Walking in the Troodos Mountains Cyprus
The most popular sport is walking. (Even if an occasion¬al snake may cross your path, only one in a hundred has a remotely harmful bite.) There is an easy 30minute stroll via a trout farm at Psilon Dhendron over to the pretty little Caledonian Falls.
The hardier rambler may carry on for another 60 minutes along a nature trail through the ever¬green forest up to TroodosA short drive west of Platres is the friendly little village of Phini. With luck, the fine but higgledy-piggledy folklore museum may be open. In any case, have a coffee with the locals and then follow a hand-¬lettered sign up to the home of the local potter.
Together with her whole family, the lady makes traditional Cypriot red clay ceramics and will be happy to let you watch them work. Troodhitissa Monastery, 8 km (5 miles) to the north, was founded in the 13th centu¬ry by a couple of hermits who had a vision in a near¬by cave.
Their church was twice destroyed by fire and the new one was built in 1731, with modern accommodation for guests. The si I verencased icon of the Virgin Mary and a holy leather belt (ayia zoni) with fertility powers for barren women attract considerable crowds on 15 August (As¬sumption Day).
The town of Troodos Cyprus
Just 8 km (5 miles) up¬hill from Platres, the little res¬ort town of Troodos is, at 1,676 m (5,500 ft) the island's highest resort, high enough to provide some decent skiing slopes in the winter. In sum¬mer, it offers a few tennis courts and a tournament ¬and at weekends a lively throng of day trippers along its 'Main Street' stalls, shops and cafes. Ramblers tackle stark mountain trails through the forests of great twisted Aleppo pine struggling up out of the reddish clay and rocky cliffs.
Armchair mountaineers may prefer to drive up above the town Cyprus's tallest peak, Mount Olympus, 1,951 m (6,40 I ft). Ignore the giant 'golf ball' radar installation on the summit and, ifvisibility allows, look out over the length and breadth of the whole island.
Kakopetria and car rentals at Larnaca Airport
Exploring Cyprus is easy by hire car from Larnaca Airport, and you can save time and money by pre-booking your rental car before you fly.This is a favourite resort for Nicosians. If you are coming from the capital, continue on from your trip to Assinou . In the old part of town overlooking the ancient wood¬en flour mill, the balconied houses are being beautifully restored to bring out the subtle russet, amber and silver hues of the local stone.
Visit the nearby monastery church of St Nicholas of the Roof (Ayios Nikolaos tis Steyis). An upper roof of shin¬gles was built in the 13th century to shelter the older domed roof of tiles. Inside, its oldest frescoes date from the church's foundation in the 11th century, notably a Raising of Lazarus and the Transfiguration. Note, too, the highly expressive Nativity, Entry into Jerusalem and Cru¬cifixion, all from the 14th cen¬tury when Byzantine formal rigidity was breaking down.
West to Kykko and the Cedar Valley Cyprus
The road west from Troodos winds through pine groves, vineyards and orchards of ap¬ples, pears, peaches, cherries, almonds and walnuts to Prodhromos, 1,402 m (4,600 ft) above sea level. The mod¬est hotels and restaurants are popular with hikers. It has a highly respected Forestry Col¬lege and you can visit the experimental orchard at Trik¬ouchia, where new varieties of fruit are cultivated. Further downhill is Ped¬houlas, famous for its cherries and a popular destination in spring for Cypriots who flock to see the thousands of trees in blossom.
Below the main church, the smaller, 15th century Archangel Michael Church occupies an impres¬sive site on a steep hill over¬looking the valley. The most remarkable of its frescoes is a fierce representation of Michael himself.
A giant cedar tree in the village centre is estimated by the Forestry Department to be over 450 years old as a priest re¬marked, 'sprouting in the blessed days before the fall of Constantinople. Some 20 km (12 miles) from Pedhoulas, Kykko Mon¬astery sits proudly remote from the world on a mountain side surrounded by pine forest. It is the island's most important pilgrimage monastery and included.
Archbishop Makarios among its novices. (It was also reputed to have served as a communications and supply base for the EOKA movement in the 1950s.) Founded in 1094 by a hermit, it grew in prestige when Emperor Alexis Comnenos gave it a rich land grant and an icon of the Virgin Mary said to have been painted by St. Luke. The icon sur¬vived several fires and is now covered in gilded silver. Its legendary rainmaking powers still bring in farmers to pray with the monks in time of drought.
Today's buildings are bright and modern for the re¬ception of pilgrims, particular¬ly numerous at weekends for mass baptisms. By the hal¬lowed icon of the Virgin Mary, offerings range from expensive jewellery to cheaper options. Outside, dozens of knickknack stands line the way to a pleasant cafe terrace.
The tomb of Archbishop Makarios
Uphill beyond the mon¬astery is the Tomb of Arch¬bishop Makarios. In a site he chose long before his death, the venerated national leader is buried in a stylized cavetomb watched over by an honour guard of the Cypriot army. Home of the moufflon mountain sheep and a broad grove of cedar trees, Cedar Valley lies 14 km (9 miles) west of Kykko. Despite the unpaved road, it is worth the ride.
Together with the Aleppo pine, plane and gold oak, the cedars make it a delightful set¬ting for a hike or picnic. The valley boasts some 50,000 ma¬jestic specimens of the variety Cedrus brevifalia which the island shares with its neigh¬bour, Lebanon. The oldest here, says the Forestry Department, dates back 850 years and stands 30 m (l00 ft) tall.
The hardier rambler may carry on for another 60 minutes along a nature trail through the ever¬green forest up to TroodosA short drive west of Platres is the friendly little village of Phini. With luck, the fine but higgledy-piggledy folklore museum may be open. In any case, have a coffee with the locals and then follow a hand-¬lettered sign up to the home of the local potter.
Together with her whole family, the lady makes traditional Cypriot red clay ceramics and will be happy to let you watch them work. Troodhitissa Monastery, 8 km (5 miles) to the north, was founded in the 13th centu¬ry by a couple of hermits who had a vision in a near¬by cave.
Their church was twice destroyed by fire and the new one was built in 1731, with modern accommodation for guests. The si I verencased icon of the Virgin Mary and a holy leather belt (ayia zoni) with fertility powers for barren women attract considerable crowds on 15 August (As¬sumption Day).
The town of Troodos Cyprus
Just 8 km (5 miles) up¬hill from Platres, the little res¬ort town of Troodos is, at 1,676 m (5,500 ft) the island's highest resort, high enough to provide some decent skiing slopes in the winter. In sum¬mer, it offers a few tennis courts and a tournament ¬and at weekends a lively throng of day trippers along its 'Main Street' stalls, shops and cafes. Ramblers tackle stark mountain trails through the forests of great twisted Aleppo pine struggling up out of the reddish clay and rocky cliffs.
Armchair mountaineers may prefer to drive up above the town Cyprus's tallest peak, Mount Olympus, 1,951 m (6,40 I ft). Ignore the giant 'golf ball' radar installation on the summit and, ifvisibility allows, look out over the length and breadth of the whole island.
Kakopetria and car rentals at Larnaca Airport
Exploring Cyprus is easy by hire car from Larnaca Airport, and you can save time and money by pre-booking your rental car before you fly.This is a favourite resort for Nicosians. If you are coming from the capital, continue on from your trip to Assinou . In the old part of town overlooking the ancient wood¬en flour mill, the balconied houses are being beautifully restored to bring out the subtle russet, amber and silver hues of the local stone.
Visit the nearby monastery church of St Nicholas of the Roof (Ayios Nikolaos tis Steyis). An upper roof of shin¬gles was built in the 13th century to shelter the older domed roof of tiles. Inside, its oldest frescoes date from the church's foundation in the 11th century, notably a Raising of Lazarus and the Transfiguration. Note, too, the highly expressive Nativity, Entry into Jerusalem and Cru¬cifixion, all from the 14th cen¬tury when Byzantine formal rigidity was breaking down.
West to Kykko and the Cedar Valley Cyprus
The road west from Troodos winds through pine groves, vineyards and orchards of ap¬ples, pears, peaches, cherries, almonds and walnuts to Prodhromos, 1,402 m (4,600 ft) above sea level. The mod¬est hotels and restaurants are popular with hikers. It has a highly respected Forestry Col¬lege and you can visit the experimental orchard at Trik¬ouchia, where new varieties of fruit are cultivated. Further downhill is Ped¬houlas, famous for its cherries and a popular destination in spring for Cypriots who flock to see the thousands of trees in blossom.
Below the main church, the smaller, 15th century Archangel Michael Church occupies an impres¬sive site on a steep hill over¬looking the valley. The most remarkable of its frescoes is a fierce representation of Michael himself.
A giant cedar tree in the village centre is estimated by the Forestry Department to be over 450 years old as a priest re¬marked, 'sprouting in the blessed days before the fall of Constantinople. Some 20 km (12 miles) from Pedhoulas, Kykko Mon¬astery sits proudly remote from the world on a mountain side surrounded by pine forest. It is the island's most important pilgrimage monastery and included.
Archbishop Makarios among its novices. (It was also reputed to have served as a communications and supply base for the EOKA movement in the 1950s.) Founded in 1094 by a hermit, it grew in prestige when Emperor Alexis Comnenos gave it a rich land grant and an icon of the Virgin Mary said to have been painted by St. Luke. The icon sur¬vived several fires and is now covered in gilded silver. Its legendary rainmaking powers still bring in farmers to pray with the monks in time of drought.
Today's buildings are bright and modern for the re¬ception of pilgrims, particular¬ly numerous at weekends for mass baptisms. By the hal¬lowed icon of the Virgin Mary, offerings range from expensive jewellery to cheaper options. Outside, dozens of knickknack stands line the way to a pleasant cafe terrace.
The tomb of Archbishop Makarios
Uphill beyond the mon¬astery is the Tomb of Arch¬bishop Makarios. In a site he chose long before his death, the venerated national leader is buried in a stylized cavetomb watched over by an honour guard of the Cypriot army. Home of the moufflon mountain sheep and a broad grove of cedar trees, Cedar Valley lies 14 km (9 miles) west of Kykko. Despite the unpaved road, it is worth the ride.
Together with the Aleppo pine, plane and gold oak, the cedars make it a delightful set¬ting for a hike or picnic. The valley boasts some 50,000 ma¬jestic specimens of the variety Cedrus brevifalia which the island shares with its neigh¬bour, Lebanon. The oldest here, says the Forestry Department, dates back 850 years and stands 30 m (l00 ft) tall.
Labels: Kakopetria and car rentals at Larnaca Airport, tomb of Archbishop Makarios
posted by The Car Hire Guy at
09:20
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home