Overview:

: The Panagia Asinou Church is a Byzantine church located in Nikitari village of the Marathasa Valley in Cyprus. It is dedicated to Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and dates back to the 11th century when it was built. It is renowned for its frescoes that covers the main area of the church, depicting scenes from the Gospels. The style of the frescoes is remarkable, depicting human figures in a naturalistic style, which is uncommon in the 11th century. Inside the church, visitors will also find several ancient mosaics, which feature vegetal motifs. This church is worth a visit to admire the magnificent murals and to feel the atmosphere of the Byzantine era. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cyprus
History:

The Panagia Asinou Church in Nikitari, Cyprus, is a 12th century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is one of the most important Byzantine monuments on the island. The church is situated in a wooded area near the mountain village of Nikitari, in the Troodos mountain range of Southern Cyprus. The church faces east, with a marble iconostasis (altar screen) and is noted for its frescoes. The Panagia Asinou Church was built between 1090-1100AD, during the reign of Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos. It was part of a larger, complex monastery, that included a priests’ residence, dining hall and other buildings. The complex was destroyed in the 16th century, and the church was the only structure that survived. The church is small and consists of a single nave and a bell tower of a later date. There is an interesting combination of elements found in Byzantine churches, such as the pointed arches used in the windows and stone columns. A variety of frescoes line the walls of the interior, depicting images of religious figures, animals, and scenes from the bible. The Panagia Asinou Church is a significant monument in the history of Byzantine art. It is believed to be one of the earliest and finest examples of Byzantine frescoes in the world. The church was renovated in the 18th century and a new bell tower was added. The original bell tower is thought to have originally been taller, hovering above the roof of the church. The church has been in continuous use since its construction and is still used by the local community to this day. It is an active place of worship and a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The frescoes are still in relatively good condition, the unusual combination of frescoes and other elements makes Panagia Asinou Church a unique monument in the history of Byzantine art. You must visit one of these historical places in Cyprus on your Cyprus tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Panagia Asinou Church was built in 1096 AD as a Byzantine Orthodox Church. 2. The Church is situated on foothills of the Troödos Mountains and is built using the traditional Cypriot masonry style and stones from the nearby terrain. 3. It is the second most important and largest Byzantine monument on the island, after the monastery of St. John Lampadistis in the capital, Nicosia. 4.The walls of the church are filled with amazing Byzantine frescoes, dating back to the 12th century. 5. It was declared a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO in 1985. 6. The church is dedicated to the three different manifestations of the Virgin Mary: the ‘Annunciation’, the ‘Dormitio’, and the ‘Presentation’. 7. The court of the Panagia Asinou church is 280 sq. m and is composed of the central nave and two lateral aisles to the east and west. 8. During the Ottoman period, the Panagia Asinou Church was used as a mosque and the mufti provided an Islamic name for the Church. 9. The church underwent several changes and renovations during the 18th and 19th centuries. 10. It was restored to its original form in 1953 and since then the Panagia Asinou Church is used for prayer by the Greek Cypriots and as a tourist attraction for visitors. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cyprus with your friends and family.