Church of Panagia Podithou, Galata, 1502 A.D. Solea District Nikitari (Panagia tis Asinou or Forviotissa) – Galata (Panagia Podithou) – Kakopetria (Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis).
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Church of Panagia tis Asinou, Nikitari, 1105/06 A.D.
Fig. 182. Silene orchid, J. Sibthorp, Flora Graeca, London 1878.
The Church of Panagia tis Asinou is included in the list of ten churches of the Troodos region that have been declared by UNESCO to be World Heritage Monuments. It is built in a pine-clad area in the northern foothills of Troodos about three kilometres from the village of Nikitari. The Church of Panagia tis Asinou as it is more commonly known, is the unique remnant of the Monastery of Forvios, which probably acquired this name from the fact the monastery used to rear horses. According to the patronal inscription preserved above the south Fig. 183. Scenes of the Second Coming. entrance, the monastery was founded by Magister Saints and Donors, view of the Narthex, Church of Panagia tis Asinou. Nikiforos Ischirios and later the monk Nicholas, in memory of his wife Gefiras. The church, with its arch-shaped roof, has been rebuilt and acquired its present form after partial destruction of the initial church building that was constructed between 1099 and 1105/6, during which period it was decorated with wall-paintings. Later, in the 12th century, a narthex was added on its northern side and this was also decorated with wallpaintings; the layer that has been preserved until today dates to 1333 A.D. In the main church building covered with wall-paintings, those of 1105/6 and of the 14th century are preserved, as well as a few more modern ones of the 17th century. Fig. 184. Descent to Hades,
The Church of Panagia Podithou is included in the ten churches of the Troodos region that have been declared by UNESCO to be World Heritage Monuments. It is situated on the east bank of the Karkotis River that runs down the fertile Soleas valley near the village of Galata. The timberroofed church, surrounded by an ambulatory on its three sides, is covered by a single roof with hooked tiles and once belonged to a monastery, of which no building has survived. According to the patronal inscription to be found Fig. 185. Iconostasis, on the external west wall, the church was built in 1502 with Panagia Podithou, Galata village. donations from Dimtrios de Koron, a ranking Greek official in the court of the King James II. The church has never been entirely decorated, the reason being unknown. There are wallpaintings only in the Holy of Holies, with the ‘Platitera’ (icon of the Virgin Mary) and the Angels in the western triangular pediment on the inside dominating the apse with a superb composition – a picture of the Crucifixion; and externally, on the western wall with the patronal Fig. 186. Church of Panagia Podithou, Galata. inscription. Wall-paintings of Saints Petros and Pavlos in the main church building date to the 17th century. The wall-paintings of Panagia Podithou belong to the Italo-Byzantine style and are considered to be of exceptional quality, especially that of the Crucifixion. The carved wooden iconostasis of the church is modern, as are the moveable icons that adorn it, and are of the same style as those preserved today in the Bishopric of Morfou in Evrychou village. Fig. 187. Holy Communion of the Apostles, Church of Panagia Podithou, Galata.
The wine of the Eucharist is inexpressible light, indescribable sweetness, eternal wisdom.
Church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Kakopetria, 11th century A.D. The Church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis is included in the list of ten churches that have been declared by UNESCO to be World Heritage Monuments. It once formed part of a monastery, of which there remains nothing today except the church itself.
Church of Panagia tis Asinou, Nikitari.
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