Churches of Cyprus
Some of our favourite trails in Cyprus start or finish near old churches. We like to combine sights/historical places and walks, so we do treasure these trails.
Most of the churches mentioned here can be visited by car but why not follow a charming trail to get there?
A section of the E4 (European Long distance trail) connects two Byzantine churches as both listed as World Heritage Sites.
Panagia tou Araka
This trail starts from Panagia tou Araka church. The 12th-century church is located just outside of Lagoudera. There are Cyprus` most complete series of frescoes inside from the middle Byzantine period. The protective timber roof was constructed in the 14th century.
The path runs on the forested mountainside for about 6km with great views and arrives at Stavros tou Agiasmati.
The 15th-century UNESCO-listed church is home to the most complete mural paintings in Cyprus.
Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis
The Byzantine church used to be part of a monastery built in the 11th century. The second roof – that the name refers to – was added a few hundred years later. Wall paintings cover the entire interior and the church is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A signposted trail – starting near Troodos Square – ends near the church providing great opportunity to admire the paintings inside after the walk.
Asinou
There is another, somewhat hidden trail starting from the road, only about 800 metres from the church. First it follows a wide track but then it narrows down and climbs upstream by the Karkotis River.
From the edge of Agios Theodoros village a path runs along wooded hillsides to the UNESCO World Heritage listed 12th-century Asinou church.
The interior is covered with Byzantine frescoes which date from the 12th to the 17th century.
