Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To report a
forest fire
call 1407.
8
Getting There & Away
All public transport arrives at and departs from the area adjoining the CTO office.
Emel
BUS
Bus 64 runs to/from Platres to Lemesos six times daily from 6.05am to 3.15pm Monday to
Friday, four times on Saturday and twice on Sunday. A single/return costs €1.50/3. Check
the website for more detailed information.
Travel Express Taxis
TAXI
Run from Lemesos to Platres for approximately €50 one way.
THE FRESCOED BYZANTINE CHURCHES OF CYPRUS
Many visitors come to the Troödos region to see the remarkable Byzantine churches, built and decorated with
stunning frescos between the 11th and 15th centuries. Ten of these churches are Unesco World Heritage Sites.
When the French Catholic Lusignan dynasty took control of Cyprus in 1197, work on a series of small
churches in the mountains had already begun. But it was the repression and discrimination exercised by the
Lusignans against the Orthodox Greek Cypriots that prompted the Orthodox clergy, along with artisans and build-
ers, to retreat to the northern slopes of the Troödos Mountains. Here they built and embellished private ecclesiast-
ical retreats where Orthodoxy flourished undisturbed for 300 years.
The culmination of this activity was many churches built in a similar fashion. Most were little bigger than
small barns; some had domes, some did not. Because of the harsh winter weather, large, steeply inclined over-
hanging roofs were added to protect the churches from accumulated snow. Inside, skilled fresco painters went to
work producing a series of vivid images.
Not all churches were lavishly painted, but the Unesco-designated churches represent the finest examples. The
frescos are remarkable for their clarity of detail and the preservation of their colour. The later didactic-style fres-
cos are unusual in that they are painted like a movie strip, ostensibly to teach illiterate villagers the rudiments of
the gospels.
You will need at least two days to visit all the churches. A number of them are kept locked, so you'll have to
track down their caretakers. Donations of €1 to €3 are appreciated. A car is the easiest way to visit most of the
churches, as public transport is sporadic.
