The abandoned and ruined monastery of Profitis Ilias is found seven kilometres south of the village of Lythrodonta, that belongs to the district of Nicosia. It is built on the peak of a hill that is part of the Kionia mountains, in the forest of Machairas.
The Church of the monastery is in a perfect condition and it is a beautiful construction. The cells that sometime hosted the monks, built on the south side of the Church, are just there. The elaborated arches, in combination with the abandonment and the absolute silence of the landscape, create in you strange feelings.
The doors are closed and the rooms are empty. In one of them there is a church, we do not know why. From the closed rooms on the upper floor and the external corridor that connects them, you have the opportunity to admire the infinity of the Cypriot landscapes.
On the ground floor, in a corner of it there is a broken toy which is useless, but it remains a witness of human presence in the place.
Nearby there is a small picnic area, offering rest to the walkers that “dare” to take the path of “Kionia - Profitis Ilias”.
The journey to the monastery can be done from different directions. If you choose to take it from the village of Lythrodontas, then you will have to pass through the centre of the village in the direction of Machairas. A little further from the village there is a relative sign guiding you to the left. It is a dirt road and it is seven kilometres long. It is a difficult journey and it demands a high car.
Upon going uphill, you will find yourselves in front of a crossroad and the bad thing is that there are no road signs. Carry on going straight, and in 5 minutes you will be in the area of the monastery.
Ostensibly it is a difficult journey and even more if it is done in the winter, but with the appropriate vehicle, not only will you cover it easily, but it will also offer you many experiences and beautiful views. There are many sources of water that flow for many months. If you have the appropriate equipment, clothes and shoes, you will be able to climb on the slopes to meet the sources of the small streams.
Your journey passes above the dam of Lythrodonta which is built on the river of Koutsos, a confluent of Gialia. From there on, the river will be your “company” for most of the journey.
You will pass very close by the new monastery of Profitis Ilias which is built on the opposite mountain peak from the old one. No matter how much we searched, we did not find a road for this Monastery. Nature “endowed” both mountain peaks with the most beautiful colours.
