Agios Neophytos Monastery, Paphos (must see)

Agios Neophytos Monastery, located in the community of Tala, 15 km west of Paphos, is a renowned historical and religious site with a rich heritage dating back to the 12th century. Founded by the monk Neophytos, the monastery has an intriguing history and remarkable architecture.

Agios Neophytos Monastery's history began when Neophytos, a devout monk, sought an ascetic and secluded life. In 1159, after facing imprisonment for his religious pursuits, he ventured into the Cypriot hills and discovered a natural cave. He carefully ensured the solitude and serenity of the area before he extended the cave to create his hermitage cell, a small chapel, and eventually his tomb. Originally, this site was his personal hermitage.

As time passed, Neophytos attracted a following, and the hermitage, known as Engleistra, evolved into a monastic community. In 1170, the Bishop of Paphos convinced him to take a pupil, marking the official establishment of the monastery as a quiet monastic community. However, due to Neophytos's strict rejection of materialism and disturbances, the number of monks at the monastery remained smaller than that of contemporary monastic institutions, typically totaling around fifteen to eighteen monks.

The Engleistra, an integral part of Agios Neophytos Monastery, consists of three key elements: the church of the True Cross, Neophytos's cell, and the Refectory. All of these structures are carved into the steep rock face of the cave. A trapezoidal narthex serves as the entrance to the Engleistra, leading to the refectory in the north and Neophytos's cell in the south. The primary body of the church and the bema are adorned with wall paintings that date back throughout the monastery's history. An interesting feature is a cross-shaped niche on the eastern wall, which once held a wooden cross containing a fragment of the True Cross.

A significant portion of the wall paintings within the original Engleistra, created during Neophytos's lifetime, were completed by Theodore Apsuedes in 1183. Further frescoes in other parts of the monastery, also dating back to the 12th century, were likely executed after 1197.

The main church of the monastery, the katholikon, is a large Venetian-inspired basilica, presumably constructed in the early 16th century. Although it was also decorated with wall paintings, only a few fragments have survived. This church stands in contrast to the more ancient and intimate Engleistra.

The Agios Neophytos Monastery now includes a museum dedicated to educating visitors about the history of the monastic community. The museum displays various icons, manuscripts, and historical artifacts related to the monastery.