| Description: |
The church of Panagia tou Arakos is situated in a central area of the Troodos mountain range, in the area of Pitsilia, between the villages of Lagoudera and Saranti. Panagia tou Arakos used to be the katholicon (monastery church) of a monastery bearing the same name, which seems to have been built during the second half of the 12th century when monastic life was flourishing in Cyprus. Today, apart from the church, a two-storeyed monastery building survives to the north, used as the priests' residence.
It is not clear, however, whether it was intended for the church to be a monastic one. Initially, the church may have been a private chapel. Its name may derive from the word 'arakas', (a type of pea), or 'ierakas' (hawk). The church is a single-aisled domed structure with a cross-shaped roof. Sometimes, probably in the 14th century, it was covered with a protective timber roof with flat tiles. The steep-pitched roof extends beyond the main structure on three sides, thus forming a portico with latticed woodwork. The dome is covered by a separate wooden roof, a feature that is unique amongst the churches of Troodos. During the 18th century, the west wall was demolished and the church was extended. (Source) |
