Cyprus: Troodos places of interest - Part 5

PANAGIA ASINOU CHURCH

The Panagia Asinou church is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a small church dedicated to the Virgin of “Phorbia”, with wall paintings dating from the 12th to the 17th century, which are considered to be some of the finest on the island. the name comes from an 11th century BG Greek city called Asine.

EVRYCHOU VILLAGE

CYPRUS RAILWAYS MUSEUM

The Cyprus Railways Museum is housed in the old Railway station near Evrychou village. In the Troodos mountains. Original documents, drawings, photos and various objects related to the Cyprus railways are exhibited in the museum rooms. At the rear side of the museum, the platform and the part of the track have been reconstructed and the original rails have been used. A hand pump track used for the inspection of the line and a freight wagon is exhibited in the yard.

WEST OF TROODOS

MARATHASA VALLEY

Marathasa is a fertile valley, known for its cherry trees, situated on the northern slopes of the Troodos range. It is dotted with picturesque villages such as Kalopanagiotis, Moutoulas and Pedoulas. It can be reached from the North along the Nicosia-Evrychou-Troodos road and from the south along the Lemesos-Platres-Prodromos road.

PEDOULAS VILLAGE

PEdoulas is a hill resort renowned for its cherries. In the village, one can visit the church of the Archangelos Michael, the Byzantine Museum and the Folk Art Museum.

The painted church of the Archangelos Michael is situated in the lowest part of the village. It is listed UNESCO World Heritage site and dates to 1474. It has a pitched wooden roof typical of the Troodos churches. The wall paintings are in the local post-Byzantine style that developed prior to Venetian rule.

Pedoulas Byzantine museum is located a few metres away from the church. It was established to house and preserve icons and artefacts dating from the 12th century. All the exhibits come from churches in the region.

The Folk art Museum exhibits depict the way of life, customs, traditions and history of the Marathasa village communities. On view are traditional rural objects, such as local dresses, wood-carved furniture and other household and agricultural objects.

MOUTOULLAS VILLAGE

The church of Panagia tou Moutoulla is a tiny 13th century chapel, has a steep-pitched wooden roof and frescoes dating to 1280. It is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. The village of Moutoullas has an ongoing tradition for crved wooden basins.