Kalopanayiotis village is located in the Nicosia District very close to Moutoullas, just 3 km to the north. It is located in the Marathasa Valley on the Troodos range approximately 70 kms from Nicosia and Limassol. The Kalopanayiotis village has a very beautiful traditional style with paved streets and walkways, chapels and churches and is an example of a genuine traditional community unaffected by the modern civilization.
The village is surrounded by the beautiful green vegetation creating magnificent landscapes. The main characteristics of the Kalopanayiotis village include picturesque balconies, courtyards with shady vine trees as well as Houses with tiled rooftops. Chapels and churches can be found on the village and some of the most famous are Agios Andronikos, Agios Archangelos Michael and Panayia Theoskepasti. The most important attraction and historical Byzantine monument is that of the monastery of Saint John Lampadisitis John Lampadisitis (Agios Ioannis lampadistis monastery)
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Saint John Lampadistis MonasteryThe Saint John Lampadistis Monastery is located opposite the old village centre on the east side of the Setrachos river. During 1985, Unesco listed the monastery along with eight other chapels that are located on the Troodos range in the world heritage list. The Saint John Lampadistis Monastery is considered as one of the most interesting byzantine sites of Cyprus. |
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The Byzantine MuseumThe Byzantine Museum can be found next to the Saint John Lampadistis monastery. In the museum, exhibited ecclesiastical artifax which survived though the centuries can be found. The exbitis are all in very good condition and they are well maintained and preserved. The building of the Byzantine museum was also the first primary school of the village and it was changed into a museum in October 2000. |
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Healing Waters ( Iamatika nera)The healing waters can be found next to the Venetian bridge at the banks of the river Setrachos. Since the ancient times the healing powers of the waters were known to the people. An ancient Kingdom of Soli owned the area and the kings were using the healing waters as their wellness resort. According to legend, a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the ancient god of healing was situated on the same spot where the Lampadistis Monastery stands today. Until today the spa waters are still being used. |
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The Venetian BridgeThe Venetian bridge was build using traditional stone masonry and consists of a single span arch. The bridge dates back to the 16th century, during the Venetian times. Until lately, it was used as the only passage between the village and the monastery. According to tradition, near the bridge St. Paul and St. Barnabas baptized St. Heracledios who is the first Bishop of Cyprus. |
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The WatermillIn the village of Kalopanayiotis there were five watermills which operated along the valley of the village. All of them are still visible and one of them, the Kykko watermill has been declared a heritage monument by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities. An imposing site characteristic of the pre industrial period architecture. |
