This is a beautiful medieval monastery dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Forest ". It is located in the middle of the village of Ayia Napa and it is protected by high walls. Both the village and the monastery took their name from the ancient Greek word "Napa" which means wooded valley and referred to the morphology of this area. The monastery was built around 1500 AD and it looks like a medieval castle. Part of it was built on land and the rest of it was carved in a rock. Undoubtedly, the Monastery of Ayia Napa is the most famous landmark of the village and surrounding area.
The old sycamore tree in front of the south entrance is believed to have been there for more than 600 years. The monastery was restored in 1950 and in 1978 it became a Ecumenical Conference Center serving churches in Cyprus and the Middle East.
A new church, also dedicated to Virgin Mary, was built in the southwest of the monastery in 1994.
Open hours
- Winter: daily, 09:30 - 15:00
- Summer: daily, 09:30 - 21:00
