Romantic church on the cliff - Agioi Anargyroi in Cyprus

Romantic church on the cliff - Agioi Anargyroi in Cyprus

Agioi Anargyroi Church (or, maybe, more accurately, a chapel, but who knows - everyone calls it differently) is a charming piece of architecture. Though built just 80 years ago, it retains the traditional Mediterranean style—white and blue colors with gentle curves that blend seamlessly into the landscape instead of disrupting it. The chapel was constructed here because of the unique caves under. Legend says Saints Anargyroi (Cosmas and Damian), Arab healers from the 3rd century, practiced medicine and performed surgeries here for free. Even though today it's impossible anymore to fix your nose or even heal pneumonia here, the sea cave and a chapel are still working. It hosts celebrations like baptisms, local festivals (like 1st of July), and—most importantly—weddings. Sunrises and sunsets here, far from any town, are breathtaking. The sound of waves, the fresh Mediterranean breeze, and the chapel’s blue-and-white design create a romantic, magical atmosphere.

_{Icons inside of the church}

Inside, the chapel follows Orthodox traditions with wooden decor and icons. Another local story is right about one of them: Shortly after the chapel was built, its icon of the saints disappeared. A few days later, a fisherman who stopped by to pray, was so thrilled discovering the chapel does not have any icon, that he offered to donate one he’d found in the sea—it turned out to be the exact missing icon. Not a Pulitzer-worthy story, but it matters to locals, so I’ve decided to include it :)

While the icons are lovely, my attention was directed more to the play of sunlight and landscape. I took photos through half-open doors and windows, thinking at that moment, that I'm such a creative genius... I was not original at all. Spend a few minutes there and you’ll notice every wedding photographer uses the same angles I thought were just mine :)

_{Playing with the windows and doors while making photos - with the landscape and as the posing background}

After exploring the chapel, head to the coast to find stairs going down the cliff. They lead to small sea caves, great for relaxing, swimming or even jumping into deep (9 meters!) water. Snorkeling and diving are great here, but cliff-jumping? I wouldn't recommend it. My young friend recently got hospitalized after jumping elsewhere—so be cautious.

While swimming, watch out for nature, not people (you can safely leave your wallet on the rocks). The rocks are sharp, and a type of algae here can make your skin itchy. It ends in a couple hours, but better to avoid it. Crystal-clear water, fewer crowds than nearby beaches, and maybe even a sea turtle make the risk of itchiness worth it.

_{left - stairs on the cliff that leads to the cave, right - inside the cave with my mother who came with the visit}

Practical info: The chapel and caves are free, open 24/7, with no fences, so you can enter anytime you want. A daytime food truck sells drinks, snacks, and ice cream (double town prices, but worth it in 40°C heat!), and it's difficult to say in what hours it's in there, as it depends on the mood of the owner. There’s also a picnic area, parking, and a portable toilet.

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_{Top: view for the sea, left: me and @diegocelma enjoying the trip, right: people jumping from the cliff, bottom: last look at the church}

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If you don't have a car, you can use public transport to walk a bit less. From Ayia Napa, take bus 101 to Konnos Beach (€1.50, around 14 STEEM at this point), then walk 1.5 km through scenic trails. This budget-friendly, hidden gem is a must-visit in Cyprus. If you go, share your thoughts in a comment—I’d love to hear them!

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