Troodos Mountains

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Troodos (Greek: Τρόοδος (IPA: [ˈtɾo̞o̞ðo̞s])) is the biggest mountain range of Cyprus, located in the center of the island. Troodos' highest peak is Mount Olympus at 1,952 metres.

The Troodos mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus. There are many famous mountain resorts, Byzantine monasteries and churches on mountain peaks, and nestling in its valleys and picturesque mountain villages clinging to terraced hill slopes. The area has been known since ancient times for its mines, and in the Byzantine period it became a great centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries were built in the mountains, away from the threatened coastline.

[edit] Geology of Troodos

Picture of a campsite in Troodos in 1900

Troodos mountains offer a very modern infrastructure

The Troodos mountain is known worldwide for its astounding geology and the presence of undisturbed specimens of ophiolite. Troodos slowly rose from the sea due to the collision of the African and European tectonic plates, a process that eventually formed the island of Cyprus. The slowing down and eventual almost stopping of this process left the rock formations near intact, while subsequent erosion uncovered the magma chamber underneath the mountain, allowing a viewing of intact rocks and petrified pillow lava formed millions of years in the past, an excellent example of ophiolite stratigraphy. The observations of the Troodos ophiolite by Ian Graham Gass and co-workers was one of the key points that led to the theory of sea floor spreading.

[edit] Climate

Climate data for Prodromos in Troodös Mountains, elevation: 1380 m (Satellite view)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	6.3 (43.3)	6.6 (43.9)	10.3 (50.5)	15.1 (59.2)	20.5 (68.9)	25.0 (77.0)	28.1 (82.6)	27.9 (82.2)	24.4 (75.9)	19.6 (67.3)	12.8 (55.0)	8.0 (46.4)	17.1 (62.8)
Daily mean °C (°F)	3.5 (38.3)	3.5 (38.3)	6.6 (43.9)	10.7 (51.3)	15.8 (60.4)	20.1 (68.2)	23.3 (73.9)	23.1 (73.6)	19.6 (67.3)	15.4 (59.7)	9.5 (49.1)	5.3 (41.5)	13.0 (55.4)
Average low °C (°F)	0.7 (33.3)	0.3 (32.5)	2.8 (37.0)	6.3 (43.3)	11.1 (52.0)	15.2 (59.4)	18.4 (65.1)	18.2 (64.8)	14.9 (58.8)	11.3 (52.3)	6.2 (43.2)	2.5 (36.5)	9.0 (48.2)
Precipitation mm (inches)	133.4 (5.252)	123.6 (4.866)	82.3 (3.24)	56.9 (2.24)	26.0 (1.024)	40.0 (1.575)	12.1 (0.476)	10.0 (0.394)	9.5 (0.374)	24.0 (0.945)	102.5 (4.035)	169.7 (6.681)	790.1 (31.106)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)	12.4	11.2	9.8	6.7	3.7	2.1	0.7	0.7	1.4	3.5	7.4	11.2	70.7
Sunshine hours	130.2	150.8	195.3	231.0	275.9	315.0	328.6	310.0	255.0	220.1	165.0	136.4	2,713.3
Source: Meteorological Service (Cyprus)^[1]

[edit] Tourism

Snowboarding in Troodos

Almond trees at Troodos mountain

Away from the beach areas tourists find charming traditional villages to explore many remain unspoiled by development or tourism. There are monasteries, beautiful churches and breathtaking scenery to enjoy. The Tourist Office supplies visitors with information and leaflets on recommended walks/trails in the area. The most well-known trail in this region is the Caledonia Falls; it follows a stream to an impressive waterfall. The Troodos Mountains in Cyprus are known for their snowy vistas and has a large number of accommodations from camping sites to 5 star hotels.

[edit] Churches

Further information: Painted Churches in the Troödos Region

The region is known for its many Byzantine churches and monasteries, richly decorated with murals, of which the Kykkos monastery is the richest and most famous. Nine churches and one monastery in Troodos together form a World Heritage Site, originally inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1985. The nine Byzantine churches are:

Stavros tou Ayiasmati
Panayia tou Araka
Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri
Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis
Panayia Podithou
Assinou
Ayios loannis Lampadistis
Panayia tou Moutoula
Archangel Michael at Pedhoulas

The area has been known since ancient times for its copper mines, and in the Byzantine period it became a great centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries were built in the mountains, away from the threatened coastline.

Interior View of Kykkos Monastery
Forviotissa asinou.jpg

The "Pantocrator" Fresco in Asinou Church, Troodos mountain range
Church in spring

[edit] Villages of Troodos (selection)

Omodos

[edit] Gallery

Winter in Troodos Mountains near Kakopetria
Winter in Troodos
Troodos ski.jpg

Skiing in Troodos in winter
January in Troodos
Young tree in Winter
Troodos Mountains
Kakopetria mylos.jpg

Kakopetria traditional architecture
Kakopetria.jpg

Kakopetria panorama
Lazanias village
Troodos has many of the oldest trees in the world
Forests in Troodos Mountains
Pinus brutia, foothills of Troodos Mountains
Troodos mountain range.jpg

Troodos mountain range view outside Evrychou in the District of Nicosia
River tributary in Troodos
Parakentro is a non-profit cultural centre in Lemythou village
Troodos mountains Cyprus.JPG

Lower part of Troodos mountains
Cliff jumping in Troodos lake near Platres village