Located near the traditional village of Vavla in the Larnaca district, Agios Minas Monastery is a historic Orthodox convent surrounded by the peaceful countryside of rural Cyprus.…The monastery has roots stretching back several centuries, with its architecture reflecting both Byzantine and Gothic influences. At the centre of the complex stands the church of Agios Minas, surrounded by cloisters and other monastic buildings that have developed over different periods of its history.

Inside the church, visitors can see wall paintings of Agios Georgios and Agios Minas dating from 1757. The monastery continues to be home to a community of nuns, who combine their religious life with traditional activities such as icon painting and the preparation of local products.

With its quiet setting, distinctive architecture and long religious history, Agios Minas offers an interesting stop for visitors exploring the villages and cultural heritage of the Larnaca countryside.

Visitors should dress respectfully when entering the monastery and church.

Located on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains, the Trooditissa Monastery is one of the very few monasteries in Cyprus where the date of formation is unknown. It is believed though based on local tradition that it was founded just after the iconoclastic era (8th-9th century A.D.). The monasteries in general in Cyprus were built after a hermit or hermits had been there originally, often in caves, living a life of spiritual struggle …. The monasteries were then subsequently built around these holy men. The same applies in the instance of Troditissa Monastery. The oldest reference we have of the monastery is of a 14th century deed. There are no remnants of the Middle Byzantine period or of the period of Frankish rule.

Located south of Pentakomo village in the Limassol district, Agios Georgios Alamanos Monastery is a peaceful religious site surrounded by the distinctive landscape of Cyprus’ southern coast.…Originally founded as a monastery in the 12th century, it now functions as a Greek Orthodox convent and is dedicated to Saint George Alamanos. The monastery continues to be an active place of worship and monastic life.

Alongside their religious duties, the nuns are known for icon painting, cultivating flowers and herbs, and producing honey. Visitors can experience the quiet atmosphere of the monastery while discovering another part of Cyprus’ religious heritage.

Located near the village of Troulloi in the Larnaca district, Agios Georgios Mavrovouniou Monastery is a peaceful Orthodox monastery dedicated to Saint George. Its name, “Mavrovouniou”, meaning “of the Black Mountain”, is connected with the distinctive dark landscape of the surrounding area.…The exact origins of the monastery are not clearly documented, although its history stretches back many centuries. Over time, the monastery and its church underwent periods of restoration, eventually returning to active monastic life.

Today, visitors can discover a quiet place of worship surrounded by the rural landscape of the Larnaca district. The monastery remains an active religious site, offering an opportunity to experience a lesser-known part of Cyprus’ Orthodox heritage.

The Monastery of Timios Prodromos (St. John the Baptist) lies in the Troodos forest area of Mesa Potamos. The Monastery “is located among beautiful mountains covered in dense pine forests, has springs of sweet water near a small river or big deluge”. This was written during the 18th century by the Russian wanderer Barsky during his travels of the whole island, noting down and describing all the Churches and Monasteries he encountered.

Sitting on top of a mountain peak, Stavrovouni Monastery, dedicated to the Holy Cross, was founded in 330 A.D. by Saint Helen, the mother of St. Constantine the Great. She brought with her from her travels to the Holy Land a piece of the Holy Cross with which the Monastery derives its name. People can come to venerate it as it is enshrouded in a large silver Cross. From the Monastery, due to its position…one may view the surrounding area including Larnaca bay. The monastic brotherhood is exceptionally devout, keeping strict vows akin to those of Mount Athos in Greece. Women are not allowed in the Monastery; although one of the monks comes down some days to confess them.

Men may visit the Monastery daily from dawn till dusk, except between the hours of 12 pm – 1.pm (3 pm in the summer). The Monastery of Agia Varvara (Saint Barbara) lies at the base of the mountain and the monks there have are renowned icon painters with their reputation for iconography held in high esteem all over Cyprus.

The Monastery of Kykkos is dedicated to Panagia (the Virgin Mary) and contains one of the three icons attributed to Agios Loukas the Apostle and Evangelist. The monastery is the richest and most lavishly adorned Monasteries in Cyprus and tourists visit it by the bus load. It is located in the Marathasa region on a mountain peak at an altitude of 4,320 feet.… The icon itself is covered in silver gilt and lies in a shrine made of mother-of-pearl and tortoise shell that stands in front of the iconostasis (the line of icons in a long decorated wall of wood separating the sanctuary from the rest of the church). The Monastery was founded between 11th-12th century A.D. during the reign of the Emperor Alexios Komnenos I (1081-1118 A.D.).