Cyprus: Troodos places of interest - Part 3

PALAICHORI VILLAGE

As its name implies (palaio means old) this is a very old village. The village is mentioned in 13th-century documents and it is believed the King of Cyprus Henry II gave it to the Knights Templars. Even today some of the surnames of the inhabitants have Latin roots. The 16th century of Panagia Chrysoplantanassa has marvellous wall paintings.

1. The church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour (Metamorphosis tou Sotiros)

A listed UNESCO World Heritage site, the church is an early 16th century chapel on the hill overlooking the village. Its interior is completely painted with one of the most accomplished series of murals of the post-Byzantine period.

2. Byzantine Heritage museum

The museum is housed in a restored building, it exhibits Byzantine artefacts and icons from the churches of Palaichori and nearby villages. The exhibits date from the 12th to the 17th centuries. They include silver and bronze work. wood carving and textiles.

PLATANISTASA VILLAGE

The church of Stavros tou Agiasmati

About 3km outside the village of Platanistasa there is a renowned church of Stavros tou Agiasmati, a listed UNESCO World Heritage, it retains the most complete cycles of mural paintings of the second half of the 15th century.

LAGOUDERA VILLAGE

The church of Panagia tou Araka

Te 12th century church of Panagia tou Araka is a listed UNESCO world heritage. It contains some of the finest frescoes of the late Comnenian style comparable to those prevailing throughout Greece, the Balkans and Russia. Te church along with the churches of Asinou and of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, are considered to be the most important Byzantine period churches on the island. Visitors may ask the priest to open the church.

SPILIA VILLAGE

Olive press

A single room stone building with a pitched roof, restored by the Department of Antiquities in 1995. The 19th-century wooden olive press machine as well as the stone olive mill, and its millstones are well preserved. Tools for producing olive oil are displayed inside. Visitors may ask for the entrance key from the association of expatriates and friends of Spilia-Kourdali building next to the olive press.

KOURDALI VILLAGE

The church of Panagia Chrysokourdaliotissa

A three-aisled church with a steep pitched roof and flat roof tiles. It was built in the 16th century as the chapel of a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary and founded by deacon Ioannis Kourdallis, according to the foundation stone. The wall paintings are from the same period, with western influences.

The iconostasis is a beautiful example of the 16th and 17th-century woodcarving, with icons from this period. Excellent examples of wood carving make up the old church pews, dating to the 16th century.