Nicosia - Makheras Monastery

(Local Name: Makherás) Southwest of Nicosia is the Monastery of Makheras, situated on a windy hill commanding extensive views.

This monastery (12mi/19km from Nicosia) was founded by two monks in 1148, when an icon of the Virgin Mary was found in a nearby cave. The Emperor Comnenos gave them funds to build the monastery and it received many royal visitors, including the wife of Hugh IV, who was allegedly struck dumb after entering the sanctuary which was forbidden to women.

The monastery burned down twice in 1530 and 1892 and the current buildings show little sign of its long history. However, it has continued to play a role in Cyprus' more modern history. Grigoris Afxentiou, the second in command of