| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 Asinou, Panagia Phorbiotissa church: fresco of Christ Pantocrator (narthex). | |
| Location | Troodos Mountains, Cyprus |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iii), (iv) |
| Reference | 351bis |
| Inscription | 1985 (9th Session) |
| Extensions | 2001 |
| Area | 3.693 ha (9.13 acres) |
| Coordinates | 34°55′13″N 33°5′45″E / 34.92028°N 33.09583°E |
  Location of Painted Churches in the Troodos Region in Cyprus  Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (West and Central Asia)  Painted Churches in the Troodos Region (Mediterranean) | |
The Painted Churches in the Troödos Region (Greek: Τοιχογραφημένοι ναοί στην περιοχή του όρους Τρόοδος, romanized: Toichografiménoi naoí stin periochí tou órous Tróodos) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Troödos Mountains of central Cyprus. The complex comprises ten Byzantine churches and monasteries richly decorated with Byzantine and post-Byzantine murals:
- Church of Agios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas) tis Stegis in Kakopetria: An 11th-century monastery and the oldest surviving katholikon in Cyprus
- Agios Ioannis (St. John) Lampadistis Monastery in Kalopanagiotis: A 13th-century monastery
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) Phorviotissa (Asinou) in Nikitari: A 12th-century church
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) tou Arakou in Lagoudhera: A 12th century church
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) in Moutoullas: A 13th-century chapel and the earliest example of steep-pitched wooden roofs
- Church of Archangelos Michael (Archangel Michael) in Pedoulas: A late 15th-century church
- Church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) in Pelendri: A church containing unique 14th-century wall paintings
- Church of Panagia (The Virgin) Podithou in Galata: An early-16th century church
- Church of Stavros (Holy Cross) Agiasmati in Platanistasa: A 14th-century church
- Church of Agia Sotira (of the Transfiguration of the Savior) tou Soteros in Palaichori Oreinis: A 16th-century church.
Initially nine of these churches were designated by UNESCO in 1985 with the church in Palaichori added to the list in 2001.[1] The Church of Panagia Chrysokourdaliotissa in Kourdali, Spilia, was submitted as a potential further extension in 2002 and currently resides on the Tentative List.[2]
Description
In 965 AD, Cyprus was annexed by the Byzantine Empire in the Arab-Byzantine wars. Over a period of 500 years until the 16th century, many Byzantine churches were constructed in the Troödos Region.[1] In fact, this regions holds one of the greatest concentrations of monasteries and churches in the former Byzantine Empire. The World Heritage Site includes a variety of churches, ranging from small chapels to grand monasteries. These site demonstrate the range of architectural and artistic influences affecting Cyprus over the entire Byzantine reign.[1] However, all sites display some architectural elements that are unique to Cyprus, including steep-pitched wooden roofs with tiling.[1]
Panagia Tou Araka, showing the steep-sided wooden roofs of many of the smaller churches
Constantine and Helen, Church of Archangel Michael, Pedoulas
Birth of Christ in Agios Nikolaos Tis Stegis
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Painted Churches in the Troödos Region". UNESCO World Heritage List. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ↑ "Church of Panagia Chrysokourdaliotissa, Kourdali (extension to "Painted Churches in the Troodos Region")". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 2 January 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2012.