Overview:

Located in a picturesque location overlooking the sea and surrounded by lush mountains, the Church of Panagia tou Araka in Lagoudhera, Cyprus sits atop a narrow and windy road overlooking the Avdimou Bay. The church, built in the 18th-century, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and its frescoes inside are a real breath-taker. It is a very important pilgrimage site for the local residents. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cyprus
Prominent Features:

The Church of Panagia tou Araka in Lagoudhera, Cyprus is a prominent feature of the local landscape. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and features stunning Byzantine-style architecture, complete with two towers, a dome and a bell tower. Inside, the church is adorned with brightly colored frescoes, marble floors and columns. Visitors can admire the traditional artifacts and artworks adorning the walls and ceiling. The church also has a museum, which houses special artifacts from the past, including icons and religious artifacts. There is also a shop on the lower level, where visitors can purchase souvenirs and traditional items from the area. The church has regular services and hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, offering visitors a chance to experience traditional Cypriot culture and faith. This national monument of Cyprus portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Church of Panagia tou Araka is located in Lagoudhera, a village in the Limassol district of Cyprus. The church is said to have been built in the 4th century AD as a result of a miracle attributed to the Virgin Mary. According to local legend, a queen had a dream in which the Virgin Mary told her to ask the king to build a church on the spot where the queen was resting. The queen asked the king to build a church there, and he agreed. Thus, the Church of Panagia tou Araka was born. The building is a domed basilica in the shape of a cross. It has a gothic-Byzantine style bell tower, and features a variety of frescoes depicting religious iconography. The earliest written record of the church is from 1171, when it gets a mention in the book of Aliki of Ioannina, which was written by a monk from the monastery of St. John the Baptist. Throughout the years, the Church of Panagia tou Araka has been through many renovations and restorations. In 1730, it was renovated by the Archbishop of Kition, Iacovos Pitsisbay. In 1788, it was again renovated and the bell tower, which had been destroyed in 1571, was rebuilt. In 1877, the church was revamped once again by the Archdiocese of Limassol. The renovations included adding a marble floor and decorating the interior walls with frescoes depicting the Virgin Mary and the Archangels. The frescoes were painted by renowned Cypriot painter Constantinos Staurides in 1959. The Church of Panagia tou Araka is a popular tourist attraction in Lagoudhera, and is thought to be a miraculous place of healing. It is also visited by Orthodox Christians who come to commemorate the Virgin Mary and ask for her intercession. You must visit one of these historical places in Cyprus on your Cyprus tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Church of Panagia tou Araka, located in Lagoudhera, is one of the oldest churches in Cyprus and is believed to have been built at least 500 years ago. 2. The Church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, whose icon is believed to have been taken during the Ottoman period from the chapel of St. George in the royal palace in Nicosia. 3. The church is renowned for its spectacular wall paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, some of which are believed to have been done using old china. 4. The church’s architecture is unique as it is built in the form of a cross, and it was renovated in the year 1978. 5. The church contains an impressive wooden holy iconostasis (altar screen) which dates back to the late 18th century. 6. The village of Lagoudhera is believed to have been named after a Crusader’s family which had settled in the area during the Middle Ages. 7. The ancient oak tree next to the Church of Panagia tou Araka was declared a national monument by the Cyprus Department of Forests. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cyprus with your friends and family.