Plizio Visual Lab
Machairas Monastery
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
church
Machairas Monastery is situated at the foot of Mount Kionia in the Troodos range and is one of Cyprus's most significant religious sites. Founded in 1148 by the hermits Neophytos and Ignatios, it was established after they discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave. Tradition attributes the painting of this icon to the Apostle Luke. The name 'Machairas' (meaning knife) originates from a legend involving a knife used by the monks to clear dense brushwood to reach the hidden icon. The monastery was granted imperial privileges by the Byzantine Emperor Manuel Comnenus. Throughout its history, the complex has been devastated by fires on several occasions, most recently in 1892, but it has always been meticulously rebuilt. The present architecture showcases traditional craftsmanship, featuring wooden balconies and a lavishly decorated interior. It continues to function as an active male monastery with strict liturgical observances.
- Location: Cyprus
- Top sights: Kionia peak · Kakokefalos View Point
- Nearby: Agioi Trimithias (21 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Oct.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 11 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 27 | 22 | 17 | 13 |
| Rain mm | 83 | 51 | 28 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 20 | 38 | 85 |
📋 Practical info
Visiting
Machairas Monastery is an active Orthodox monastery and can be visited during visiting hours. The church is open to believers and tourists, the monastery area is partially accessible.
Typical hours
The monastery is typically open daily from about 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with a lunch break between 12:00 and 2:00 pm. On major religious holidays access may be restricted.
Photography
Photography is allowed in the church without flash; photography is not permitted in the monks' cells. For photos of monks, politely ask permission.
Time needed
A visit to the monastery and church takes about 30-45 minutes. Those wanting to study the icons more closely and enjoy the peace can plan one hour.
Combine with
Combine the monastery with a hike in the Troodos Mountains, e.g., to the nearby Kaledonia Waterfall. The village of Kourdali with its traditional houses is also worth a visit.
Getting there
The monastery lies at 800 m altitude in the Troodos Mountains and is reachable via the B9 road from Nicosia. Parking is available in front of the monastery.
Insider tip
Visit the monastery early in the morning to experience the morning liturgy and enjoy the scent of incense. The miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary is displayed in a silver frame.
Geography
Facts
- Founded in 1148 during the Byzantine administrative period.
- Houses one of the 70 icons purportedly painted by the Apostle Luke.
- Located at an altitude of approximately 870 meters in the Troodos mountains.
- A devastating fire in 1892 forced a near-total reconstruction of the site.
- Enjoys the status of an imperial stauropegic monastery.
- The hideout of EOKA hero Grigoris Afxentiou is located nearby.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Machairas Monastery (2)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Machairas Monastery located?
It is located in the Troodos mountains at an altitude of about 870 meters, around 40 km from Nicosia.
Which holy icon is kept there?
The monastery houses the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary of Machairas, attributed to Luke the Evangelist.
Is there a dress code for visitors?
Yes, visitors must be modestly dressed (shoulders and knees covered).
Is photography allowed inside the monastery?
Photography and filming inside the church are strictly prohibited.
When is the monastery open to visitors?
Daily from 08:30 to 17:30, though it is often closed to groups on Wednesdays.
Machairas Monastery: where is it located?
Machairas Monastery is located in Cyprus.
Machairas Monastery: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kionia peak, Kakokefalos View Point.
Machairas Monastery: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Oct.
Machairas Monastery: why is it worth visiting?
Machairas Monastery is situated at the foot of Mount Kionia in the Troodos range and is one of Cyprus's most significant religious sites.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Cyprus →
Nearby cities
Mesa Geitonia
Mesa Geitonia is a district and municipality in the Limassol metropolitan area.
Strovolos
Strovolos is a large municipality in the Nicosia District.
Latsia
Latsia is a suburb in the southeast of Nicosia.
Kato Polemidia
Kato Polemidia is a suburb to the northwest of Limassol.
Elia
Elia is a tranquil coastal village in Cyprus, known for its pristine sandy beaches and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.
Lapithos
Lapithos is a picturesque coastal town in Cyprus, known for its lush citrus groves and stunning sea views.
Karavas
A picturesque coastal town in Cyprus, renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches, historic sites, and lush Mediterranean scenery.
Agioi Trimithias
Agioi Trimithias is a municipality west of Nicosia.
Kakopetria
A picturesque village in the Solea Valley, known for its preserved historic quarter, rushing streams, and the famous Agios Nikolaos tis S…
Pedoulas
A terraced village in the Marathasa Valley, famous for its cherry orchards and the UNESCO-listed Church of Archangel Michael.
Platres
A sophisticated mountain resort in the Troodos range, famous for its waterfalls, boutique chocolate workshops, and cool summer air.
Mount Olympus (Chionistra)
The highest peak in Cyprus, located in the Troodos Mountains, offering ski slopes in winter and cool hiking trails in summer.
Troodos
The green heart of Cyprus featuring Mount Olympus, cool pine forests, and UNESCO-protected barn-roofed churches.
History & landmarks
Nature
Kionia Peak
Kionia is a mountain peak in the Machairas Mountains.
🗺️
Dipotamos Dam
A large reservoir located between Larnaca and Limassol, surrounded by rolling hills.
🗺️
Lefkara Dam
A large earth-fill dam that creates a stunning blue lake in the mountains above Lefkara.
Papoutsa Peak
Papoutsa is a mountain in the Troodos massif.
Akrounta Dam
A smaller reservoir near the village of Akrounta, providing a peaceful spot for nature lovers.
Farma Peak
Farma is a mountain in the Troodos massif.
More places
Machairas Forest
A national forest park on the eastern part of the Troodos range, home to the historic Machairas Monastery.
Gourri Valley
The Gourri Valley is located in the Pitsilia region.
Melios Pet Park
A large park and zoo in Nicosia district, with a variety of exotic animals and birds.
Sayious Adventure Park Animals
While known for adventure sports, this park also has a small animal corner with donkeys, goats, and chickens.
🗺️
Sayious Adventure Park
A park for adrenaline junkies with off-road buggies, go-karts, paintball and other activities.
Ruins of Tamassos
Ancient site in Politiko, known for royal tombs and copper mines.
🗺️
Kalavasos Dam
An important dam and reservoir for the water supply of the Larnaca, Famagusta and Nicosia districts.
The Cyprus Planetarium & Observatory
A state-of-the-art planetarium and observatory offering educational shows about the universe.