Chapels

The Church of Panagia Karmiotissa, located northwest of Polemidia and near the new Limassol Hospital, is an abandoned old monastery of the Carmelite monks. On the site where the church stands today, there was many years ago a monastery dedicated to Panagia Eleousa. This monastery was built in the early 14th century by the Carmelite monks, a monastic order of Western Roman Catholics. Unfortunately, there is not much information about the history of this monastery, nor about the exact time of its abandonment.

At a short distance from the parish church of Panagia Evangelistria, and to its west, stands a beautiful and well-preserved church dedicated to Saint George the Great Martyr and Trophy-Bearer. This church, which impresses visitors with its grandeur and architecture, dates back to the 15th–16th century. This church, which once flourished and served as the center of the parish and the entire community, was gradually neglected over the years and suffered significant damage.

The Church of Saint George in Akapnou is a fine example of traditional Cypriot ecclesiastical architecture. It is a single-aisled, timber-roofed basilica located in the center of the village, and its construction is believed to date back to the 18th century. The church preserves the simple architectural style typical of Cyprus’s rural churches, featuring a traditional wooden roof covered with clay tiles and built using locally sourced materials. It was consecrated in 1922 and remains an important part of the village’s religious and cultural heritage.

At the western edge of the village stands the picturesque Church of the Archangel Michael, which replaced an earlier medieval church, as recalled by the village’s older residents. According to local tradition, the church courtyard once hosted village festivals attended by almost the entire community, highlighting its important role in the social life of the village. The present church was consecrated on 6 September 1987 by Metropolitan Chrysostomos II of Paphos. It is a small, whitewashed, and well-maintained chapel with a paved courtyard. Its interior is simple, featuring a wooden iconostasis bearing only three portable icons. In recent years, the church has been gradually adorned with frescoes by the iconographer Andreas Papa-Aristodemou. Today, the church remains an active place of worship, serving mainly during the major feast days of the Archangel Michael, as well as for religious ceremonies such as baptisms. It continues to be an important landmark for both the local faithful and visitors.

The village of Kouka was once home to one of the earliest monasteries in the Limassol district. Today, however, only the Church of the Holy Cross survives. The church is a rare example of ecclesiastical architecture, distinguished by its perfectly cross-shaped ground plan, which gives the building its unique architectural significance.

The Church of Saint George the Trophy-Bearer is located among cultivated fields and is now in a state of ruin. It has been designated a Category B Ancient Monument by the Department of Antiquities. Built of local stone, the church survives only as ruins, parts of which have been carefully gathered and preserved in anticipation of a possible future restoration. Despite its condition, the local community continues to honor the church’s religious significance by maintaining a temporary vigil lamp (kantili) at the site and expressing the hope that the monument will one day be restored. In the meantime, a simple provisional chapel has been erected within the village, where services continue to be held and prayers are offered in honor of Saint George.

The Church of the Holy Cross is located southwest of Anogyra and was built in the late 15th century on the foundations of an Early Christian basilica. It formed part of an old monastic complex and is distinguished by its single-aisled, barrel-vaulted design with a central dome. The church preserves remarkable wall paintings executed in the Palaeologan artistic style. Although they have suffered the effects of time, these frescoes remain important examples of post-Byzantine religious art in Cyprus, reflecting the island’s rich artistic and ecclesiastical heritage.

The Church of Saint John the Baptist is located on the street bearing the same name and serves as the main parish church of the village of Vouni. According to local tradition, four settlements once existed in the area. At the beginning of the 17th century, three of them were abandoned following an epidemic that struck Cyprus, while Vouni remained inhabited, as it was believed to have been protected by Saint John the Baptist. The inhabitants of the deserted settlements subsequently moved to Vouni, where an earlier monastery dedicated to the saint had already been established. The present church is distinguished by its finely crafted stone masonry and the ornate stone frames surrounding its entrances. Its richly decorated bell tower is one of its most striking architectural features. Inside, the church preserves notable 19th-century icons and wall paintings, while the building itself is protected by the Department of Antiquities as an important cultural and historical monument.

The Church of Saint Marina stands prominently in the center of Kyperounta and has long been the spiritual and social heart of the village. Dating back to the 13th century, it is a three-aisled, timber-roofed basilica distinguished by its traditional architecture and its harmonious integration into the mountainous landscape of the Troodos region. The church is built from rough-hewn local stone from the Troodos Mountains, complemented by timber elements that create a warm and welcoming interior. Among its most notable features are the finely crafted double wooden entrance doors, the terracotta-tiled floor, the elegant wooden women’s gallery (gynaikonitis), and the imposing bell tower constructed of finely carved limestone. Together, these architectural elements highlight the church’s aesthetic appeal and its significant historical and cultural value.

The Church of Panagia and Christ the Saviour is nestled in a lush green valley near Kyperounta, surrounded by tall deciduous trees and a beautifully landscaped area featuring a park, fountains, benches, and an artificial stream. The peaceful natural setting, combined with the church’s centuries-old history, makes it a unique place of pilgrimage and a popular destination for visitors. The church is a two-aisled structure with the characteristic timber roof typical of Cyprus’s mountain churches. Its present form dates to the 18th century. Of particular historical significance is the fact that, during the Venetian period, it functioned as a shared church, serving both the Orthodox and the Roman Catholic communities. Inside, the church preserves an impressive carved wooden iconostasis. Among its most important treasures are the portable icons of the Virgin and Child (1556), the Virgin Hodegetria, and the Transfiguration of Christ the Saviour, all of which are outstanding examples of Cyprus’s ecclesiastical artistic heritage.

The Church of the Holy Cross is one of the most important and oldest monuments in Kyperounta. Located a short distance from the village’s main square, it dates back to the Frankish period and is the oldest surviving chapel in the community. Its single-aisled design and characteristic timber roof are typical of the traditional architecture of Cyprus’s mountain churches, while its lush green surroundings enhance the monument’s distinctive beauty and tranquil atmosphere. The church preserves remarkable frescoes dating to 1521, which are important examples of post-Byzantine religious art in Cyprus. Since 1995, the building has housed an exhibition of the village’s ecclesiastical treasures, including historic icons, sacred vessels, and liturgical objects, transforming this historic chapel into a small ecclesiastical museum. The church celebrates its annual feast on 1 August, marking the Procession of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, an important feast in the Orthodox Christian calendar.

The Chapel of Panagia Syrka, situated between Agios Georgios Sylikou and the village of Sylikou, is associated with a former settlement and longstanding local traditions of devotion and pilgrimage. Dating to the late 19th century (1897), the chapel is renowned for its icon of the Virgin Mary, known locally as the “Syngia.” According to local tradition, the chapel has long been linked to miraculous interventions and healing, particularly in cases of illness, making it an important place of worship and pilgrimage for the faithful.

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Amasgou is built on a low hill on the eastern bank of the Kouris River, approximately 1.5 kilometres southwest of the village of Monagri. It is one of the most important Byzantine monastic complexes in Cyprus, with a history spanning more than nine centuries. The exact date of the monastery’s foundation and the identity of its founder remain unknown. However, the earliest frescoes in the katholikon (main church) date to the beginning of the 12th century, suggesting that the monastery was most likely established in the late 11th or early 12th century, a period when many of Cyprus’s major monasteries were founded. Throughout its long history, the monastery underwent repeated destruction, renovations, and extensions. The katholikon is a single-aisled, barrel-vaulted church with a pointed vault and a characteristic two-pitched timber roof covered with tiles. The present building is the result of several successive construction phases. Parts of the original church, including sections of the apse and side walls, have survived, while significant alterations were carried out at the end of the 12th century and during the 16th century, when the structure was reinforced and the current entrances and openings were formed. The interior of the church preserves exceptionally important frescoes dating from different historical periods. The earliest, from the beginning of the 12th century, include depictions of Saint Spyridon and the Holy Fathers Athanasios. From the late 12th and early 13th centuries, scenes from the life of Christ are preserved, including the Annunciation, Nativity, Baptism, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, Raising of Lazarus, Descent into Hades, Ascension, Presentation of Christ, and Pentecost. The frescoes also include representations of Cypriot saints and important hymnographers of the Church. Later frescoes from the 14th century and from 1564 enrich the extensive iconographic programme with depictions of the Virgin Mary, the Communion of the Apostles, the Presentation of the Virgin, and numerous saints. The history of the monastery is closely connected with the ecclesiastical history of Cyprus. During the 17th century, it became the subject of disputes between the Metropolitan See of Kition and the Patriarchate of Alexandria. In 1700, its ownership was officially confirmed in favour of the Metropolitan See of Kition through a synodal act of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. From the end of the 18th century onwards, the monastery was abandoned by the monks and remained in decline for a long period. The revival of the monastery began in 1992, when the katholikon and monastic buildings were restored, while new facilities were constructed in accordance with traditional architectural principles. Since then, the monastery has once again operated as a women’s coenobitic monastery, continuing its centuries-old spiritual tradition and serving as an important place of pilgrimage and cultural heritage in Cyprus.

The Church of Saint George is located in the centre of the community of Monagri and is one of the village’s most important historical monuments. It is a single-aisled, barrel-vaulted church with a distinctive pointed arch, dating back to the late 15th or early 16th century. The interior preserves remarkable frescoes from the same period, which represent important examples of post-Byzantine ecclesiastical painting in Cyprus and reflect the artistic traditions and religious heritage of the era.

The Church of Saint Basil is located approximately three kilometres west of the village of Kaminaria and represents an important example of the region’s ecclesiastical heritage. It is a small, single-room timber-roofed church dating back to the 16th century, with a later western narthex and a sloping roof. The church preserves remarkable 16th-century frescoes which, despite the damage they have suffered over time, remain significant examples of the local artistic tradition of the period. Its architecture is characterized by its simplicity, with a rectangular plan terminating in a semicircular apse, while traces of an earlier portico are preserved along the southern side. After a long period of abandonment, during which the church suffered considerable deterioration, it was restored by the Department of Antiquities in 1966, largely returning it to its original form. Today, it stands as a peaceful religious monument within the natural landscape of Kaminaria, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the traditional architecture and Byzantine heritage of the mountainous Limassol region.

The Church of Panagia is located on a hill at the western edge of Kaminaria and is an important monument of the region’s Byzantine heritage. It is a small, single-room timber-roofed church dating back to the 16th century, preserving remarkable frescoes from the same period. Among the surviving representations, the Crucifixion of Christ, the Virgin Mary in the apse, and various figures of saints are particularly noteworthy. The frescoes reflect the Byzantine artistic tradition while also incorporating influences from Western art. The church stands as an important example of the religious and artistic heritage of the mountainous Limassol region. After a long period of abandonment, during which the church suffered considerable deterioration, it was restored by the Department of Antiquities in 1966, largely returning it to its original form. Today, it stands as a peaceful religious monument within the natural landscape of Kaminaria, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the traditional architecture and Byzantine heritage of the mountainous Limassol region.

According to tradition, the monastery is believed to have been founded in the 7th century, when monks from Palestine sought refuge in Cyprus following the massacres carried out by the Persians in 614 AD, in search of a safe place for spiritual practice. However, there are no historical sources that accurately confirm its foundation or early history, and it does not appear in written records for a long period. Its presence is nevertheless documented on maps dating to the Frankish period, indicating that the monastery existed and was in operation at least since medieval times, continuing its activities through various periods until the Ottoman era.

The Church of Saint George is located in the centre of the village of Monagri and is one of the most important historical monuments of the community. It is a single-aisled, barrel-vaulted church with a distinctive pointed arch, dating to the late 15th or early 16th century. The interior preserves remarkable frescoes from the same period, which are significant examples of Post-Byzantine ecclesiastical art in Cyprus and reflect the artistic tradition of the era.

The Holy Monastery of Panagia Amasgou is situated on a low hill on the right bank of the Kouris River, approximately 1.5 km southwest of Monagri. It is one of Cyprus’s most important Byzantine monastic complexes, with a history spanning more than nine centuries. Although its exact foundation date remains unknown, the oldest frescoes in the main church date to the early 12th century. The main church is a single-aisled, barrel-vaulted structure with a pointed arch and a distinctive pitched wooden roof. Its interior preserves important frescoes from different periods, dating from the 12th to the 16th century, depicting scenes from the life of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and numerous saints. Throughout its long history, the monastery experienced destruction, renovations and periods of decline, and was abandoned by the monks in the late 18th century. Its revival began in 1992 with the restoration of the main church and monastic buildings. Today, it functions as a women’s monastery and remains an important site of pilgrimage and cultural heritage in Cyprus.

The Chapel of Agia Paraskevi is located in the community of Tris Elies in the Limassol District and is one of the area’s notable religious monuments. It is a small, single-aisled, timber-roofed church dating back to the 17th century. Its simple architectural form, featuring a wooden roof, is characteristic of the small mountain churches built in Cyprus during the Ottoman period. The chapel is situated in the wider area between Tris Elies and Lemithou and forms part of the rich religious and cultural heritage of the Marathasa Valley.

The Chapel of Prophet Elias is located approximately 3 kilometres north of Tris Elies, in the mountainous area of the community, at an elevation of around 1,106 metres. The small chapel dates back to the 17th century and is a characteristic example of the religious heritage of Cyprus’s mountainous communities. Its location on the summit of Prophet Elias offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountainous landscape and, according to local sources, as far as the Paphos area.

The Church of Panagia Chrysosotira is located in the centre of Tris Elies and serves as the village’s main church and patronal church. Built in 1743 from local stone, it is designed in the form of a basilica and features a distinctive pitched tiled roof. Additions and restoration works were carried out in 1907, while the old bell tower is a notable architectural feature, extending above the corner formed by the southern wall and the narthex. The church is also closely associated with the religious tradition of the village. A reliquary containing a fragment of the bone of Saint Charalambos is preserved inside the church; according to local tradition, the saint lived and was martyred in the area. The church also houses an icon of Panagia Chrysosotira, dated 1770, painted by the hieromonk Charalambos.

The Church of Archangel Michael in Tris Elies is one of the religious landmarks of the community and forms part of the rich ecclesiastical and cultural heritage of the Marathasa region.

The Church of Saint Demetrios is the main church of the village and is dedicated to Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-streaming. It was built in the early 19th century on the remains of an earlier church and was completed in 1831. The church follows the traditional architectural style of the Marathasa region, featuring a small-scale structure and a timber roof, reflecting the distinctive character of Cyprus’s ecclesiastical heritage. According to local tradition, Saint Demetrios miraculously moved a large rock from the site where the sanctuary was to be built. At the place where the rock came to rest, a spring of holy water is said to have emerged, which is traditionally believed to have healing properties.

The Chapel of Panagia tou Kampou is located at the entrance to the community of Akapnou and dates back to the 16th century. It is a single-aisled, timber-roofed basilica, a characteristic example of Cyprus’s traditional ecclesiastical architecture. Remnants of its painted decoration are preserved inside, although the frescoes suffered significant damage from a fire in the 1970s.

The Church of Saint John the Baptist in Agros is a characteristic example of the traditional architecture found in the villages of the Troodos region. Built in the 19th century, it is located in the southern part of the village. It is a long, timber-roofed church, constructed from rough local stone and covered by a particularly steep roof of traditional clay tiles. Its simple design and the use of local materials highlight the authentic character of Cyprus’s ecclesiastical heritage.

The Church of Archangel Michael is located in the centre of the community of Anogyra and serves as the village’s main church. Dating back to the late 18th century, it stands out for its distinctive architectural features, including a sundial above one of its entrances and a relief decoration in Gothic style above the other. The church celebrates its feast day annually on 8 November and 6 September.

The Church of Saint George is located in Kaminaria and is an important example of traditional Cypriot ecclesiastical architecture. It is an 18th-century, three-aisled, timber-roofed church, with a semicircular apse on the interior and a three-sided apse on the exterior. The three aisles are separated by two rows of arches. Inside, the church preserves a remarkable carved wooden iconostasis, dating from the late 18th century and gilded in 1800. The church also houses important icons from the 18th and 19th centuries, including works by the renowned iconographer Michael Proskynitis.

The small stone-built Chapel of Saint George is located in a peaceful, green setting in Kalo Chorio, surrounded by cypress and pine trees. It is a characteristic example of traditional Cypriot ecclesiastical architecture, featuring a single-aisled structure and a distinctive steeply pitched, timber, tiled roof. The chapel dates back to the 18th century, with an inscription inside referring to 1768 as the possible year of its construction and 1775 as the date of its frescoes. The interior preserves old wall paintings, with the depiction of Saint George standing out among them.

The Chapel of Apostle Luke is located north of Germasogeia Dam, in a picturesque setting near the Amathos River. It is an old stone-built church, constructed in the form of a barrel-vaulted basilica, with a tiled roof and a semicircular apse in the sanctuary. It has two entrances, on the southern and western sides, while a wooden bell tower stands to the east of the church. Its simple architecture, featuring traditional characteristics of Cypriot chapels, blends harmoniously with the natural landscape of the area.

The Church of Saint George is located approximately 300 metres northeast of the village and is a single-aisled church with a dome. Although the original church dates back to an earlier period, it was extended towards the west in the early 20th century. The interior preserves remarkable 15th-century frescoes depicting Christ Pantocrator, the Virgin Mary, the Prophets, the Evangelists and various saints. Despite the damage they have suffered over the years, the frescoes remain an important example of Byzantine painting in Cyprus.

The Church of Apostle Philip is located in the centre of Arsos, Limassol, and is an impressive Byzantine church dating back to the 12th century. Inside, it preserves an 18th-century carved wooden iconostasis, remarkable old icons, as well as the unique 13th-century icon of Apostle Philip, along with part of his relics. Incorporated into the church is the small chapel of Saint Mariamne, the sister of Apostle Philip, which serves as an icon repository and houses an important collection of icons dating from the 15th to the 19th century.

The Church of Panagia Katholiki is located in the western part of Arsos. The present church dates back to 1904 and was built on the ruins of an earlier monastery, which is mentioned in historical sources as early as the 14th century. It is a single-nave church with a wooden pitched roof and a distinctive semicircular apse, preserving the traditional ecclesiastical architecture of Cyprus.

The Church of Panagia Iamatiki is located on the outskirts of the village of Arakapas and is a three-aisled, timber-roofed church. It is distinguished by its impressive frescoes dating from the early 16th century, which are considered important examples of the Italo-Byzantine artistic style in Cyprus. The adjacent newer church houses a remarkable leather icon of the Virgin Mary, which, according to tradition, is considered miraculous and associated with healing properties.