One of the more famous attractions in Cyprus is a bunch of Byzantine era churches scattered throughout the mountains that look humble from the outside but contain magnificent and colorful frescoes inside. I have been trying to go see them quite literally since I got here and I have been foiled at every turn.
My first attempted visit to one of the churches was in September 2015. It turns out that particular church was closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
On President’s Day this year, Severin wanted to go to the mountains to see the snow (more on that later), so I suggested we try to stop at one of the churches on the way, since it would surely be open on a Monday. This is the church of Panagia Podithou, which was built in 1502.
We walk around to the front door and WOMP WOMP. It’s closed.
Severin chilling out while I figure out what I can photograph from the outside:
I thought this would joint was pretty snazzy so I took a picture of it:
And the tile roof which was steep like a ski chalet:
There was a little outbuilding or possibly another church right nearby (it wasn’t marked so we’re not really sure what was up with it) which had a door that was barely over 5′ tall and this nice painting above it:
That was in February. This past weekend on our way to the Rose Festival I looked on the map and found which church was on the way– there was one! I was very excited until we drove up and I realized it was the first church we had visited back in September. I couldn’t remember what the hours were on that one but I held out hope until we walked around front and found out, sure enough, that it was closed on Saturday and Sunday. D’OH!
I will not rest until I’ve been inside!!!!