Formed 70 million years ago the Troodos mountain range is the oldest landmark of the island and the famous ancestor of Cyprus. Today the Troodos Mountains sheltered on their slopes cozy and picturesque villages, Byzantine monasteries, and ancient ruins that attract tourists from different countries.
The cool mountain forests growing on the slopes of the Troodos Mountains are an ideal refuge from the heat on a hot summer day. In these Cypriot forests, more than a hundred species of plants grow: pine and oak trees, strange giant cacti and strawberry trees, cypresses and junipers, alder and cedar elders. By the way, the Cyprian cedar recently celebrated its 800th anniversary.
Troodos Mountains - nature reserve .In the summer, vacationers are fleeing here from the coastal heat, and in winter the slopes of Mount Olympos are wholly at the mercy of skiers..This Cypriot resort is markedly different from everyone else: there they come not to lie in the sun and swim in the ocean, but wander among the mountain ranges, enjoy the clean air, relax in silence and coolness..To please nature lovers with something more than camping and eateries, the Tourist Board together with the Forestry Commission of Cyprus paved many hiking trails to the heights of the Troodos Mountains .
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Skiing
Mount Olympus is equipped with four 150-meter ski lifts, and the necessary equipment can be taken to San Veli. Season skating lasts from January to the end of March.
Troodos villages
Survey of Troodos villages is a separate page in the traveler's diary, because each of them is famous for its special craft. For example, the village Pedulas specializes in the cultivation of cherries, in the village of Mutullas, mineral water is poured from a local source, in parallel the master of wooden tubs. The best fish in the village Kalopanayotis. Apple traded in the village of Prodomas.
Particularly picturesque village of Omodos with its snow-white houses, twined grapes, and bright flower gardens .Fairy-tale atmosphere shines in everything .By the way, it is in Omodos that the biggest key on the island is kept - the key to the gate of the monastery of the Holy Life-Giving Cross, there are even Russian icons in the local church .You can also visit the old press-press and personally see the device for cooking .The life of Cypriot families is detailed in an ethnographic museum in the home of the talkative Socrates Sokratis, in which his family has lived for 400 years to this day..
Another village of Fini is famous for pottery craftsmen and the Museum of Folk Art Fanis Pilavakis. It has long been built small hotels for visitors, there are restaurants that serve appetizing trout (in Greek - pestrofa).
Troodos's Kitchen
The village of Zigi is known for the whole Troodos by its fish taverns, where about 15 dishes are served from octopuses, squid, shrimps, scallops, mussels, cuttlefish, various sea fish, etc.
As for the prices, if you plan to eat richly and inexpensively, any tavern will suit, and it's worth having a meze - it's a set of dishes that are served in the complex. The cost is about 15 Cypriot pounds for two. Meze is also meat and fish. Also appetizing look Suvlaki - Cypriot shish kebab and kefedes - Cyprian cutlets, dolma and moussaka. But the real kleftiko - mutton, cooked in a tightly closed oven, can only be visited by local residents of the Troodos villages.
- To take part in festive celebrations at the monastery Kykkos of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, which falls on September 8.
- Traveling through the Troodos mountains, taste the sweetness of local people from fruits and nuts in candied grape juice (sujuko), as well as homemade wine and odorous goat cheese (halloumi).
- On August 15, visit a noisy religious fair in the closed monastery of Trooditissa.
- Buy elegant embroidery and fragile handmade glassware in the village of Omodos, complete with a bottle of fragrant wine during the annual wine festival in August.
- Ride on a special train on an ostrich farm in the village of Ayios Ioannis, west of Nicosia.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Troodos
Mount Olympos is the highest point in Cyprus, the Cedar Valley, the village of Fini, the famous pottery village of Kakopetria. There are also numerous churches and monasteries, some of them are included in the list of world cultural values of UNESCO and are protected by the state.
Monastery Kykkos
The monastic complex, named in the world of Kykkos, has the full name - Holy Imperial Stavropigial Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Kikks .The uniqueness of this place is that it houses one of the three most ancient miraculous icons of the Mother of God, which was created even during the earthly life of the Virgin and, at her request, the Apostle Luka..Immediately, to the right of the icon is a black cast of the hand, another reminder of the punishment: the withered hand of the person symbolizes punishment for trying to defile the face of the Blessed Virgin with its thoughts and touch .But apart from the holy relics, the beauty and airiness of the monastery architecture, its rich decoration, amazing frescoes, fanciful mosaic murals on the walls are mesmerizing .
In the intricate multiple transitions, it seems as if the story of Christianity is no less intricate, as evidenced by scenes from the Old and New Testaments on the walls .The stone cathedral temple of the monastery Kykkos is divided into three parts, the main one is dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God, the southern one to All Saints, and the northern one to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel .Ancient icons, ancient manuscripts, various church utensils, religious books, rare archaeological treasures are stored in the southwestern part of the Kykkos Monastery, namely in the halls of the Church-Archaeological Museum .
Lagouder
In the village of Lagudera there is also the Church of Panagia tu Arak, it is located 15 km from the village of Agros, near the road Kakopetria - Troodos - Limassol (crossroads of Karvunas). Near the church there is a small monastery building with cells, where the local caretaker of the holy monastery still lives, who, at your request, will spend a short excursion around the surrounding area.
Church in Nikitari
Another church of Panagia Asinu is located 5 km from the village of Nikitari, near the main road Nicosia - Troodos, the path runs through Vizakia and Nikitari about 20 km north of the village of Kakopetria. Visits are allowed in May - August from 9:30 to 17:00, in September - October from 9:30 to 16:30, in November - April from 9:30 to 16:00. The church has preserved the murals of 12-17 centuries, and the name of the church comes from the Greek city of Asene, known since the 11th century.
Temple in Kakopetria
One of the most interesting monuments of the Byzantine era in Cyprus is the church of Agios Nikolaos Tis Stegis, located 5 km from the village of Kakopetria and working with Tue. by sub. from 9:00 to 16:00, on Sunday. from 11:00 to 16:00.
Monastery of Trooditissa
Another ancient monastery of Trooditissa is closed to tourists, it is famous for its miraculous icon of the Virgin in a silver setting (oklad). Other monasteries, Chrysorotissa and Maheras, though they can not boast relics of this level, are also very interesting.
Pedestrian routes
Also in Troodos there are a number of hiking routes that run around Mount Olympus, along the picturesque Krios Potamos River and pass by the Caledonian waterfalls .For example, from the Platres trout farm across the mountains one of the most popular hiking trails running along the river Krios River Potamos .Another route will lead you to the Khantara waterfall (Handara) on the river Diepus Potamos .Nearby there is a trout farm .The shortest way is to walk 1, 5 km along a country road, starting from Fini village, another way is to go from the village of Pano Platres, it, however, extend to 5, 5 km .You can also make a trip during a jeep safari . Photo of Troodos (11)