Cyprus has inscribed on the World Heritage List ten churches which bear outstanding testimony to Byzantine civilization, are well-conserved examples of rural religious architecture and provide evidence for the links between eastern and western Christian art.
The ten churches, which date from the middle to the late byzantine periods (variously from the early 11th to the early 16th centuries), contain byzantine metropolitan art of the highest quality. They also display elements that are specific to Cyprus and that were determined by its geography, history and climate. The architecture of these small churches is unique, confined to the Troodos range and almost certainly of indigenous origin. Steep wooden roofs with locally manufactured flat tiles protect the churches from the rain and occasional snow.
The inscription of the Painted Churches in the Troodos region, in 1985, was approved according to the following criteria:
- They constitute a testimony of the Byzantine culture that existed on the island;
- They are important church monuments of rural ecclesiastical architecture preserved in very good condition;
- The art of these churches encompasses elements which demonstrate the relation between Eastern and Western Christian Art.
The current inscription includes 10 churches:
- The church of Agios Nikolaos Stegis (Saint Nicholas “of the Roof”) in Kakopetria
- The Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour (Ayia Sotira) in Palaichori
- The church of Panagia Phorviotissa/Asinou in Nikitari
- The church of Panagia tou Araka in Lagoudera
- The church of Panagia in Moutoullas
- The church of St John the Lampadistis in Kalopanayiotis
- The church of Archangelos Michael in Pedoulas
- The church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) Agiasmati, in Platanistassa
- The church of Virgin Mary of Podythou in Galata
- The church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) in Pelendri
More information: