About 6km north-east of Panagia stands the steep-pitched chapel of Agios Georgios Emnon, constructed in 1978 with local building material. The chapel, built by the Presidential guard, in memory of the late president Makarios, is simple without mural paintings. It is built amid centuries-old pine-trees on the ruins of an original church dedicated to St George. The chapel can be approached either from Panagia or from Kykko.
Visits to the Kykko monastery through the Forest of Pafos. Very often local and foreign tourists wish to visit the historic Kykko monastery (in Nicosia district), where lies the burial ground of late Archbishop and President Makarios. The forest of Pafos can be crossed by two routes: (a) Through Stavros tis Psokas. This route follows Sellain tou Skotomenou (with cool water), Dodeka Anemi with Tripylos 1362 metres.a.s.l on the right, and Matsimas (with piped cool water). The visitor who chooses this route will observe the efforts of the Department of Forest to reforest burnt areas on steep slopes, deep valleys and ravines. The flora is rich, while the pictures are abundant, rare and aesthetically attractive. (b) Through Panagia. This route among variations of green passes by the chapel of St George Emnon, built in memory of late Archbishop Makarios. This is a quiet nice spot with piped water. Soon the traveller crosses the Valley of Cedars with the beautiful cedar trees occupying a vast area. The cedars appear as carpets, overshadowing everything underneath. It is a superb spectacle worth enjoying before continuing the trip. The rest of the trip is among steep-sided valleys, ridges and tree-clad slopes, before the historic and most renowned monastery of Cyprus is encountered.
Destination: Chapel of Agios Georgios Emnon Photo Gallery
Agios Georgios Chapel (Ayia Napa)
Moufflon. Moufflon is as old as the first inhabitants of Cyprus or the first neolithic settlements of the island. In neolithic times it was hunted and caught for its meat as well as for its bones. Later on, particularly in the Hellenistic-Roman times, its presence is testified to by the mosaics of Pafos. In the Middle Ages it was the game of the noble Frankish ruling class. In 1939, the forest of Pafos, where the animals live, was declared a game reserve area. The Turkish invasion of 1974 had restricted the animals to very low numbers, while currently it is believed that there are a few thousand. The emblem of the Cyprus Airways is the Cypriot moufflon, which is unique in the world. Though in the past moufflons could be encountered in the Troodos forest, currently they are confined mainly to the forest of Pafos. There is a seasonal movement to higher areas of the forest in summer and to lower in winter. Its pale brown hair protects it from enemies, as it resembles the colour of the natural vegetation. The moufflon belongs to the sheep family with the male having horns like those of a ram, and the female bearing no horns. The animals live from 15 to 20 years, are very elegant and powerful. As soon as they feel the presence of man they disappear. Normally they appear in groups of five or six. Cypriots attach great importance to the animals, which are highly protected.
Moufflon, living mainly in the forest of Pafos (The monastery of Kykko, lying in the Nicosia district, is described in detail later in the blog)
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