Historical background information  

The small church located by the main roadside of the village, is dedicated to Cypriot local Saint of Ayia Photini (Photou). According to written sources, the church of Ayia Photini is a late-18th century building and it was declared an Ancient Monument. The building is a stone made structure with a barrel shape dome roof and flat areas over the side walls. The belltower is also a stone structure that has a stone spiral staircase in the core of it.

Near the church is the shrine of the Holy Water Cave of Agiasma, where, according to oral history, Ayia Photini had lived and eventually buried. The cave, water well and the grave can be accessed through a narrow 23 steps of stairs into the catacomb. The grave has many interesting interior details, such as extension in the form of tunnels, including several surviving carved store recesses where candles and icons are placed.    

Main interventions for this site include:

• General cleaning of the site  
• Cleaning of surfaces and organic growth control  
• Stoneworks  
• Grouting, repointing and consolidation of masonry  
• Roof repair and insulation  
• Plasterworks  
• Waterproofing works  
• Belltower & womens’ gallery repair and consolidation  
• Internal floor maintenance  
• Timber elements conservation  
• Yard fencing and repair of existing walls  
• Special elements (Iconostasis, Altar, Niches and Memorial Plaques) consolidation  
• Intervention to the cave and the concrete structure above the cave

Find more photos of this site here.

The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. 

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