Troodos Mountains

Troodos is the biggest mountain range of Cyprus, located in the center of the island. Troodos' highest peak is Mount Olympus at 1,952 metres.

The Troodos mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus. There are many famous mountain resorts, Byzantine monasteries and churches on mountain peaks, and nestling in its valleys and picturesque mountain villages clinging to terraced hill slopes.

Geology of Troodos

The Troodos mountain is known worldwide for its astounding geology and the presence of undisturbed specimens of ophiolite. Troodos slowly rose from the sea due to the collision of the African and European tectonic plates, a process that eventually formed the island of Cyprus. The slowing down and eventual almost stopping of this process left the rock formations near intact, while subsequent erosion uncovered the magma chamber underneath the mountain, allowing a viewing of intact rocks and petrified pillow lava formed millions of years in the past, an excellent example of ophiolite stratigraphy. Actually, the observations of the Troodos ophiolite by Ian Graham Gass and co-workers was one of the key points that led to the theory of sea floor spreading.

Churches

There are nine churches and one monastery in Troodos that are counted among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites and several other monasteries, of which the Kykkos monastery is the richest and most famous. The nine Byzantine churches are:

  • Stavros tou Ayiasmati
  • Panayia tou Araka
  • Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri
  • Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis
  • Panayia Podithou
  • Assinou
  • Ayios loannis Lampadistis
  • Panayia tou Moutoula
  • Archangel Michael at Pedhoulas

The area has been known since ancient times for its copper mines, and in the Byzantine period it became a great centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries were built in the mountains, away from the threatened coastline.

Villages of Troodos (selection)

  • Platres
  • Galata
  • Evrychou
  • Kakopetria
  • Louvaras
  • Palaichori
  • Kourdali
  • Pelendri
  • Kalopanagiotis
  • Moutoullas
  • Pachna
  • Dora
  • Malia
  • Prastio
  • Arsos
  • Pedoulas
  • Omodos
  • Phini
  • Koilani
  • Agros
  • Prodromos
  • Marathassa Valley
  • Monte Korfi
  • Vasa Koilaniou
  • Lania

See also

  • Geography of Cyprus

External links

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Michael Christodoulou
2 November 2014
Troodos mountains never fail to amaze everybody with its views and changes of scenery in every corner. During the snow period it can be hectic to cone during the weekend as everybody wants to visit.
Panos Argiropoulos
7 September 2014
Amazing view! This place proves that Cyprus can combine sea, mountain and green in a perfect way! High recommended to visit!
Majka
3 January 2015
We drove up the Troodos mountains from Limassol and down into Nicosia on the route back. This gave us amazing views from such a height. Do recommend.
European Parliament
15 July 2013
The highest mountains on the island. In February, if you are lucky with the weather, you can ski here AM, and swim the Mediterranean PM. A popular place for hiking year round.
Paige C
7 June 2015
Beautiful mountains. Tons of trails and waterfalls to discover. Be on alert for sudden rain though!
Kseniya Doroshkova
19 August 2016
Надевайте удобную обувь и приезжайте на машине на весь день! Можно также приобрести местные сувениры и очень вкусные орехи ????
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