Agia Sotira tou Soteros

Troödos Mountains


Perched on the slope overlooking Palaichori village, this Unesco-listed early-16th-century chapel contains one of the island’s most complete groups of late Byzantine wall paintings. The work of an unknown master, the paintings depict vivid scenes, such as St Mamas upon the lion. The church also holds a series of iconostases painted by Mt Athos monk Mathaios. To see inside, you may have to call the custodian or ask in the village centre at the Byzantine Heritage Museum.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Troödos Mountains attractions

1. Stavros Tou Agiasmati

3.43 MILES

This Unesco-listed Byzantine church is famous for its 15th-century murals by Orthodox Syrian painter Philippos Goul. In two tiers, the images decorate the…

2. Maheras Monastery

5.51 MILES

It’s a fair hike out to this sprawling monastery perched in the foothills of the eastern spur of the Troödos Mountains and under the all-seeing radar…

3. Panagia tou Araka

5.63 MILES

This 12th-century Unesco-listed church is on the outskirts of Lagoudera. From the outside, it appears enormous, the pitched roof and wooden trellis…

4. Timios Stavros

7.48 MILES

Built in the 12th century, this Unesco-listed church was originally dome-shaped with a single aisle. In the 13th and 14th centuries it was added to with a…

5. Olive Mill of Paphitaina

8.32 MILES

In operation until 1955, this well-preserved olive-stone mill and wooden press are now housed in a traditional building in Spilia’s village centre.

6. Ancient Tamassos

10.7 MILES

Tamassos’ main claim to fame was its once seemingly endless supply of copper – the mineral from which the name of Cyprus (Kypros in Greek; Kıbrıs in…

7. Panagia Forviotissa

10.78 MILES

This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of …

8. Monastery of Agios Irakleidios

11.04 MILES

A visit to this historic monastery – a nun's convent since the 1960s – is easily combined with an excursion to the nearby archaeological site of Ancient…