Church of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros (Transfiguration of the Saviour), Palaichori, 15th-16th centuries A.D. The Church of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros is on the eastern fringes of the village of Palaichori. Built in the style of timber-roofed churches found in the Troodos mountain range, it must have been constructed at the end of the 15th century or the beginning of the 16th century. Later, early in the 17th century a narthex was added to the north and south and the entire church is covered with a single roof, with its traditional hooked Fig. 212. Church of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros, Palaichori. tiles. The wall-paintings that decorate the interior of the church are remarkable, and for the greater part are preserved in an excellent condition. The patronal inscription that has been preserved in fragments in the main church does not enlighten us sufficiently concerning its building and decoration, but on examining the style of the wall-paintings one can relate them to those of the Church of Timios Stavros tou Agiasmati in Platanistasa (1494) and of the Church of Agios Mamas in Louvaras (1495), both works of the painter Philip Goul.
Even if they cannot be attributed with absolute certainty to Philip Goul, the wall-paintings of the Transfiguration in Palaichori must belong to this painter’s immediate circle, and one could date them to the end of the 15th century. Through an inscription, the few wallpaintings of the narthex can be dated to 1612 and Fig. 214. Interior of the Church differ substantially from of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros, Palaichori. those in the main church, while the carved wooden icon stand of the church dates to 1704. The Church of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros in Palaichori was included in December 2001 in the World Heritage list of UNESCO and is the tenth church of Troodos to be recorded there.
Fig. 216. Saint Dimitrios and Saint Georgios on horseback. Wall-painting, Church of Metamorphosis tou Sotiros, Palaichori.
111 Fig. 213. The village of Palaichori.
Fig. 215. “The heavens display the glory of the Lord”.