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Rating
4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)
User Reviews
RJS (8 months ago)
One of the most beautiful monasteries in Cyprus. The Monastery sits high in the hills of Cyprus (around an hour from Larnaca). Its white walls and red roofs stand out against the green hillsides, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. As you approach, you pass through a simple stone archway into a quiet courtyard, where flowers and olive trees add to the sense of calm. The cobblestone path leads you to the main church, where the famous icon of the Virgin Mary is kept. This icon, believed to have been painted by St. Luke, is beautifully decorated with silver and gold, and it draws visitors from around the world who come to pray and find peace. This monastery with its 1000 years of history, is a place of quiet reflection, offering a glimpse into Cyprus's rich spiritual heritage.
One of the most beautiful monasteries in Cyprus. The Monastery sits high in the hills of Cyprus (around an hour from Larnaca). Its white walls and red roofs stand out against the green hillsides, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. As you approach, you pass through a simple stone archway into a quiet courtyard, where flowers and olive trees add to the sense of calm. The cobblestone path leads you to the main church, where the famous icon of the Virgin Mary is kept. This icon, believed to have been painted by St. Luke, is beautifully decorated with silver and gold, and it draws visitors from around the world who come to pray and find peace. This monastery with its 1000 years of history, is a place of quiet reflection, offering a glimpse into Cyprus's rich spiritual heritage.
david lester (9 months ago)
I am not religious, but to come here and experience. This place he's very humbling. I recommend it thoroughly.
I am not religious, but to come here and experience. This place he's very humbling. I recommend it thoroughly.
Daniil Druzhinin (10 months ago)
Interesting place on Cyprus. For me it was more interesting than kikos monastery. Free entrance
Interesting place on Cyprus. For me it was more interesting than kikos monastery. Free entrance
Untold Europe (12 months ago)
Legend has it that an unknown hermit smuggled one of the 70 icons said to have been painted by Luke the Apostle secretly from Asia Minor to Cyprus. This icon of the Virgin Mary remained in its hiding place until the arrival of two other hermits from Palestine in 1145: Neophytos and Ignatius who stumbled across the icon in a cave. To reach it, they had to machete their way into the cave through the thick plant growth, so the icon assumed the name 'Machairotissa' in reference to the Greek word for knife μαχαίρι (Makhaira). The whole monastery founded on this site takes its name from this icon. This impressive story was told to us by one of the monks in a nice and Christian way to remind our kids to behave more respectful in front of the icon and of course not to take any pictures inside. We share them because this place is a must visit. Don't miss the monastery shop and the opportunity to buy some local herbs, teas, honey The journey to the monastery is not for the faint of heart, especially for those like us, used to drive on the other side of the road, as each twist and turn presents a new test of nerves for drivers and passengers alike. With sheer drops on one side and towering rock faces on the other, it's easy to understand why some may experience a touch of motion sickness along the way. So, if you find yourself feeling a bit queasy on the road to the Holy Monastery of Panagia Machaira, take heart in knowing that your destination awaits—breathtaking views, a place of peace, prayer, and profound connection to the divine.
Legend has it that an unknown hermit smuggled one of the 70 icons said to have been painted by Luke the Apostle secretly from Asia Minor to Cyprus. This icon of the Virgin Mary remained in its hiding place until the arrival of two other hermits from Palestine in 1145: Neophytos and Ignatius who stumbled across the icon in a cave. To reach it, they had to machete their way into the cave through the thick plant growth, so the icon assumed the name 'Machairotissa' in reference to the Greek word for knife μαχαίρι (Makhaira). The whole monastery founded on this site takes its name from this icon. This impressive story was told to us by one of the monks in a nice and Christian way to remind our kids to behave more respectful in front of the icon and of course not to take any pictures inside. We share them because this place is a must visit. Don't miss the monastery shop and the opportunity to buy some local herbs, teas, honey The journey to the monastery is not for the faint of heart, especially for those like us, used to drive on the other side of the road, as each twist and turn presents a new test of nerves for drivers and passengers alike. With sheer drops on one side and towering rock faces on the other, it's easy to understand why some may experience a touch of motion sickness along the way. So, if you find yourself feeling a bit queasy on the road to the Holy Monastery of Panagia Machaira, take heart in knowing that your destination awaits—breathtaking views, a place of peace, prayer, and profound connection to the divine.
Costas Stavrou (13 months ago)
It was a lovely 1 hour drive from Nicosia. The drive through the winding, twisty road through the Machairas Mountains was breath taking. Its Spring time & all the terraced fields were shades of green. The almond trees were starting to burst in to flower. The air was crisp & fresh. We arrived at the Monastery just before the start of Orthodox Lent. The monks were preparing the Church and grounds. You can feel the sacredness of this place. Full of peace, calm, beauty & sanctity.
It was a lovely 1 hour drive from Nicosia. The drive through the winding, twisty road through the Machairas Mountains was breath taking. Its Spring time & all the terraced fields were shades of green. The almond trees were starting to burst in to flower. The air was crisp & fresh. We arrived at the Monastery just before the start of Orthodox Lent. The monks were preparing the Church and grounds. You can feel the sacredness of this place. Full of peace, calm, beauty & sanctity.
