In order to see all the monasteries that Cyprus has, you definitely have to make many trips. Some of them can be put first on your list. Like the Monastery of Our Lady of Araka. A monastery located near the village of Lagoudera in Nicosia.
The history of the monastery and its name
The name of the Monastery is definitely special and you don’t easily forget it. The Monastery of Panagia of Arakas is considered to have gotten its name either from the pea plant or from the word ierakas i.e. the falcon. Its history begins around the 12th century. It goes back to the churches created in the Middle Byzantine period. However, unfortunately, it declined in the 18th century. Thus, today, only the two-storey monastery building on the north side of the church used as the priest’s residence can be seen.
Cyprus and the Architecture of the Temple
The Monastery of Panagia of Arakas looks architecturally like other monasteries in Cyprus. So it’s a one-aisled type with a dome. Externally the roof is shaped like a cross. What stands out in the monastery is definitely its frescoes. It presents a completed series with frescoes of the neoclassical rhythm of Byzantine art. Cyprus has other monasteries with this style as well. If you are a little cognizant of this kind of art, you will see the rich movement of the garments, the elegant and refined forms with Hellenistic influence and the rich representation on all the walls of the church.
The most famous images of the church are considered those of Christ and the Virgin Mary of Arakas which date back to the end of the 12th century. The painter pays a lot of attention to the details and with the intense confrontation of light and shadow on the face, especially that of Christ’s.
Since 1985, the church of Panagia of Arakas has been included along with nine other wall-painted Byzantine churches of Troodos mountain, in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It is definitely a religious monument in Cyprus, that you should see up close…
External photography source: wikipedia.org
Cyprus: The historical and natural monument of Akamas
Frequently Asked Questions
The Monastery of Panagia Araka is a historic religious monument located near the village of Lagoudera in Nicosia, Cyprus. It is one of the most important Byzantine monasteries in Cyprus and is known for its exceptional frescoes and architectural significance dating back to the 12th century.
The name 'Panagia Araka' is believed to have originated from two possible sources: either from the pea plant (arakas in Greek) or from the word 'ierakas' meaning falcon. The exact origin of the name remains a subject of historical discussion among scholars.
The Monastery of Panagia Araka was built around the 12th century during the Middle Byzantine period. Although it declined in the 18th century, it was recognized for its historical and artistic importance and has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1985 along with nine other wall-painted Byzantine churches of the Troodos mountain.
The Monastery of Panagia Araka features a one-aisled architectural design with a dome and a cross-shaped external roof. It exemplifies the typical Byzantine monastery architecture found in Cyprus, with its most distinctive feature being the completed series of neoclassical Byzantine frescoes covering the walls of the church.
The Monastery of Panagia Araka is famous for its exceptional Byzantine frescoes dating back to the end of the 12th century, particularly the images of Christ and the Virgin Mary. These frescoes showcase rich artistic details, elegant Hellenistic-influenced forms, and masterful use of light and shadow, representing some of the finest examples of Byzantine neoclassical art in Cyprus.
