Located in the mountainous Marathasa Valley, the Monastery of Kykkos is the wealthiest and most lavish on the island. It stands at an altitude of 1,318 metres on a mountain peak. The monastery is dedicated to Panagia, the Virgin Mary, and houses one of three icons attributed to Agios Loukas, Apostle Luke the Evangelist. This silver-gilt icon resides in a shrine made of tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl, placed in front of the iconostasis.
According to tradition, the Cypriot hermit Isaiah miraculously healed the daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118 AD). In return, he requested the icon. Despite his grief at losing this treasure, the emperor sent it to Cyprus along with funds to construct a monastery to house the sacred relic. The monastery has burned down several times, leaving nothing of the original structure.
Today, the monastery is known for producing Zivania spirit and other alcoholic beverages. It holds religious fairs on September 8th (Birth of the Virgin) and August 15th (Dormition of the Virgin). A museum also exists within its grounds. Notably, it served as the novice monastery for Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of Cyprus.
