Omodos Monastery of Stavros

No visit to the picturesque wine-producing village of Omodos is complete without stopping at the Timiou Stavrou (Holy Cross) Monastery, which is considered the true pride of the local people.

The church, built in two-levels and in the shape of the Greek letter Pi, is of imposing architecture and plays a very significant role of Cyprus's cultural heritage, being one of the oldest monasteries on the island.

A place of great ecclesiastical importance in Cyprus, it attracted pilgrims from all over the world during many centuries, and its importance was confirmed when Saint Helen presented the monastery with a section of the blood-stained rope that bound Jesus to the Holy Cross during her visit to Cyprus back in 327 AD.

Many other important relics are kept in the monastery such as the skull of Apostle Phillip.

Highlights:

• A monastery of great historical and ecclesiastical importance, and the oldest one on the island

• A section of the blood-stained rope that bound Jesus to the Holy Cross is kept here, together with other important relics, such as the skull of Apostle Phillip

• The 1812 church's bell, which is preserved until today, is the first bell that rang in Cyprus during the years of Turkish enslavement