Ayios Ionannis, Byzantine monastery in Kalopanagiotis, Cyprus.
Ayios Ioannis is a Byzantine monastery with three connected churches whose interior stone walls are covered with frescoes depicting religious scenes and holy figures. The spaces flow into one another through doorways and narrow passages, creating an intricate layout centered around an inner courtyard.
The founding date of the monastery is unknown; it most likely dates to the end of Venetian rule in Cyprus. The oldest part is the church of Saint Heraclides, built in the 11th century. The monastery is no longer active but is open to the public and displays a collection of icons.
The monastery is no longer active, so there are no daily pilgrim rituals; it is open to the public and displays a collection of icons. The complex is named after Saint John Lampadistis, a local saint, and its three churches sit under one slate roof. Look for the Latin Chapel, painted around 1500 with the blessings of the Beatitudes and the Magi leaving the East.
Visitors should wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and should ask permission before photographing inside. It helps to wear sturdy shoes since the floors are uneven and the mix of bright and dim areas makes walking less straightforward.
Between the two chapels stands a gilded silver reliquary donated by Archbishop Nikephoros, holding the head of John Lampadistis. The monastery is no longer active, yet it is open to the public and also displays a collection of icons.
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