Kykkos Monastery

EXCURSIONS / Religious Monuments / Troodos / Kykkos Monastery
The Monastery of Kykkos, the richest and most lavish of the monasteries of Cyprus, is found in the region of Marathasa.

It is situated on a mountain peak, at an altitude of 1318 metres northwest of Troodos. Dedicated to Panagia, it possesses one of three icons attributed to Agios Loukas the Evangelist. The icon, covered in silver gilt, is in a shrine made of tortoise shell and mother - of - pearl that stands in front of the iconostasis.

The monastery was founded sometime between the end of the 11th century and the beginning of the12th century, during the reign of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118 AD). Unfortunately the monastery burned down several times and nothing remains of the original structure. Blessed with divine grace, Cypriot hermit Isaiah miraculously cured the emperor's daughter of an incurable illness. As a reward, he asked for the icon of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) kept at the imperial palace at Constantinople.

Though grieved at the prospect of losing his precious treasure, the emperor sent it to Cyprus with fitting honours together with funds to pay for the construction of a monastery where the sacred relic would be kept. At the hermit's request, the emperor’s representative in Cyprus Manuel Vutomites also endowed the monastery with three villages. As the gift was later confirmed by imperial charter, the monastery is considered to have been established by imperial decree.

The first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, served here as a novice. At his own wish he was buried on the summit of Throni, 3 kilometres west of the monastery, and not far from his native village of Panayia. The monastery produces zivania and a variety of other alcoholic drinks and holds religious fairs on September 8th (Birth of the Virgin) and August 15th (Dormition of the Virgin).

Tel: +357 22 942 435
Address: Troodos
Operating Hours: The Monastery and the Museum are open daily: November - May: 10:00 - 16:00, June - October: 10:00 - 18:00
Operating Period: All year round
Entrance Fee: Entrance fees for the Museum: 5 Euro (3 Euro for Groups)

 

Σχετικά Άρθρα


Agios Georgios Church - Germasoy...

The church of Agios Georgios located in the village of Germasogia at the highest place of the village, over the river...


Cyprus Folk Art Museum

The Cyprus Folk Art Museum was founded by a few keen members of the Society of Cypriot Studies in 1936.


Church of Αgia Anastasia

The second local path of the Limassol district begins from Pano Polemidia and the Church of St. Anastasia, which is the...


Carob Museum and Factory - Black...

Unique museum housed in a traditional stone building devoted to the history of carob, including a guided tour about carob...