Stavrovouni Monastery, Greek Orthodox monastery at Mount Stavrovouni, Cyprus

Stavrovouni Monastery stands on the peak of the mountain of the same name in the Larnaka District. Its facade is built of rough multicoloured rock in grey, brown, tan and rust, with four grilled windows above a dark metal railing and three arched openings below; a curved inscription above the central arch reads "Του Ιντιου" and "Και Ζωσιμου Γεροντοσ" around a small cross. A wide stone-paved terrace lies in front, and the complex is laid out as a quadrilateral with one side facing 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 name Stavrovouni comes from stavros (cross) and vouno (mountain). The monastery produces incense from tree resin, a craft noted as early as the 12th century by Abbot Daniel, and it runs icon-painting workshops. Since 1982 Archimandrite Athanasios has led the community. A memorial lamp was lit in 2006 for 900 years of ties with Kievan Rus.

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.

Men may enter the monastery only in suitable dress; women are not admitted inside the walls but may visit the Church of All Cypriot Saints, which stands on the square before the entrance gate. The monastery has been headed by Archimandrite Athanasios since 1982.