Kykkos Monastery

Kykkos Monastery is one of the most important and oldest religious sites in Cyprus. Dating back to the 11th century, the monastery was founded by Alexios I Komnenos, the Byzantine Emperor. It is set atop Mount Troodos - the highest mountain in Cyprus - and its main attraction is a gold-gilded icon of the Virgin Mary. This icon is extremely revered and is believed to possess miraculous powers.

The monastery has an ornate dome and numerous richly decorated chapels for visitors to admire. It also houses an impressive collection of royal vestments, manuscripts decorated with gold and silver threads, religious paintings and ancient books. There are two museums to explore as well – one featuring religious artifacts and the other, Byzantine icons. Kykkos Monastery is surrounded by pristine natural beauty of the Troodos forest, lush meadows and splashing brooks that run along its course. Visitors can unwind with a stroll in the gardens and picnic spots, or pick wild flowers growing in abundance. There are also several ancient churches nearby that are worth exploring.