Nicosia District Attractions Lefkosía (Eparkhía)

Perakhorio, on the road from Nicosia to Larnaca, is a small village with the Church of the Holy Apostles, with 12th century frescoes. The church, on a hill just southwest of the village, is a small rounded structure, with numerous arched recesses. Only a few paintings have survived, but these include Christ Pantokrator in the dome, the Annunciation and the depiction of numerous saints. They are dated to 1160, which makes them some of the earliest paintings on the island.

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.

The Cyprus Rally, organized by the Cyprus Automobile Association, takes place every year during the last weekend of September. Due to its high standard of organization and its tough routes, the Cyprus Rally is classified with a co-efficient 20 in the European Championship, which is the highest co-efficient, and is included among the top 15 car rallies in the world.

Well worth visiting in the Nicosia area are the Byzantine churches of Peristetona, Perakhorio (frescoes), Lagouclera and Asinou. The picturesque medieval villages of Kakopetria, Galata, Moutoullas, Kalopanayiotis (sulfur springs) and Pedhoulas (cherry blossom in April), which also have Byzantine churches; and the Mesapotamos Monastery.

This village has been declared an ancient monument to preserve the remarkable woodwork and folk architecture of the 16th and 18th century houses.Two of the houses, the House of Katsinioros and Achilleas Demetri, which were built in the 16th century, have been restored and received the Europa Nostra Award in 1987.

The church is located 19km south of Nicosia and contains some beautiful 12th century frescoes.Outside the nearby village of Dali lies the ancient city-kingdom of Idalion, which is under excavation. According to mythology, Adonis, lover of the goddess Aphrodite, was killed here by a wild boar sent by her jealous husband.

Attractive trips can be made southwest of the city of Nicosia into the Pitsilia Hills, the eastern foothills of the Tróodos Range and into the Tróodos itself. Of particular interest are the Tombs of Tamassos and, farther southwest, the Monastery of Makheras, situated on a windy hill commanding extensive views.

Of particular interest in the Nicosia region are the Tombs of Tamassos.Tamassos was a rich city-kingdom in ancient Cyprus, renowned for its copper mines. Excavations here have brought to light the relics of Aphrodite-Astarte.The site is in Politiko village, 17km southwest of Nicosia.

The Kykko Monastery, founded in 1100, has an icon said to have been painted by St Luke. On the nearby hill of Throni is the grave of President Archbishop Makarios.

All libraries in Cyprus are open to the public for reading and local research on the premises.

Well worth visiting in the Nicosia region is the Mesapotamos Monastery.