Εκκλησία Παναγίας Χρυσοσπηλιώτισσας

Panagia Chrysopiliotissa Church

Useful Information

Location:	Kato Deftera Village, 11 km from Nicosia. Nicosia district. (35.091727, 33.24607)
Open:	All year daily. [2020]
Fee:	free, donations welcome. [2020]
Classification:	Cave Church
Light:	Incandescent
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Panagia Chrysopiliotissa Church, Deftera 2450, Tel: +357-22-625200.
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History

Description

The cave church Εκκλησία Παναγίας Χρυσοσπηλιώτισσας (Panagia Chrysopiliotissa) is quite impressive for a cave church. Actually you can't see the church because it is located inside the rock. But the front wall of this church is a huge facade with an enormous stone staircase leading up to the cave church entrance, located in the middle of a spectacular sandstone cliff. The cave is in sandstone and was dug artificially. There was probably an overhanging cliff face or a shallow cave, but this abri has been extended several thousand years ago, has been used as catacombs or church for many centuries. The church as well as sacristy, ticket office, and souvenir shop are located in artificial caves. All dug artificially into the rather soft sandstone.

The cave is said to have had murals at one time. They are completely destroyed, no remains can be seen today. We guess the sandstone is not a very good basement for such murals, they tend to fall off. Today the church has all only the natural sandstone on walls and ceiling.