Located in the middle of a beautiful mountainous landscape. The church is rich with amazing art work of gorgeous paintings.
The church of Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis is only 2kms southwest of the village of Kakopetria. The year 1985 it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with 9 more painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos range. It is the only surviving katholicon (monastery church) of an 11th century Byzantine monastery in Cyprus and a magnificent example of Byzantine work. The marvelous frescoes were all done by the foremost artists of the day.They vividly depict scenes from the life of Christ, Lazarus and other people of the Christian era, including the parents of the Virgin, and of the saints.Though one cannot tell from the outside, the ceiling is in fact domed, because the church has a double roof. The second roof serves a double purpose. Firstly it protects the building from the rain and snow in the winter and in the summer it keeps the church cool. The rather unprepossessing exterior does not prepare one for the beautiful interior. The inside is covered in beautiful frescoes and icons. The painting is from 7 different periods, all between the 11th and 15th centuries. So distinctive are the various periods that the church could be considered a museum of the progress of Byzantine art in Cyprus.On one of the icons there is painted a small piece of paper. On this paper there is the story of a Russian friar, called Vassily Grigorovitch Basky. He was touring Cyprus and while here visited the monastery of St. Nicolaos. He described the way he came and the things he saw on his journey. Vassily spent 4 days here making detailed sketches of the whole area.Nowadays this is not a monastery, only the church remains. The museum has taken this over and it is open to the thousands of visitors who come to see it every year.There are no records as to when the monastery ceased to exist as such –probably in the middle of the 19th century. There were Turkish bandits who travelled in groups, raiding and destroying places where valuables were to be found. TIP: Taking photos in the interior of the Church is strictly prohibited. I managed though to get a permit, so I had the opportunity to take a few precious photos for myself.
A church that was built back on the 11th century.What else i need to say. Amazing!Few miles after Kakopetria in the middle of the mountains an excellent sample of religious History.Must visit if you are in the area.
This small church is set in the Troodos Mountain area. There is a small parking area and a walkway down to the church. The entrance is around the back side of the building.
A must see! Even if you're church-out, it's worth going off the beaten track for. It's totally unique and very, very old.
Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, is a very old church, belonging now to UNESCO heritage, that if you are nearby Kakopetria should be visited. We went there using a car, so can not actually say, if it is easily approachable on foot. Worth seeing!
Saw the road signAgios Nicholaos so started to walk from Kakopetria.Top of village lovely view but then met the main road....forget walking especially in Cyprus where only donkeys would attempt this
This is a medieval church, with very unique architecture and style. A great place to worship god and also an important historical site. A must see place for those visiting holy sites in Cyprus!
The Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Church is located 5 kilometers west of Kakopetria, being part of the 10 Painted Churches in Troodos which are part of The UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The architecture of this small church is very nice, the walls looks very old and the frescoes inside are spectacular (the photos are not allowed, so keep them in your mind or buy a souvenir from the small shop inside the church). The entrance is free.
The Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (Church of the Roof) is located 55 kilometres from Nicosia 2000 feet up the Troodos mountains, and is a World Heritage Site. It gets its name from the double roof. It was once the monestery church and dates from the 11th century. The walls are covered in ancient frescoes which are in remarkable condition. Photos inside are not allowed, but the 'keeper' was dozing outside and did not seem to mind. Located in the same area as the Makarios Tomb, it is worth the drive up from the coast..