Panagia tis Podythou

Troödos Mountains

LoginSave

Located in the village of Galata, on the Nicosia road, this 16th-century Unesco-listed church was established in 1502 by Dimitrios de Coron, a Greek military officer in the service of James II (king of Cyprus).

Its 17th-century frescos cover the pediment of both the east and west walls. The two striking frescos on the north and south walls appear uncompleted. They depict the apostles, Peter and Paul, in a Renaissance-influenced (Italo-Byzantine) style with vivid colours that provide a three-dimensional appearance.

Occupied by monks until the 1950s, the church is rectangular, with a semicircular apse at the eastern end and a portico (built later) that surrounds it on three sides. It also has a characteristic pitched roof.

If the church is closed, ask for the caretaker at the Galata village coffee shop.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Ancient artifacts from the Roman city of Kourian in Cyprus ancient, archaeological, architecture, attraction, baths, blocks, building, city, columns, curium, cyprus, episkopi, europe, excavations, floor, greco, greek, heating, heritage, historic, hypocaust, kourion, remains, roman, ruins, sand, site, stone, structure, tiles, under, walls

    Ancient Kourion

    22.9 MILES

    Defiantly perched on a hillside, with a sweeping view of the surrounding patchwork fields and the sea, Ancient Kourion is a spectacular site. Most likely…

  • Courtyard in Kykkos monastery.

    Kykkos Monastery

    8.93 MILES

    The island’s most prosperous and opulent Orthodox monastery was founded in the 11th century by Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komninos after a bizarre series…

  • Selimiye Mosque in Nicosia, Northern Cyprus.

    Selimiye Mosque

    29.17 MILES

    North Nicosia’s most prominent landmark (also clearly visible from the southern half of the city), the Selimiye Mosque is a beautiful mongrel of a…

  • A series of columns in Amathus ancient city archaeological site.

    Ancient Amathous

    24.23 MILES

    The remains at this archaeological site, about 11km east of Lemesos, belie its original importance. Amathous was one of Cyprus’ original four kingdoms,…

  • 16th century Venetian walls of Nicosia, Cyprus; Shutterstock ID 132634124; Your name (First / Last): Brana V; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Nicosia destination page

    Venetian Walls

    29.44 MILES

    The Venetian walls form a border around the Old City and are so unusual that, once seen on a map, you’ll never forget the odd snowflake-like shape.

  • The famous beach of Aphrodite's rock, Cyprus.

    Aphrodite’s Rock & Beach

    27.61 MILES

    Possibly the most famous beach in Cyprus, Aphrodite’s Beach is distinctive for its two upright rocks, which are easy to spot, particularly as you'll…

  • Buyuk Han (The Great Inn) Nicosia, North Cyprus; Shutterstock ID 54096925; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Büyük Han

    29.09 MILES

    The Büyük Han is Cyprus' best-preserved example of Ottoman caravanserai architecture. Built in 1572 by the first Ottoman governor of Cyprus, Lala Mustafa…

  • Ruins at the Aphrodite sanctuary

    Sanctuary of Aphrodite

    27.04 MILES

    A World Heritage Site, the sanctuary is recognised as being one of the most important ancient sites related to Aphrodite in Cyprus and yet it is arguably…

View more attractions

Nearby Troödos Mountains attractions

1. Panagia Theotokou (Arhangelou)

0.12 MILES

Dating from around 1514, this smaller chapel is just near Panagia tis Podythou. It’s quite dark inside, so you may want to bring a torch. It has vivid…

2. Troödos Botanical Gardens

0.17 MILES

Part of the excellent Troödos Geopark, this is a small but well-laid-out botanical garden with a lily pond and other water features, including a tumbling…

3. Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis

1.41 MILES

This Unesco-listed church, known in English as St Nicholas of the Roof because of its large, heavy-pitched top, was founded in the 11th century and…

4. Olive Mill of Paphitaina

3.84 MILES

In operation until 1955, this well-preserved olive-stone mill and wooden press are now housed in a traditional building in Spilia’s village centre.

5. Agios Ioannis Lambadistis Monastery

3.86 MILES

This Unesco-listed site is a complex of three churches in one, dating from the 11th century and built over 400 years. Now under one huge pitched wooden…

6. Panagia tou Moutoulla

4.19 MILES

The oldest of the 10 Unesco-listed painted churches in the Troödos Mountains, this church is believed to have once been a private chapel. It has the steep…

7. Archangelos Michail

4.28 MILES

Most people visit Pedoulas to see this extraordinary Unesco-listed church. Dating from 1474, the gable-roofed building sits in the lower part of the…

8. Pedoulas Byzantine Museum

4.29 MILES

The museum’s rich collection of 12th- to 15th-century icons come from six ancient Byzantine churches in the village and include the late-13th-century icon…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "cyprus/solea-valley/attractions/panagia-tis-podythou/a/poi-sig/1434891/1330774",
  "destination": "Troödos-Mountains",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "country": "Cyprus",
  "region": "Troödos-Mountains",
  "position": "superzone"
}