Troodos Mountains

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Painted Churches in the Troodos Region*
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Fresco detail, Asinou Church
State Party Flag of Cyprus Cyprus
Type Cultural
Criteria ii, iii, iv
Reference 351
Region Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 1985  (9th Session)
Extensions 2001
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
Region as classified by UNESCO.

Troodos is the biggest mountain range of Cyprus, located in the center of the island. Troodos' highest peak is Mount Olympus at 1,952 meters.

Troodos Mountains
Troodos Mountains

Troodos mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus. There are many famous mountain resorts, Byzantine monasteries and churches on mountain peaks, and nestling in its valleys and picturesque mountain villages clinging to terraced hill slopes.

There are nine churches and one monastery in Troodos that are counted among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites and several other monasteries, of which the Kykkos monastery is the richest and most famous. The nine Byzantine churches are:

  • Stavros tou Ayiasmati
  • Panayia tou Araka
  • Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri
  • Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis
  • Panayia Podithou
  • Assinou
  • Ayios loannis Lampadistis
  • Panayia tou Moutoula
  • Archangel Michael at Pedhoulas

The area has been known since ancient times for its copper mines, and in the Byzantine period it became a great centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries were built in the mountains, away from the threatened coastline.


Contents

[edit] Gallery

[edit] Villages of Troodos (selection)

[edit] See also

[edit] External Links

Coordinates: 34°55′N, 32°50′E