Let’s talk about Kiti. Normally I do my best to present only facts from my journey in Cyprus. I will research, and check, and do my best to tell you the truth.
But this time, I can only present you the legend of how the church from Kiti was built. Because it is such a beautiful story that it would be a pity to spoil everything with what the scientist and common sense will say it is real for most of us.
Let’s discover Kiti
First, I want to invite you to visit Kiti, a small village situated just a few minutes drive from Larnaca Airport and only 11 km distance from the city.
The easiest way to get there is with a hired car, which you can park on one of the many free parking places I saw in the center of the village, all very well-marked.
Then all you have to do is go for a walk, no worries about getting lost since it is a small place. You will find a few places to eat or just to have a drink when you get thirsty.
I am like a little Ferdinand on my walks, so of course I’ve discovered something new for me -pink frangipani flowers and many nice gardens and flower shops.
And while you walk, you can picture the place a few hundred years ago, when it was ruled by the Lusignans, or even better, imagine how the place got to be inhabited the first time when the people of Kition (Larnaca today) escaped the Arab invasions started in 647 AD.
There is a lot of history in this area, and also a beautiful legend about how the church in the center was built.
Panagia tis Angeloktistis
If you ever passed through Kiti, most probably you saw a beautiful church at the corner of the street, on your way to Camel Park or to another famous village in the area, Zigy.
In this case, you saw Panagia tis Angeloktistis, which means The Church Built by Angels. And if you never stopped to visit, then be sure to do so the next time you are in the area.
Unique mosaic
There I found Kyria Maria, who shared the story of this place with me. All you have to do to find out the details is ask her 😊
You will find out that the mosaic from the Altar of the church is almost unique on the island because Virgin Mary is standing, and not sitting like most of any other representations. Then, if you look carefully at the size of the pieces that make the whole picture, they are so tiny that only the hands of the angels could have done it, kyria Maria told me.
Then, you have the inscription that says Agia Maria – and the Greek Ortothodox haven’t called Vigin Mary like that since medieval times. The name they use now is Panagia.
So, the Engels built this place more than 1300 years ago, in the 6th century AD. And the researcher confirms the date for the building of the first part of the holy place. After that, the place was made bigger sometime in the 9th century.
Angels helped to build the place
Going back to the beginnings, the story says that when the builders were coming back the next day to continue their work, they noticed the walls of the church being higher than they left them the previous day. And day after day, the same story, until they decided to stay overnight to see what was happening.
And the story says that in the night they saw angels coming down on Earth and helping with the construction.
And this is how the holy place got its name – Angeloktistis, which means Built by Angels.
The hidden icon
One of the icons in this Church, the one on the left side of the Altar, is dated sometime in the 9th century. And it was discovered by mistake when they decided to clean a different icon in the church, and under that one it was hidden the one we can admire today.
Archangel Michael will follow you with his eyes
On the right side of the Alter you will find another icon, and this one will follow you, wherever you will move. I don’t know who painted it, but the effect obtain is captivating. It is said it is from the 16th century.
In this church build with river stones you will also find a piece of its original floor. In the center, covered with glass.
Don’t miss the park
And if you’re there, don’t forget to check out the beautiful park behind the church. There are not so many places on this part of the island where you can see one like it. It might not seem like much if you’re coming from Europe, but it is a lot for me, living on this island for some years now.
Here you can check all the technical data about the church and the painting, but I stick to my idea that the legends are much better in this case.
Panagia tis Angeloktistis 👉 Wikipedia info
Places to visit nearby
Pervolia
It is the village next to Kiti, with similar streets, but it also has some more virgin beaches worth discovering and the old light house.
See more 👉 Pervolia, the kings home
Camel Park Mazotos
There are only 7 minutes drive from Kiti to Camel Park in Mazotos, and that is a destination both for kids and adults.
You can also stop and check Softades Beach, famous for its windsurf conditions, and see maybe you want to take some Kite surfing lessons.
See more 👉 Camel Park Mazotos. Open all year around
Zygi Village
Further on you will find Zygi village and its nice beach, harbor and famous fish taverns.
See more 👉 Zygi, the quiet village by the sea
[…] If you’re on holiday on the East Coast, then you can consider visiting Deryneia and Kiti. […]