Monastery of Ioannis Lambadistis (Saint John) at Kalopanayiotis village, Marathasa valley, Nicosia

Monastery of Ioannis Lambadistis at Kalopanayiotis 

One of the most important places to visit at Kalopanayiotis is the monastery of Ioannis Lambadistis ( Saint John Lambadistis).

The Church consists of 3 parts, the oldest being the Church of Saint Heracledios that was built in the 11th century.

The Church of Ioannis Lambadistis was built in the 12th century and the last part was built in the 15th century.

Many of the wall paintings are in a very good condition but of various time periods. Some traces of wall paintings of the 12th century are still visible!

Once inside the Church one should not miss to see the Holy grave of Saint John. It is a very rare grave that has an obelisk shape! His skull though has been found outside the grave and it is there for people to see.  

Today the monastery is trying to re-establish its self after a long period with no monks. For the past one and a half years the monastery has one monk and trying slowly slowly to increase its numbers.

Ioannis Lambadistis is under the protection of UNESCO world heritage