The Ayia Napa monastery was built around 1500 AD and is a prominent
landmark in the town. The monastery is welcome relief to those wanting
to escape from hot mid-days in Ayia Napa. Its tranquil
courtyard and marble fountain offer a respite from the hustle
and bustle lively resort cities.
The monastery stands in what was once a fishing village, surrounded
by thick forest. In fact the term “Napa”, which means forest, is an
ancient Greek word. So Ayia Napa monastery is steeped in history.
Legend has it that the original icon for the building was discovered
accidentally by a hunter in a cave – the icon was named as the Virgin
Mary of Ayia Napa, and the monastery was built around the cave.
An ancient sycamore, believed to be over 600 years old sits outside
the south gate of Ayia Napa monastery. It was restored in 1950 and 1978
and is now a conference center serving churches in Cyprus and the
middle east. Inside there is a cave which tells of the history of the
monastery as a place of worship for early settlers to the island.
Text Courtesy of Hotel Capo Bay in Protaras