Kykkos monastery

The Holy, Royal and Stavropegic Monastery of Kykkos (Greek:Ιερά Μονή Κύκκου), which lies 20 km west of Pedoulas, is one of the richest and best-known monasteries in Cyprus. The monastery is acknowledged under the name of Kykkos or the 'Mother of God of Kykkos”, but it is still unknown where this name derives from.

According to one belief, the name 'kykkos' or 'kokkos', is related to the kermes oak (Latin 'quercus coccifera') which developed in this area a few eras ago. A different account attributed the expression 'kykkos' to a bird whose call 'kik-ko, kik-ko' became the name of the monastery. The Holy Monastery of the Virgin of Kykkos was established around the end of the 11th century by the Byzantine monarch Alexios I Komnenos (1081 - 1118).

Kykkos monastery lies at a height of 1318 meters on the North West face of Troodos Mountains. There are no remainders of the original monastery as it was burned down numerous times. The first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III began his ecclesiastical profession there as a monk in 1926. He remained affectionate of the place and returned there countless times. His wish to be buried there occurred after his death in 1977. His tomb lies 3 km west of Kykkos monastery and remains a popular tourist destination.