Stavrovouni Monastery, Greek Orthodox monastery at Mount Stavrovouni, Cyprus
Stavrovouni Monastery is a stone religious complex set on a mountain peak in the Larnaka region. The cluster of buildings, chapels, and courtyards rises several hundred meters above the surrounding land and overlooks the area toward the sea.
The monastery was founded in 327 AD when Saint Helena brought a fragment of the Holy Cross from Jerusalem to this location. This relic made the site an important pilgrimage destination for believers across many centuries.
The monks here follow Byzantine traditions and create religious icons and manuscripts by hand. You can see their work in the chapel spaces and feel the rhythm of their daily spiritual life.
Visiting is only possible during certain daylight hours that change with the season. Comfortable shoes are important since the climb to the summit is steep and the complex sits on uneven ground.
The monastery maintains a restriction that prohibits women from entering, a distinction that sets it apart from other religious sites on the island. This tradition reflects strict monastic practices that continue to be observed today.
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