One of the most famous and favourite Monasteries in Cyprus, is the Monastery of Panagia Trooditissa. It is found northwest of the village of Platres, in a green forest. It is a male monastery and its doors are always open for worshippers.
The Monastery was built during the 10th century, after some shepherd found the miracle performing icon of the Virgin in a cave. The icon was brought to Cyprus by a monk, 3 centuries before it was discovered in the spot where the Monastery is found today and it is believed that it is one of the icons drawn by Apostle Luke.
The Virgin was called Trooditissa because it was discovered on a slope of the mount Troodos. It was also called “Panagia Olympia” since it neighbours with the highest mountain peak of the island, Olympos. In addition, it also has the name “Panagia Aphroditissa” since it replaced the Cypriot Goddess Aphrodite that “lived” on the peak of Olympos.
The Monastery’s history is filled with offers towards the Cypriot people. It participated in all the battles for the island’s freedom from the Frankish empire until today.
It has been destroyed many times by heathens, especially during the Ottoman empire.
The serenity that dominates the area, the imposing triple aisled Basilica with its beautiful belfry, the monks that work hard in the fields surrounding the Monastery all help you to “communicate” with God.
