Panagia tis Asinou Church
Cyprus
At the Nikitari village, about 20km north of Kakopetria there is a church granted as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO. Panayia tis Asinou church preserves brilliant examples of various trends of Byzantine and post-Byzantine monumental art and it is dedicated to the Virgin of 'Phorbia'. The name comes from an 11th century BC Greek city called Asine.
The fame of this church is such that is quite surprise to find it so tiny, hidden on a north - facing hillside of eucalyptus and pine trees. The wall paintings in such a small church are exquisite, some of the best exaples of Byzantine art in Cyprus and they cover all the walls of the church. The earliest frescos dating back to the 12th century and over the years more frescos were added by refugee painters from Asia Minor.
Entrance: Free
Opening Hours:
Weekdays and Saturdays 9:30-16:00 (until 17:00 in Winter)
Sundays and public holidays 10:00-16:00
