souvla as many fast from the 1st of August to the 15th of August. On the 15th, they usually go to the church and then they end to the camping places. Also, this period, like in many places in the word, August is the holiday month, and what a better place from the Troodos mountains! So, I have visited these two monasteries a number of times, and few times in August 15. However, as it is very crowded, I avoid going to these monasteries these days, I prefer visiting them other times when almost no one is there and it is peaceful. Having said that, one must visit this monasteries and Troodos mountains in August 15, only to understand and get a feeling of what is going on. Trooditisa monastery is close to our country home, just a 15-minute driving. Kykkos monastery is a bit farther, a 40-minute drive. Trooditisa and kykkos monastery are almost on an opposite direction, with our country home as a reference. I enjoy driving to kykkos monastery as the scenery is bit different from the one I am used to. However, if you catch a slow car driving in front of you it can be a night mare! The last time I went to Kykkos monastery was last year with Katerina. Katerina has a nice SLK Mercedes Benz, rear wheel drive – perfect for the Troodos mountains turns, we opened the roof and we enjoyed a beautiful ride in the nature! It will be great to do the same with horses I guess! So, we went there for the ride, to enjoy our day and to take an aerial video of the monastery; only to find out that the memory card I had for the drone was malfunctioning. I bought that memory card, notable brand, from my trip in china – and I bought plenty of them because they were really cheap – well it turned to be out that all the memory cards were not working and it was just a cheap Chinese replica. It wasn’t funny at all I got very frustrated and I can feel the same even now when I write these words. Anyway… It happened so I must go again and take that video which I will share with the Island of Cyprus audience! I have also visited the Monastery of Timios Stavros in Omodos a number of times with my family and last summer with Katerina and some of our friends. Omodos is a very nice picturesque village, whose inhabitants did not leave it, instead they adapted in modern life facts – they promote their village as one of the traditional villages, provide agrotourism services etc. There are also many traditional Cypriot taverns and the food is great! Last summer when I was there with Katerina and our friends we went to have lunch in one of these taverns, and then we visited the notable Monastery of Timios Stavros to light a candle. On the way to Troodos Mountains, from the Route C, please refer to the section Route C – Clever Crunchtime Caution of the article written: The A,B,C’s of The Troodos Mountains, Just after Kakopetria village taking the exit to Ayios Nikolaos you find the Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis – ‘Saint Nicolas of the Roof’ Church. I went there for camping when I was teenager. It is considered to be a good camping site with nice facilities for the kids, and every year many kids spend one or two weeks there. However, I didn’t like it – it was too quiet for me, I preferred my activities in city so I left after few days: P Reflecting back, It would have been nice if I stayed a bit longer. The camping site was next to the Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis ‘Saint Nicolas of the Roof’ as the camping was organized by the church of Cyprus. Although I pass many times from there, on my way to Troodos mountains, I haven’t stopped there since then; and I always say one day I will stop to visit the church, light a candle, take some photos and videos but I never do as I am always in a rush. However, it is time to do it as I have promised to deliver with nice articles, photos and videos from all around Cyprus! Panagia tis Asinou is another beautiful monastery, in Troodos area, 3km from Nikitari village. It is very close to Nicosia, just 40 minutes’ drive and for this reason we have been there a number of times with Katerina and friends. It is also close to where we go horse riding so many times we combine these two. Also in the area there are a number of Cypriot taverns with nice food, and many times we ended there. Ayios loannis Lampadistis at Kalopanayiotis – we have visited Ayios Ioannis Lampadistis recently. It was Easter Tuesday, a holiday for many companies at the Island of Cyprus, both me and Katerina we were home, it was a rainy day, we had planned to go to Troodos mountains with Aimi and Bakudai, but the heavy rain forced us to change our plans. So, we decided to get into the car and go for a ride till Kalopanagiotis village, a village located at Troodos Mountains range, to see firstly the Venetian bridge and then visit the church. We were impressed by the church, but we were more impressed by the rich history: “Originally a monastery, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a complex of three churches – Ioannis Lampadistis, Agios Irakleidios and a Latin chapel – all under a single, enormous timber roof.” Link: http://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/culture-religion/sites-monuments/item/258-agios-ioannis-lampadistis-church Information on the monasteries – we should say something, even briefly. For the four monasteries I gave personal input maybe we can blend the memories with the info. – I leave this entire up to you – maybe we will flood the reader with unnecessary info at this time, and we can leave it and write dedicated articles later. Stavros tou Ayiasmati Panayia tou Araka Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis Panayia Podithou Assinou Ayios loannis Lampadistis at Kalopanayiotis Panayia tou Moutoula Archangel Michael at Pedoulas Transfiguration of the Saviour Palaichori Trooditissa Monastery Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trooditissa_Monastery Link: http://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/culture-religion/sites-monuments/item/271-trooditissa-monastery Link: http://www.chooseyourcyprus.com/troodos-religion/monastery-trooditissa.html i did like this intro from the below link Halfway along the southern road between Platres and Prodromos, buried deep into the mountains in a beautiful setting among pine, walnut, cherry and apples trees. This old monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Link: https://www.myguidecyprus.com/things-to-do/trooditissa-monastery Tripdadvisor reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g3870266-d6975786-Reviews-Trooditissa_monastery-Troodos_Limassol_District.html Kykkos Monastery I find the history behind Kykkos monastery fascinating, maybe we can say something: Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kykkos_Monastery Link: http://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/culture-religion/sites-monuments/item/263-kykkos-monastery Some reviews from Trip Advisor: Link: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g3870266-d7142884-r560706537-Kykkos_Monastery_Troodos-Troodos_Limassol_District.html Link: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g3870266-d7142884-r560363754-Kykkos_Monastery_Troodos-Troodos_Limassol_District.html At Kykkos Monastery one can aslo visit the Kykkos Monastery Museum (Link: http://www.chooseyourcyprus.com/museum-of-kykkos-monastery.html ) and the Throni Hill: Link: http://exploringcyprus.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/throni-hill-and-makarios-tomb.html Tripadvisor reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g190383-d6405674-r347387527-Tomb_of_Makarios_III-Nicosia_Nicosia_District.html Ayios Ioannis Lambadistis Monastery in Kalopanagiotis Church of Panagia in Moutoula Archangelos Micheal Church and Byzantine Museum in Pedoulas Church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis ‘Saint Nicolas of the Roof’ Church of Panagia Asinou Link: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panagia_tis_Asinou Link: http://www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/discovercyprus/culture-religion/sites-monuments/item/265-panagia-asinou-church Link: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g190383-d2408822-Reviews-Panagia_Asinou_Church-Nicosia_Nicosia_District.html Monastery of Panagia tou Araka in Lagoudera Machairas Monastery