Overview:

Panagia Kanakaria Church, Lythrangomi is an Eastern Orthodox Church in Cyprus. It is located in the small village of Lythrangomi, close to the city of Famagusta in the Nicosia district. The church, which was built in the 15th century, has a very characteristic architecture. It is built in the Early Byzantine Revival style, featuring a central dome surrounded by cupolas, an open rectangular nave, and a portico. The church is adorned with a number of impressive Byzantine frescoes, including depictions of the Panagia and various saints. The frescoes are believed to have been painted by the renowned local artist, Michael Astrapas. The church is under the care of the Church of Cyprus. It is listed on the World Monument Fund's Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites and is an important cultural and historical landmark. The church is not much visited by tourists, but it does offer a fascinating glimpse into the Byzantine religious and artistic traditions of Cyprus. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cyprus
Prominent Features:

The Panagia Kanakaria Church is a magnificent Byzantine Church located in the village of Lythrangomi in the Famagusta District of Cyprus. It is renowned for its extraordinary 11th century frescoes, which depict some of the most beautiful images to be found in the world. It is believed to have been constructed in the 5th century AD, though stained glass windows from the 15th and 16th centuries can still be seen on the site. The frescoes are decorated with scenes from the Old and New Testament, which are said to be of exceptional quality and artistic beauty. The Church has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. This national monument of Cyprus portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Panagia Kanakaria Church, also known as the Church of Saint Mary of Kanakaria, is a Byzantine-era Orthodox Christian church in the village of Lythrangomi, in present-day Cyprus. The church was built in the fifth or sixth century AD, possibly on the site of an older church. According to tradition, it was originally dedicated to Saint Phanourios. The church has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. The church is renowned today for its 12th-century frescoes, some of the best examples of Byzantine art in the world. These frescoes depict numerous Biblical scenes, including the Transfiguration of Jesus and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. The church also features an interesting decoration in the interior: a large, intricately carved silver iconostasis with images of the Archangel Michael and angels. The church was heavily damaged during the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in 1570 and eventually abandoned. It wasn’t until the beginning of the 20th century that the church was re-discovered and began to receive the attention of visitors. In the 1950s and 1960s, part of the church was restored and two additional chapels were added. Today, the Panagia Kanakaria Church is a popular tourist destination in Lythrangomi and a must-see for anyone interested in Byzantine art and architecture. It is also an important symbol of the rich religious and cultural history of Cyprus. You must visit one of these historical places in Cyprus on your Cyprus tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Panagia Kanakaria Church was dedicated to ‘Our Lady the Kanakaria’, the fifth century Marian icon. Its structure reflects the traditional architectural style of the Byzantine era of the 13-14th centuries. 2. The church is listed in the World Monuments Fund’s list of 100 Most Endangered Sites in 2008. 3. The gorgeous mosaics in the interior of the church were admired as masterpieces of the 11th century Byzantine art. 4. The mosaic decorations, featuring the Mary and Jesus, the Holy Trinity and the Crucifixion, were illegally removed and stolen from Cyprus in the late 1980s. 5. The artifacts were eventually recovered and returned to the church in the 1990s. 6. The church was restored with the help of the Cypriot government and the Byzantine Institute of America and reopened in 2009 for visits from the public. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cyprus with your friends and family.