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CyprusWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Monastery Of Saint Neophytos The Recluse (Agios Neophytos Monastery) – this is a place of real pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians, and at the same time one of the most popular attractions around Paphos.
In the distant past, the monastery was the haven of the beloved saint neophyte in Cyprus, who initially arranged a cell in the cave and founded a Skete, a small church. Here he lived, prayed and wrote religious texts. The monastery was subjected to defeats and for some time remained in desolation, until in 1756 the holy relics of the neophyte were returned there. Subsequently, the monastery was completed, acquiring magnificent architectural forms.
This is a whole complex, which consists of the monastery itself, the temple, the museum, the ancient cave cells. Inside it is interesting to see the wooden iconostasis, ancient paintings on the walls and manuscripts, you can drink or draw water from the sacred spring. The grottoes even preserved frescoes made during the life of the neophyte. Unfortunately, it is impossible to photograph inside the museum and cells (grottoes). The entrances to the museum and cells are located separately, but are visited by one ticket, which is sold at both entrances. But even if you decide not to visit the museum and cells for a fee, which may not even be necessary, since you will spend no more than five minutes there, it is worth visiting the complex as a whole in any case.
300 meters from the monastery along the road you can stop at one unusual place-the Cattery Agios Neofytos CatPark, related to the monastery (nursery on the map). More than a hundred cats live here, for them everything is arranged in the best possible way: there is food, water, toys and even a pool. The kennel for visiting closes at 14 hours, after this time you can only pet or play with cats outside the territory.
🕐 Working hours
in the daytime.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price
free of charge, entrance to the museum and grottoes - 2 euros (2.32 USD, see Cyprus currency and money).
🚶 How to get there
the monastery is located 10 kilometers from the center Paphos (monastery on the map. You can get here by bus number 604, which several times a day on schedule depart from Karavela bus station in Central Paphos. There are many buses from the tourist area to this bus station. The fare is 1.5 euros. For private/rented vehicles there is free parking in front of the entrance.
Visiting the monastery is most interesting with an excursion or an individual guide. You can buy them from travel agencies on the spot, or pick them up and order them from one of these proven tour search and booking sites with reviews: