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CyprusWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Monastery Stavrovouni (Stavrovouni Monastery, or cross mountain) it is located on the top of the mountain of the same name at an altitude of 668 meters above sea level. It is considered the oldest monastery in Cyprus, and The Steregushee of the greatest Christian shrine - a particle of the life-giving Holy Cross on which Jesus was crucified. It was founded in 327 by Empress Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine I, on her way home from Jerusalem. It is an important place of pilgrimage for believers, and a popular tourist attraction, but with its own peculiarities.
Unfortunately, visiting the monastery by women is strictly prohibited. Everyone can climb the mountain, look at the monastery and the views opening from the site, but only the male sex can get directly outside the gate. Women can only enjoy the views from the height of Larnaca, Famagusta, the Troodos mountains and the Mediterranean coast, and visit the Small Church of All Saints (Church of All Saints), located on the platform in front of the entrance. By the way, a few more convenient viewing points are on the way to the top.
Male tourists can freely explore the territory of the monastery, get acquainted with the life of the monks and even see the shrine in the main temple. Taking pictures inside is strictly prohibited, for which they are asked to leave all things at the entrance, and even the phone. They do not allow you to wear shorts and T-shirts, but if you suddenly arrive in an inappropriate form, they provide a cape and pants. Male pilgrims can stay at the monastery overnight.
At the monastery there is a souvenir shop and a store of organic products produced by monks. The prices are a little too high, but all the proceeds go to support the monastery.
🕐 Working hours
visiting times for tourists are 07:00-11:00 and 14:00-18:00. We recommend visiting in the summer in clear weather, otherwise you will not be able to enjoy the views from the mountain.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price
free of charge, donations in the form of Local Store purchases are welcome.
🚶 How to get there
the monastery is located on the top of Stavrouni mountain 42 kilometers from Larnaca (monastery on the map. Buses do not go here, you can only get there by taxi, rented transport, or with excursions. There is a great road all the way to the entrance, but the last couple of kilometers will have to go up a narrow asphalt road with very sharp turns, so be very careful, especially in bad weather. At the end of the path in front of the entrance there is a spacious free parking area. If you go yourself, it is better to call here on the A5 Expressway, then on A1 and on F106. The shorter route through the village of Klavdia is partly on a dirt road, it is not recommended.
If you like hiking, you can go up to the monastery on foot, but not from Larnaca itself, it is too far. There are several routes to the top that are marked on Yandex map editor in the OSM apps. Organic Maps and others like that.
Also see options for excursions from Larnaca that can be booked online: