25 Historical Monasteries and Picturesque Churches in Famagusta District for you to Discover!
A journey through culture and history, myths and legends but also the deep religious faith of the region’s inhabitants.
Embark on a captivating journey through the myths, legends, and deep-rooted religious faith that shape the soul of the Famagusta District. As you move from ancient urban centers to quiet villages, you’ll encounter a remarkable collection of chapels and churches that vividly reflect the region’s spiritual and historical identity.
Discovering the Sacred Heritage
Throughout Famagusta region, Byzantine churches proudly stand as enduring symbols of the past. Their weathered stone walls and timeworn frescoes speak volumes about the lives of the people who once gathered within them. Rather than serving merely as architectural landmarks, these monuments remain closely tied to the local community, which has lovingly preserved them over the years.
Moreover, the autumn and winter months offer the ideal climate for exploration. The cooler temperatures encourage leisurely strolls through serene churchyards, while the surrounding landscapes provide a picturesque backdrop. After a morning of discovery, you can relax at a nearby café or tavern for a comforting meal or a warm cup of coffee. In addition, many chapels include picnic areas, inviting visitors to pause and enjoy peaceful moments in nature.
Municipality of Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa
A symbol of the town and one of Cyprus’s most iconic landmarks, this monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Forests. Built partly underground and carved into rock, it dates back to the 15th century and was recently restored. A massive sycamore tree stands at its southern entrance.
The site also includes a cave, crypt, and well—evidence of Christian presence in the area since the 11th century. According to legend, a hunter found a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in the cave. Nearby, a small Byzantine chapel marks the spot where she is said to have rested.
Poet George Seferis, a Nobel Prize winner, was inspired by the monastery to write “Agianapa II”, featured in his collection Log Book III.
Chapel of Agios Epiphanios
Set on a hilltop, this chapel offers breathtaking panoramic views, especially at sunset. Built on the ruins of an older church, it overlooks “Paliochori,” a Byzantine village destroyed in the Arab raids between 632–964 AD.
Ayioi Anargyroi Chapel – Cape Greco
Built above a sea cave, this striking white chapel honors Saints Cosmas and Damianos. Tradition says the saints survived a fierce storm when their boat washed into the cave below. A new chapel was later built on the rock above.
Sotira
Sotira is famous for its Byzantine legacy, featuring early Christian ruins and historic chapels.
Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour
Built on the site of a 4th-century basilica, this church still showcases parts of a mosaic floor. Its current form dates to 16th-century renovations. Inside, 13th-century frescoes reflect the influence of Constantinople’s imperial art.
Chapel of Ayios Mamas
This 16th-century chapel is small but significant. Although many frescoes are lost, three important icons from 1754 have survived. These works are attributed to the Monastery of Saint Heraclidios’ School of Painting.
Ecclesiastical Museum – Ayios Georgios Chapel
Located inside a stone chapel, the museum houses rare icons, Gospels, crosses, and vessels. Notable exhibits include a 16th-century wooden antimension and a 12th-century fresco of Saint Elpidophoros.
Byzantine Churches of Chortakion
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Ayios Georgios Chortakion (12th century): Few original frescoes remain.
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Ayios Theodoros Chortakion: A ruined 12th-century church. Two frescoes in the narthex still exist.
📍 Ayios Georgios Chortakion GPS
📍 Ayios Theodoros Chortakion GPS
Panagia Chordakiotissa
Only the main church, well, and ruined cells remain. Despite the damage, two icons survive: one of Christ and one of the Virgin Mary, known locally as the “Rainmaker.”
Ayia Thekla Chapel & Catacomb
Located by the sea, this scenic chapel sits above the ruins of an early Christian basilica. Nearby is a Roman-era catacomb, once an underground church.
Avgorou
In the village square stands the Church of Ayios Georgios, built between the 10th and 12th centuries. Frescoes from later centuries remain visible inside. Just outside the village is the 16th-century Church of Ayios Georgios Teratsiotis, linked to a local legend involving a monk and a devil uprooting a carob tree.
📍 Ayios Georgios GPS
📍 Ayios Georgios Teratsiotis GPS
Dasaki Achnas
Here you’ll find Panagia Tracheias, a 15th-century church with an arched roof and remnants of frescoes. A 16th-century icon of the Virgin Mary, originally from Ayia Marina in occupied Achna, is preserved inside.
Liopetri
The 16th-century church of Panagia Eleousa, located in the village square, is a single-aisled basilica with a dome. It has undergone expansions in 1868 and 1901. Some original frescoes remain intact.
Municipality of Paralimni – Deryneia
Paralimni – Protaras
Ayios Georgios Church (1859)
Located in the central square of Paralimni, this church was built on the foundations of a Byzantine church. Inside, you’ll find a 19th-century wooden iconostasis and icons of Ayios Georgios.
Ayia Anna Church & Ecclesiastical Museum
Declared a historical monument in 1985, the church now hosts an ecclesiastical museum with valuable artifacts.
Prophet Elias Chapel
This stone chapel stands high on a rock. Visitors must climb 153 steps to reach it, but the panoramic view is worth every step.
Panagiotissa Chapel
Built in the early 20th century and recently restored. Hellenistic-period relics were discovered during renovations. A nearby park features birds and animals.
Ayioi Saranta Chapel
Hidden in the Fanos forest, this 12th-century cave chapel still preserves parts of its hagiographies under a stone dome.
Ayios Nikolaos Chapel – Pernera
A white-and-blue seaside chapel located in a fishing shelter. It’s dedicated to the patron saint of sailors and offers a stunning coastal view.
Deryneia
Ayios Georgios Chapel (15th–16th century)
This Byzantine chapel features a carved iconostasis and a fresco of St. George on horseback.
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
Built in the late 15th century, it contains an iconostasis from 1911 and icons possibly older than the 18th century.
Ayia Marina – Buffer Zone Church
Presumed to date from the 12th century, this church now stands silent within the UN Buffer Zone. On July 17 each year, a special mass is held here, guarded by UN peacekeepers.
Frenaros
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Archangel Michael Church (12th century) preserves only one known fresco today.
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Ayios Andronicous and Ayia Athanasia Church retains dome frescoes showing the Ascension and the Virgin Mary.
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Panagia Asprovouniotissa (15th century) has partially preserved frescoes, including the Crucifixion and Assumption.
📍 Archangel Michael GPS
📍 Ayios Andronicous GPS
📍 Panagia Asprovouniotissa GPS
Acheritou / Vrysoules
Ayios Georgios of Pigadia
This small single-aisled chapel is one of the region’s most picturesque. Though many frescoes have faded, its serene setting is timeless.
