Frescoes of Panagia tou Araka Church
The most beautiful century of Byzantine art has completed its cycle, with the occupation of Cyprus by Richard the Lionheart in 1191. The epilogue of this period is depicted in the main church of the Monastery of Panagia tou Araka in the village of Lagoudera.
The wall paintings date back to 1192 AD. and are the most complete set of frescoes in Cyprus. The main features of the frescoes are the pinkness of the figures, the intense ripples of the crests and the imamas, the lively movement and the tall forms.
The iconographic cycle starts with scenes of the Lord surrounded by the throne of Preparation, Angels in medals, Prophets, Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and Evangelists. Then, the Virgin Mary with Christ is pictured between the Archangels and seven Saints of Cyprus.
With scenes from the Birth of Christ, the Apostate Cathedral, the Baptism, the Ascension, the Episodes and the Assumption of the Virgin, the circle of frescoes is completed. The fresco of Panagia Arakiotissa has a special place. The frescoes are the work of the painter Theodoros Apsevdis.
Location
Frescoes - Icons
The Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (St. Nicholas of the Shelter) Murals
The 12th century is considered as the golden age for Byzantine art in Cyprus, but also unique in the whole world, because the surviving ones from this period are limited. The frescoes that survive in Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis and especially those revea
The Church of Panagia Asinou Frescoes
The church of Panagias Forviotissas, better known as Panagia Asinou, is built southwest of Nikitari village. The interior of the church of Panagia Asinou is documented. The frescoes that survive today belong to different chronological periods. The olde
The Monastery of Agios Ioannis (St. John) Lambadistis Frescoes
As seen in the decor and frescoes, the monastery flourished during the Byzantine period, as well as during the French Occupation (1191-1489) and the Venetian domination (1489-1571). The frescoes were created in different times, from the 11th to the 16t
The Panagia Odigitria (Virgin Mary The Guide) Icon
One of the most remarkable icons is that of Panagia Odigitria dating back to 1474. It belongs to the local iconographer Minas, who also painted the famous church of Archangel Michael. The icon is kept and displayed in the Byzantine Museum of Pedoulas.
