Panagia tou Araka, Byzantine church in Lagoudera, Cyprus.
Panagia tou Araka is a Byzantine church standing on the slopes of Madari peak in the Troodos Mountains with a single aisle, a dome, and a cross-shaped roof. The building sits in a mountainous setting and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The interior frescoes were completed by Theodore Apsevdis in December 1192 and represent one of the most complete Middle Byzantine painting collections in Cyprus. This artistic achievement shows the site's importance for religious art at that time.
Religious scenes cover the walls, showing the Virgin of the Passion and portraits of seven Cypriot Saints in the semi-circular apse as visitors can see them today. These images define how the interior looks and speak to travelers about Christian tradition through paintings.
Visitors need to contact the local priest beforehand to arrange access, as the church is not always open to walk in. Arranging this detail in advance ensures a smooth visit.
The northern wall holds a series of 17th-century frescoed figures alongside a wooden icon screen from 1673 that visitors often miss. These later additions show how the place was honored and cared for through the centuries.
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