For travelers interested in Byzantine church art, Kellia offers two distinct points of interest: the Church of Agios Antonios and the site of Panagia Eleousa. The village is also included in two thematic routes. This means Kellia can be explored in the context of both a religious route and a route focused on Byzantine art. Which of these perspectives matters most to you can help determine the cultural focus of your visit.

Agios Antonios: Wall Paintings from Three Centuries

The Church of Agios Antonios in Kellia is considered one of the most important Byzantine churches in Cyprus. Its notable features include significant wall paintings from the 9th, 11th, and 13th centuries. The church itself may date from the 9th century. These are two distinct chronological details: the possible date of the church building and the three centuries to which the wall paintings are attributed. Visitors who explore sacred art through its historical context will find more than one point of reference here. The paintings provide a specific point of interest; the possible date of the building should be considered separately.

Kellia on Two Thematic Routes

Kellia is a stop on the religious route “Cyprus the island of Saints (East)” and the eastern route “The Byzantine Art in Cyprus.” The titles emphasize different themes: one names a religious route, while the other is a route focused on Byzantine art. If you want to plan your trip around a broader theme, this distinction can help you choose. Check the route details before your trip, before including this stop in a specific itinerary.

Panagia Eleousa: Small Churches and a Green Site

At the site of Panagia Eleousa, the small churches were built from local materials and individually decorated. This offers two specific points of interest side by side: the materials used and the distinctive design of each church. In contrast to the Church of Agios Antonios, whose significance is also evident in its wall paintings and their dating, Panagia Eleousa draws attention to the construction and decoration of its small churches. The site is landscaped and is home to free-roaming and domesticated animals; their presence may vary. The landscaped grounds and the animals are therefore also among the site’s features, alongside the churches.

Plan Your Visit in Advance

A prior arrangement with the church administrator is required to visit the Church of Agios Antonios. Make arrangements directly with him before your visit, and take this requirement into account if you plan to include the church as a fixed stop on your itinerary. Visitors are welcome at Panagia Eleousa. Check current access arrangements before your visit.

The two sites can be distinguished by their cultural highlights: at Agios Antonios, the focus is on the significant wall paintings and their historical context; at Panagia Eleousa, it is on the local building materials, individual decoration, and landscaped grounds. Choose based on which of these aspects interests you most, and take the respective visiting requirements into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Xylofagou, Avdellero, Tersefanou, Kalo Chorio, Pervolia, Skarinou, Kiti, Aradippou

For the broader travel overview: Larnaca.