Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
back on track westward for 1km. Head inland and turn right onto the B1 underpass (crossing the A1 motorway)
for about 6km, then head left towards the valley and the scenic village of
5
Tochni
. The north road out of the
village takes you 4km to the impressive prehistoric settlement of
6
Choirokoitia
. From this neolithic site take a
long stretch of climbing road inland northwest to
7
Vavla
, with its wonderfully restored homes. Next is the
pretty, well-signposted stone village of
8
Kato Drys
, with its quaint balconies. A mere 4km more of winding
road brings you to the lace- and silverwork village of
9
Pano and Kato Lefkara
, where you can wander the pre-
cipitous old town or barter for wares. From Pano Lefkara travel north for 7km on a good stretch of road until you
see Lefkara dam on your left. Follow the road right over an incline for 16km to the pottery village of
a
Kornos
.
After some clay hunting, follow the signs and road east, through the underpass (recrossing the motorway), to the
town of
b
Pyrga
, home of the 14th-century Lusignan Chapelle Royale (signposted as 'Medieval Chapel'). This
church is dedicated to St Catherine and houses some fine frescos. About 4km north of the village you can turn
right (east) onto the 104 road, stop in
c
Agia Anna
for meze, then ease back into Larnaka.
Stavrovouni Monastery
Stavrovouni Monastery
CHURCH
(
h
8am-noon & 3-6pm Apr-Aug, 8am-noon & 2-5pm Sep-Mar)
Perched 668m high at the peak of Stavrovouni (literally 'Mountain of the Cross'), this
monastery is revered as the oldest on the island and is said to hold a piece of the Holy
Cross, brought here by St Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, upon her re-
turn from Jerusalem in AD 327. Today this fragment from the Holy Land is preserved in
an ornate 1.2m solid silver cross inside the church.
Ironically, nowadays St Helena herself could not view the cross, as the monastery
grounds are closed to women. The site is still well worth the trip, though, for its uninter-
rupted views of the Mesaoria (Mesarya) plain. On a clear day you can see Famagusta to
the east, Troödos Mountains to the northwest, all the way around to Larnaka and the salt
lake, and as far as the clear blue Mediterranean.
Once inside the monastery you can take a seat in the sun-filled courtyard entrance to the
church, admire the bell tower and ponder monastic life. While male visitors are freely ex-
ploring the many icons and arched hallways, female travellers can spend their time at the
smaller
Church of All Saints
just outside the monastery. All can meet in the souvenir and
bookshop, with a grand array of Bibles, hymn topics and icons for sale. There are also
handmade prayer bracelets (€4), which are wonderful souvenirs.
Stavrovouni is still a working religious community with a score of monks dedicated to
lifelong ascetic principles. Pilgrims and visitors are welcome and can take confession by
request but should arrive during visiting hours only. Photos are prohibited inside the mon-
