Destinations
Sotira
Sotira Village
With a population of 1,500 people, Sotira has taken its name from a church, situated in the centre of the village which is dedicated to the transfiguration of Jesus Christ the Saviour (Sotira in Greek means saviour). The church displays excellent examples of post Komninian art (13th – 16th centuries), Near the east entrance of the village stands Ayios Mamas, which is initially built in the 12th century and later rebuilt in the 16th century. The present frescoes dated back also to the 16th century. About 16 miles to the west lays the cruciform of Panayia Khordajiotissa, which also is dated backs to the 15th century. Its dome has been restored. A third church bearing the name of St. George is found in the area, which is an early Christian three aisle Syrian-type basilica. In the city of Sotira there is also a small Ecclesiastical Museum worth visiting.
Agia Thekla Beach
Agia Thekla is a small beach named after the old small church which is there. Situated a few kilometres from Agia Napa, it is covered with fine golden sand. Get married at Ayia Thekla Beach, Sotira in Cyprus and have a beach wedding with your feet in the sand. Imagine the sand between your toes, the wind blowing gently from the sea and sharing your big day with family and friends. The Ayia Thekla even has it’s own reception venue adjacent – the Nissaki Taverna.
Agios Georgios Church
The church of Ayios Georgios Chortakion is of cruciform with a dome. Built in the early 12th century and later in the same century added splint and as a cruciform church with a dome. Originally the church was decorated with frescoes, of which very few survive in poor condition. On the south wall of the narthex there are boats painted in charcoal on the wall. In the area there was a settlement and it seems that this church was a parish church of the old settlement of Chortakion, whose residents fled to the Savior after pirates.
Agios Mamas Chapel
The chapel of Saint Mamas (Ayios Mamas) dating to the early 16th century. This is a small single-domed church, Franco type. The church was in the west narthex and north and south portico, which have however been destroyed. On the south wall is built outside blind arched bow “by way arcosolia” covering the tomb of the founder. The church was decorated with wall paintings dated to the end of the 16th century. Unfortunately, most have been destroyed. On the northwest side are the coats of arms of the founder, the lower upright lion and a fish. The eyes of individual Saints have mined malicious. According to local tradition, two Turks fled to the church to protect themselves from the rain. One began taking the eyes of the Saints using a knife. When they came out of the temple, the two Turks became blind, by a branch of pomegranate which suddenly came to their eyes.
Agia Thekla Chapel
Located by the sea built the chapel of St. Thekla. In the area have been identified ruins of early Christian basilica with mosaics but damaged. Ayia Thekla served as a convent in 1937. Many of the icons are painted in occupied monastery of St. Barnavas. On Monday of the Holy Spirit celebrated Mass and procession at the end after the image and sanctify the waters, the priest throws a cross in the sea to retrieve the swimmers. Catacomb of Ayia Thecla (Roman) West of the chapel of Ayia Thekla is carved underground church. This is probably an ancient tomb converted into a church in the middle Byzantine period or during the Frankish as over the entrance bears an incised cross. Church of the Resurrection of Christ (21th century).
Catacomb of Ayia Thecla (Roman)
West of the chapel of Ayia Thekla is carved underground church. This is probably an ancient tomb converted into a church in the middle Byzantine period or during the Frankish as over the entrance bears an incised cross.
Agios Theodoros Church
The church of St. Theodore marshal is ruined. Belongs to the type of one-aisled church with a dome with a narthex subsequently added. The church was decorated with frescoes were destroyed when it crashed. Remarkable are two frescoes in the narthex of St. Elpidoforou from the group of Saints Akindinon and another undiagnosed St., dating to the early 12th century.
Poseidon Beach
Weddings at the Poseidon Beach venue in Sotira, Cyprus… close to the Ayia Thekla Beach venue and close to the Nissaki Beach Taverna, which is ideal for a following wedding reception. This beach wedding venue offers a ‘feet in the sand’ experience for those couples who desire it. It’s an extremely affordable option and ideal for wedding groups, families and friends looking for a laid back and relaxed wedding abroad.
Soter Chirst Metamorphosis
– New Church
The new church of the Transfiguration is built next to the old church, the Byzantine style and was built to solve the problem faced by residents for comfortable churchgoing. Work on the construction of the church began in 1935 and ended with the help of God despite financial difficulties in early 1939. The inauguration of the temple took place by Archbishop Makarios in 1955. In the church are two major religious feasts. The Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6 and Sunday Palm Sunday before Easter Sunday.
Panagia
Chordakiotissa Church
From the monastery of Panagia Chordakiotissa, today survives only universal and north of the temple ruins cells and a well. The church is single-aisled with a dome and was decorated with frescoes which unfortunately were destroyed. Few traces have survived as the Virgin in the type of solicitation. Dating back to the late 12th century. From the church come two old pictures of Christ and the Virgin Hodegetria of the 16th century and Maria Chordakiotissa, 1853 work of the school of John Cornaro of Crete. In times of drought the residents did procession with the image seen Rainmaker.
Ecclesiastical Museum
The chapel of St. George is a stone-built, single-aisle, vaulted church, built on the site of an earlier temple. According to information from father George Ioannou, when residents in 1899 gathered in the temple ruins then to commit Liturgy built a tent with sheets to shade or cover roughly the area. Strong rain caused them problems and decided to build a new temple. South of the church were found burials. In the space of the church operates today the ecclesiastical museum of the community, setting out important ecclesiastical treasures as sacred images, old forms Gospels, liturgical books, crosses, liturgical vessels and others.
Prime Microvrewery
Is a family owned and run microbrewery in Sotira Famagusta and they simply love beer!! They are “Home brewers with full control of their product” according to Loizos. It is one of the most modern and technologically advanced Microbreweries in Europe with the edge of technology equipment, full quality control of their product and 100% environmentally friendly. They produce 100% natural beer with absolutely no chemicals used during the whole process of brewing.
Potato Harvest
Men & Women pick up potatoes in a field during harvesting near Sotira village in Cyprus. Warm days and cool nights make for perfect harvesting weather. The daily temperature swings help produce a good crop. Farmers have been getting equipment and storage areas ready, and although the tractors and harvesters have changed over the years, the results remain the same: big, brown and meaty potatoes.