The Enclosure of Agios Neophytos

[Dominic]

The other day we set off to find the Enclosure of Agios Neophytos. We had seen a video of it and it looked interesting. A remote monastery in a cliff? That ticks all the right boxes. However, there wasn't much to see when we found the enclosure. We had neglected to pick the key up, and our view through the gate didn't reveal much. Fortunately, the journey to and from the place was so much fun that yet again I find myself having to cherry pick the best pictures rather than pad an article out. So enjoy our journey, and with the map at the end to guide you, why not plan your own route...?

Read the article and chat about it below...
 

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[LouiseCastricum]

Lovely blog with great pictures. Thanks.

[cyprusmax47]

There is a link from the Department of Antiquities, mentioning the importance of Saint Neophytos considered to be one of the most significant figures of the Church of Cyprus.

"The older is the most interesting as it is adorned with frescoes. According to the inscription in the Saint’s cell, the frescoes in the Palaia Engleistra and in the bema of the chapel of Timios Stavros, were completed by the painter Theodoros Apsevdis in 1183. The Saint is depicted twice in the frescoes. Sometime during the beginning of the 13th century the chapel’s frescoes were replaced. Only a few pieces have survived from the wall-paintings of the painter. His style can be found in many monuments in the Balkan region and it originated in Constantinople. The 13th century frescoes, which replaced those of Apsevdis, reveal a very different style, characterised by the almost exaggerated schematic rendering of the forms."

The full text one can read at this link:
http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/da/da.nsf/All ... 99003296EF

Max

[brengreen]

Thanks for sharing. Lovely pictures. Cyprus at it's prettiest. Will try this trip in April. Hope it still looks as good.

[PaphosAL]

Superb, Dominic, thanks! That wind farm is pretty awesome,too... From my 3rd floor balcony in the Veronica Hotel, I could count 22 wind vanes, rotating in the breeze every day.

Whoever said that this was a white elephant RSE infrastucure development? At night, they all had red lights on top, flashing 1 sec on and 2 sec off. But they weren't synchonized, giving the impression of a daisy chain of Christmas Tree fairy lights, LOL!

Further reading suggests there are 41 masts up there. Maybe Max or Devil can confirm?

AL

[Ams]

Thanks Dominic, I do like the area, I've had a wonder around twice in the spring and really enjoyed it. Beautiful and peaceful. As you said, there were a few different orchids, but I loved the carpet of poppy anemones - my favourite wildflowers I'm always happy when there are anemones.

[Princebytor]

Thanks Dominic, really enjoyed the blog.
For you guys coming from further afield it is maybe worth extending the trip to take in the 'Cave of the Fathers in Archimandita followed by a trip down the valley to Kato Archimandrita, which is virtually deserted apart from a church and a couple of semi occupied houses. In spring the valley just looks amazing !

[Dominic]

I once came across a very smelly dead goat while geocaching there! You are right, it is lovely, and will get a blog at some point.

[Princebytor]

Sounds good.............apart from the goat that is !!!!!!!

[Dominic]

Oh it really, really stank. It was right by where the cache should have been too.