After a fire in 1365, the monastery was rebuilt, this time using wood and stone. In 1541, the monastery burned down again and was reconstructed entirely from stone. At that time, the church had a single nave, but in 1745, it was expanded and became a three-aisled church. The central aisle is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Hence, the monastery celebrates its religious festivals on September 8th (the Nativity of the Virgin Mary) and August 15th (the Assumption of the Virgin Mary). The right aisle is dedicated to All Saints, and the left is dedicated to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
The bell tower was constructed much later than the monastery itself, in 1882, as during the period of the Ottoman Empire, bell ringing was prohibited for Christians. The bell tower houses six bells, with the most significant one being of Russian origin, weighing 1,280 kg.
In 1926, the future Archbishop Makarios III, who later became the first President of Cyprus, began his ecclesiastical career at the Kikkos Monastery. After his death, he was also buried 2 km away from the monastery, and his tomb has become a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims.
In 1986, the Research Center of the Kikkos Monastery was established, which houses an archive and a rich library. In 1995, the Museum of the Holy Monastery of Kikkos was opened, following the decision of the abbot Nikiforos Kikkotis.
On June 10, 2012, the monastery was visited by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia during his visit to the Church of Cyprus.
Your day begins with a serene visit to the historic Kykkos Monastery, where the ornate decorations and tranquil atmosphere offer a peek into Cyprus's rich ecclesiastical tradition. From there, you journey to the mountain tomb of Makarios III, a place marked by solemnity and historical significance, boasting panoramic views of the island. The next leg of your trip involves traversing the medieval Venetian bridges over the Diorios River, where the impressive architecture harkens back to an era of grandeur and rich cultural exchange. As the sun sets, you find yourself in the charming village of Lofou, walking down its cobblestone streets, surrounded by traditional stone houses that seem to whisper tales from the past. Here in Lofou, you end the day with a sense of fulfilment, as if you've truly experienced the very heart and soul of Cyprus.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
