rene boulay · CC BY-SA 3.0 Why visit
The monastery offers a very different form of religious heritage from Cyprus’s large basilicas and urban churches. Its defining space is the hermitage cut into the cliff, where architecture, painting and the story of a medieval recluse meet in an intimate setting. The surrounding monastery and wooded slopes add context without overwhelming the original focus. The stop works especially well when placed beside nearby sites from the same region, because the contrast in landscape, architecture or historical period makes the wider character of Cyprus easier to understand.
What you will see
- Rock-cut Enkleistra.
- Byzantine wall paintings.
- Monastery church.
- Hillside setting.
History
Neophytos the Recluse established his hermitage here in the 12th century. The rock-cut Enkleistra and its wall paintings became the spiritual focus of a monastery that developed around it.
Visitor tips
- 1
Allow time for the surrounding landscape or historic streets where these form part of the site context.
- 2
Check current official information before relying on a particular entrance, service, crossing arrangement or interior visit.
About Paphos Coast & Ancient Paphos
Ancient Paphos, Kouklia and the south-western coast combine UNESCO archaeology, harbour fortifications and religious sites.
Open the Cyprus guide
