Politiko - St Herakleidios Convent

(Local Name: Áyios Irakléidios) In Politiko village, 500 meters from the Royal Tombs, is the St Herakleidios Convent. When saints Paul and Barnabas came to Cyprus, they were guided to Tamassos by Herakleidios. He was martyred and buried in the cave where he had lived and preached. The monastery, founded in A.D. 400, was destroyed and rebuilt several times until Archbishop Chrysanthos renovated it in 1773. The relics of the saints are kept in a silver gilt case.