Cyprus: City of Ammochostos - Part 3

Deryneia Folk Art Museum

Deryneia Folk Art Museum is situated in a beautiful old house, which serves as a charming venue for civil marriages. Its collection consists of folk art items from past centuries.

As one of the fertile ‘red soil villages’ (Kokkinochoria), Deryneia is the main strawberry grower of the island and is famous for its juicy, sweet fruit. Visitors to its Strawberry Festival - which takes place every two years - can enjoy complimentary fresh strawberries and their products, such as juice, jam, liquor and ice-creaCultural centre of Occupied Ammochostos.

The Cultural centre hosts regular presentations and briefings with regard to the Cyprus problem. Binoculars are available for viewing the occupied city of Ammochostos. There is also a small photographic exhibition of the occupied city, as well as a handicraft centre selling traditional items.

Sotira Village

Sotira was an important village in Byzantine times. There are five interesting Byzantine churches in the village, particularly as regards their architecture and beautiful wall structure. The church of Agios Mamas is situated on the eastern side of the village and was built in the early 16th century. Most of its wall paintings also date to the 16th century. About one kilometre to the west stands the cruciform church of Panagia Chordakion and the church of Agios Georgios Chordakion and the church of Agios Theodoros. In the centre of the village stands the church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, with excellent examples of post-Comnenian art (early 13th century)

Ecclesiastical museum

An old chapel has been turned into a museum to house a small but important collection of ecclesiastical artefacts and icons, such as a 15th-century icon of Christ.

Paralimni

After the city of Ammochostos was occupied by Turkish troops in 1974. This small township Became the temporary administrative centre of the district. It has an interesting two-aisled church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which is decorated with unusual 18th-century porcelain plates. Sections of the church that date back to the 13th-century house a small ecclesiastical museum. There are a number of other interesting churches in the wider Paralimni area.

Frenaros village

The village of Frenaros is situated 12km north west of Agia Napa, has a number of small Byzantine churches, such as the churches of Archangelos Michael and of Agios Andronikos, which date to the 12th century. Also of interest is the 15th century of Agia Marina, containing some interesting frescoes painted by different artists only a few of which survive today.

End of part 3