Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
- cyprusmax47
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- Location: Paphos area since 1982
Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
Panayia Theotokos church is one of the hidden treasures we have near Paphos town at Letymbou village. Even when there are only ruins left after earthquakes in the past, it is worth a visit to see one of the oldest wall paintings in Cyprus. The church was the first of the many churches built in Letymbou though.
It is situated in the North edge of the village near the abandoned gypsum pit and recently a small tower was built to hold the bell.
This is the entrance which looks a bit scary with all the supporting beams...
after passing the " entrance " one can see the remaining apse with beautiful frescoes..
here depicted the Communion of the Apostles
and the Entombment also from the 15th century
The Ascension of Christ
detail
another close up
These wall paintings are among the most important of the 15th century which have survived in Cyprus. What is also interesting is the fact that most of the church was built with local gypsum stones, hence it could not survive earthquakes and heavy winter conditions
So finally the view from inside the apsis towards the modern little church which is not worth a visit
Max
It is situated in the North edge of the village near the abandoned gypsum pit and recently a small tower was built to hold the bell.
This is the entrance which looks a bit scary with all the supporting beams...
after passing the " entrance " one can see the remaining apse with beautiful frescoes..
here depicted the Communion of the Apostles
and the Entombment also from the 15th century
The Ascension of Christ
detail
another close up
These wall paintings are among the most important of the 15th century which have survived in Cyprus. What is also interesting is the fact that most of the church was built with local gypsum stones, hence it could not survive earthquakes and heavy winter conditions
So finally the view from inside the apsis towards the modern little church which is not worth a visit
Max
Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
I hope to go there soon, it looks fascinating, thanks for sharing your pictures.
Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
Would like to see that. Thanks for posting.
Is it by the Biserica Panagias church that appears on Google Maps?
Is it by the Biserica Panagias church that appears on Google Maps?
Boldly going......
- cyprusmax47
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Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
Here a map where I marked the road to drive. From the main road turn to the left by the village water feature at this little square. P= parking. From there it is 50 m up the hill....
Max
Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
What a brilliant and fascinating find!....and great photos. I'm going to visit soon. There's so much out there waiting to be discovered!....Thanks for sharing Max.
- cyprusmax47
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- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:10 am
- Location: Paphos area since 1982
Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
When you are already in Letymbou you have perhaps more time to visit also the lovely church of Saints Kerykos and Iouitta, just 800 m away.
To visit there you need to get the key from the priests daughter which lives next door to the large church Agios Theodoros.
http://www.letymbou.org/en/agioi-kyrikos-ioulitti-len
http://www.letymbou.org/en/churches-len ... odoros-len
If you missed my guest blog from last year: https://www.paphoslife.com/blog/letymbou_church_murals
On the attached map one can spot the church on the right hand side at the bottom of the image.
Max
Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
What a brilliant and fascinating find!....and great photos. I'm going to visit soon. There's so much out there waiting to be discovered!....Thanks for sharing Max.
Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
Thanks for sharing Max. I will add it to my list for end af April.
- cyprusmax47
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Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
cyprusmax47 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2019 6:42 pmWhen you are already in Letymbou you have perhaps more time to visit also the lovely church of Saints Kerykos and Ioulitta, just 800 m away.
To visit there you need to get the key from the priests daughter which lives next door to the large church Agios Theodoros.
http://www.letymbou.org/en/agioi-kyrikos-ioulitti-len
http://www.letymbou.org/en/churches-len ... odoros-len
If you missed my guest blog from last year: https://www.paphoslife.com/blog/letymbou_church_murals
On the attached map one can spot the church on the right hand side at the bottom of the image.
Max
- cyprusmax47
- Chief Cat Spotter
- Posts: 4968
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:10 am
- Location: Paphos area since 1982
Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
I am glad that there are quite a lot of members interested also in our Paphos history (>400 views in one day) which gives me confidence to continue with this kind of posts in the future...
Max
Max
Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
Yes please Max.... please continue your wonderful explorations of this beautiful island...look forward to reading your next adventure!
- cyprusmax47
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- Posts: 4968
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:10 am
- Location: Paphos area since 1982
Re: Panayia Theotokos Letymbou - a hidden treasure
I certainly will - if it is not another guest blog as it is a lot of work for Dominic, my plans are in future to rather post like the story above...
Max