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There are over sixty churches in Cyprus with Byzantine and post-Byzantine wall paintings.[1][2] Of these, ten that are situated in the Troodos Mountains have been inscribed jointly on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the Painted Churches in the Troodos Region.[3][4]
The origins of Christianity on the island may be traced to the visit of St. Paul, St. Barnabas and St. Mark around AD 46.[2] After the fall of the western Roman Empire, Cyprus came under the sway of Byzantium, although the timely discovery of Barnabas' relics helped the Church of Cyprus uphold its autocephaly.[1] The crusader Kingdom of Cyprus outlived the Fall of Constantinople by a generation; the subsequent sale of the island to Venice led to a brief period of Italo-Byzantine painting.[1] In 1571 Cyprus fell to the Ottomans and the practice of ecclesiastic wall painting largely came to an end.[1]
Subject to the layout of each church, the iconographic schema typically accords with the classic Byzantine tripartition, evident also in Byzantine mosaic decoration, the three zones comprising: (1) the dome and conch of the apse; (2) the pendentives, squinches and upper vaults; and (3) the lower, secondary vaults and walls. The first is reserved for depictions of the holiest persons, the Christ Pantokrator and the Virgin; the second for scenes from the Life of Christ and the festival cycle; and the third for the choir of intercessory saints.[2][5]
Since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, a number of churches in the north have been looted and their wall paintings detached to supply the international antiquities trade.[6][7] Among them is the Church of St. Evphemianos in Lysi: the thirteenth-century Christ Pantocrator mural and surrounding angels were detached, leaving their feet behind; the paintings were then acquired for the Menil Collection and displayed at the Byzantine Fresco Chapel in Houston, Texas before their repatriation to the south in 2012.[7][8][9] Meanwhile, many churches in the south been the subject of conservation interventions, conducted by the Department of Antiquities, Dumbarton Oaks and the Courtauld Institute of Art, aimed at reconciling the competing demands of stability, legibility and authenticity within the framework of ongoing devotional practice.[10]
Church | Municipality | Exterior | Comments | Interior | Coordinates | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panagia Kanakaria Παναγία Κανακαριά Our Lady Kanakaria | Lythrangomi | ![]() | sixth-century wall mosaics were looted in the 1970s; some have been recovered from art dealers[7] | 35°28′42″N 34°09′58″E | [1] | |
Panagia Angeloktisti Παναγία η Αγγελόκτιστη Virgin Mary Built by the Angels | Kiti | ![]() | 34°50′51″N 33°34′14″E | |||
Panagia Kyra Παναγιά Κυρά Most Holy Lady | Livadia | 35°23′53″N 34°01′30″E | [1] | |||
Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Άγιος Νικόλαος της Στέγης St. Nicholas of the Roof | Kakopetria | included in UNESCO inscription[11] | ![]() | 34°58′38″N 32°53′22″E | ||
Panagia Theotokos Παναγία Θεοτόκος Most Holy Mother of God | Kakopetria | ![]() | 34°59′13″N 32°54′04″E | [1] | ||
Agios Georgios Perachoritis Άγιος Γεώργιος ο Περαχωρίτης St. George Perachoritis | Kakopetria | 34°59′13″N 32°54′04″E | [1] | |||
Agios Sozomenos Άγιος Σωζόμενος St. Sozomenos | Galata | ![]() | ![]() | 34°59′49″N 32°53′53″E | ||
Panagia Theotokos Παναγία Θεοτόκος / Αρχάγγελος Μιχαήλ Most Holy Mother of God or Archangel Michael | Galata | ![]() | 34°59′49″N 32°53′53″E | |||
Panagia Podithou Παναγία Ποδίθου Our Lady of Podithou | Galata | included in UNESCO inscription[11] | ![]() | 34°59′49″N 32°53′53″E | ||
Agia Paraskevi Αγία Παρασκευή St. Paraskevi | Galata | 34°59′49″N 32°53′53″E | ||||
Agioi Ioachim kai Anna Αγίοι Ιωακείμ και Άννα Saints Joachim and Anna | Kaliana | ![]() | 35°00′45″N 32°53′03″E | |||
Archangelos Michael Αρχάγγελος Μιχαήλ Archangel Michael | Vyzakia | 35°04′37″N 33°00′50″E | ||||
Panagia Phorbiotissa Παναγία Φορβιώτισσα / Παναγία της Ασίνου Virgin Mary Phorbiotissa or Our Lady of Asinou | Nikitari | ![]() | included in UNESCO inscription[11] | ![]() | 35°02′47″N 32°58′24″E | |
Panagia Chrysokourdaliotissa Παναγία Χρυσοκουρδαλιωτισσα Virgin Mary Chrysokourdaliotissa | Spilia | also known as the Church of the Dormition, Kourdali; submitted in 2002 as an extension to the UNESCO inscription and currently on the Tentative List; the timber roof is a reconstruction of the 1960s[12] | 34°58′27″N 32°57′02″E | |||
Timios Stavros Τίμιος Σταυρός Holy Cross | Agia Eirini | 34°58′52″N 32°58′08″E | [1] | |||
Panagia tou Arakos Παναγία του Άρακος Our Lady of Arakos | Lagoudera | included in UNESCO inscription[11] close examination during conservation and restoration work has indicated the use of the fresco technique for the 1192 paintings, with plaster joins revealing the giornate[13][14] | ![]() | 34°57′55″N 33°00′25″E | ||
Stavros tou Agiasmati Σταυρός του Αγιασμάτι Holy Cross of Agiasmati | Platanistasa | included in UNESCO inscription[11] | ![]() | 34°56′46″N 33°02′38″E | ||
Timios Stavros Τίμιος Σταυρός Holy Cross | Kyperounta | 34°56′21″N 32°58′34″E | [1] | |||
Timios Stavros Τίμιος Σταυρός Holy Cross | Pelendri | ![]() | included in UNESCO inscription[11] | ![]() | 34°53′46″N 32°58′01″E | |
Panagia Katholiki Παναγία Καθολική Virgin Mary the Catholic | Pelendri | 34°53′46″N 32°58′01″E | ||||
Timios Stavros Τίμιος Σταυρός Holy Cross | Kouka | ![]() | 34°51′00″N 32°53′10″E | |||
Agia Mavra Αγία Μαύρα St. Mavra | Koilani | 34°50′38″N 32°51′36″E | ||||
Agios Georgios Άγιος Γεώργιος St. George | Monagri | ![]() | 34°48′31″N 32°54′35″E | [1] | ||
Archangelos Michael Αρχάγγελος Μιχαήλ Archangelos Michael | Monagri | 34°50′38″N 32°51′36″E | ||||
Panagia Amasgou Παναγία της Αμασγούς Our Lady Amasgou | Monagri | ![]() | ![]() | 34°48′34″N 32°54′36″E | ||
Agios Mamas Άγιος Μάμας St. Mamas | Louvaras | 34°50′10″N 33°02′17″E | ||||
Tou Soteros Μεταμόρφωση του Σωτήρος Transfiguration of the Saviour | Palaichori Oreinis | ![]() | included in UNESCO inscription[11] | ![]() | 34°55′23″N 33°05′38″E | |
Panagia Chrysopantanassa Παναγία η Χρυσοπαντάνασσα Virgin Mary Chrysopantanassa | Palaichori Oreinis | ![]() | 34°55′20″N 33°05′34″E | |||
Timios Prodomos Τιμιος Προδρομος St. John the Precursor | Askas | 34°55′44″N 33°04′41″E | ||||
Agia Christina Αγία Χριστίνα St. Christina | Askas | 34°56′28″N 33°04′29″E | ||||
Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Λαμπαδιστής St. John Lampadistis | Kalopanagiotis | ![]() | included in UNESCO inscription[11] | ![]() | 34°59′32″N 32°49′49″E | |
Agioi Andronikos kai Athanasia Αγίoi Ανδρόνικοs και Αθανασία Saints Andronicus and Athanasia | Kalopanagiotis | 34°59′31″N 32°49′41″E | ||||
Panagia tou Moutoulla Παναγία του Μουτουλλά Our Lady of Moutoullas | Moutoullas | ![]() | included in UNESCO inscription[11] | 34°59′02″N 32°49′30″E | ||
Archangelos Michael Αρχάγγελος Μιχαήλ Archangel Michael | Pedoulas | included in UNESCO inscription[11] | ![]() | 34°58′01″N 32°49′44″E | ||
Timios Stavros Τιμιος Σταυρος Holy Cross | Palaiomylos | 34°56′06″N 32°49′23″E | [1] | |||
Panagia Kardiovastouza Παναγία η Kαρδιοβαστάζουσα Virgin Mary who Holds the Heart | Kaminaria | 34°55′41″N 32°47′02″E | ||||
Agios Vasilios Άγιος Βασίλειος St. Basil | Kaminaria | ![]() | 34°55′41″N 32°47′02″E | |||
Katakomba Agia Solomoni Κατακόμβη Αγίας Σολομωνής Catacomb of St. Solomoni | Paphos | 34°45′42″N 32°24′45″E | [1] | |||
Enkleistra kai Monasteri tou Agiou Neophytou Εγκλείστρα και Μοναστήρι του Αγίου Νεοφύτου Enkleistra and Monastery of Agios Neophytos | Tala | ![]() | see Neophytos of Cyprus[15] | ![]() | 34°50′47″N 32°26′47″E | |
Agia Paraskevi Αγία Παρασκευή St. Paraskevi | Yeroskipou | ![]() | ![]() | 34°45′34″N 32°27′11″E | ||
Panagia Katholiki Παναγία Καθολική Virgin Mary the Catholic | Kouklia | ![]() | ![]() | 34°42′26″N 32°34′30″E | ||
Palaia Enkleistra Παλαιά Εγκλείστρα Palaea Enkleistra | Kouklia | 34°41′53″N 32°35′35″E | [1] | |||
Agios Nikolaos Άγιος Νικόλαος St. Nicholas | Galataria | 34°52′37″N 32°37′55″E | [1] | |||
Agios Theodosios Άγιος Θεοδόσιος St. Theodosius | Akhelia | 34°44′17″N 32°29′10″E | [1] | |||
Panagia Chryseleousa Παναγία Χρυσελεούσα Virgin Mary Chryseleousa | Emba | ![]() | ![]() | 34°48′00″N 32°25′01″E | [1] | |
Agios Kirykos Άγιος Κήρυκος St. Kirykos | Letymvou | 34°51′18″N 32°30′47″E | [1] | |||
Archangelos Michael Αρχάγγελος Μιχαήλ Archangel Michael | Kholi | ![]() | 34°58′44″N 32°26′42″E | [1] | ||
Agioi Apostoloi Άγιοι Απόστολοι Holy Apostles | Pera Chorio | 35°00′47″N 33°23′35″E | [1] | |||
Agios Demetrianos Άγιος Δημητριανός St. Demetrianus | Dali | 35°00′47″N 33°23′35″E | ||||
Agia Aikaterini Αγία Αικατερίνη St. Catherine | Pyrga | ![]() | ![]() | 34°55′35″N 33°25′49″E | ||
Agia Marina Αγία Μαρίνα St. Marina | Pyrga | ![]() | 34°55′29″N 33°25′55″E | |||
Agios Antonios Άγιος Αντώνιος St. Anthony | Kellia | 34°58′30″N 33°37′19″E | ||||
Agios Georgios Άγιος Γεώργιος St. George | Xylofagou | ![]() | 34°58′37″N 33°51′00″E | [1] | ||
Agios Georgios tis Arperas Άγιος Γεώργιος της Άρπερας St. George of Arpera | Tersefanou | ![]() | 34°51′14″N 33°32′46″E | [1] | ||
Archangelos Michael Αρχάγγελος Μιχαήλ Archangel Michael | Kato Lefkara | 34°51′43″N 33°18′54″E | ||||
Agia Mavra Αγία Μαύρα St. Mavra | Kyrenia | 35°20′20″N 33°19′16″E | [1] | |||
Khrysokava Χρυσοκάβα Khrysokava | Kyrenia | 35°20′20″N 33°19′16″E | ||||
Agios Ioannis Chrysostomos Άγιος Ιωάννης Χρυσόστομος St. John Chrysostom | Koutsovendis | the wall paintings in the chapel of the Holy Trinity, dating to c. 1100, were documented and conserved by a team from Dumbarton Oaks under Cyril Mango in the 1960s; they have been whitewashed and covered in large sheets of paper since 1974[16] | 35°16′27″N 33°25′06″E | |||
Panagia Aphendrika Παναγία Αφέντρικα Our Lady of Aphendrika | Rizokarpaso | ![]() | 35°16′26″N 33°25′05″E | [1] | ||
Antiphonitis Χριστός Αντιφωνητής Christ Antiphonitis | Kalograia | some of the paintings, including most of the Tree of Jesse, were detached in the 1970s and have been found in the hands of private collectors[7] | ![]() | 35°19′38″N 33°37′08″E | [1] | |
Panagia Theotokos Παναγία Θεοτόκος Most Holy Mother of God | Trikomo | ![]() | 35°17′02″N 33°53′24″E | [1] | ||
Agios Evphemianos Άγιος Ευφημιανός St. Euphemianos | Lysi | the detached thirteenth-century Pantrokrator was acquired for the Menil Collection and displayed at the Byzantine Fresco Chapel in Houston, Texas before its repatriation in 2012[7][8][9] | 35°05′09″N 33°39′53″E | [1] | ||
Agios Ioannis Evangelistis Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Ευαγγελιστής Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist | Nicosia | ![]() | ![]() | 35°10′24″N 33°22′04″E | [1] | |
Agios Sozomenos Άγιος Σωζόμενος St. Sozomenos | Potamia | 35°02′31″N 33°26′42″E | [1] | |||
Agios Andronikos Αγίos Ανδρόνικοs St. Andronicus | Polis Chrysochous | ![]() | ![]() | 35°02′20″N 32°25′26″E | ||
Agioi Barnabas kai Ilarion Αγίοι Βαρνάβας και Ιλαρίων Saints Barnabas and Hilarion | Peristerona | ![]() | ![]() | 35°07′48″N 33°04′55″E | ||
Panagia Pergaminiotissa Παναγία Περγαμηνιώτισσα Our Lady Pergaminiotissa | Akanthou | 35°23′02″N 33°45′50″E | ||||
Agios Photios Άγιος Φώτιος St. Photius | Yialousa | 35°32′06″N 34°11′17″E | ||||
Agia Solomoni Αγία Σολομωνή St. Solomoni | Koma tou Yialou | 35°25′23″N 34°07′30″E | ||||
Agios Nikolaos Άγιος Νικόλαος St. Nicholas | Koma tou Yialou | 35°25′23″N 34°07′30″E | ||||
Agia Mavri Αγία Μαύρή St. Mavra | Rizokarpaso | 35°37′05″N 34°24′29″E | ||||
Agios Philon Άγιος Φίλων St. Philon | Rizokarpaso | ![]() | 35°37′44″N 34°26′28″E | |||
Agios Prokopios Άγιος Προκόπιος St. Procopius | Sygkrasi | 35°17′06″N 33°51′25″E | ||||
Panagia Avgasida Παναγία Αυγασίδα St. Augasida | Aloa | 35°12′43″N 33°49′44″E | ||||
Panagia Apsinthiotissa Παναγία Αψινθιώτισσα Our Lady Apsinthiotissa | Sichari | some of the Byzantine wall paintings have been detached since 1974 and have since appeared on the antiquities market[7] | ![]() | 35°17′00″N 33°23′22″E | ||
Agios Georgios ton Hellenon Άγιος Γεώργιος των Ελλήνων St. George of the Greeks | Famagusta | ![]() | 35°07′26″N 33°56′37″E | [2] | ||
Panagia Chrysogialiotissa Παναγία Χρυσογιαλιώτισσα The Golden Virgin of Gialia | Gialia | ![]() | ![]() | 35°05′22″N 32°33′18″E | ||
Agios Georgios Exorinos Άγιος Γεώργιος ο Εξορινός St. George the Exiler | Famagusta | 35°07′32″N 33°56′16″E | ||||
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