Overview
Vavla may be a small village but it is particularly admired for its architecture and serene surroundings at the foothills of the Troodos Mountains.
There are plenty of interesting places to visit in the vicinity of the village, including the convent of Ayios Minas, which was established in the sixteenth century. While the monastery was once considered the crown jewel of the village, it was neglected over the years until in 1964, when it was restored by nuns from a nearby convent.
The building is a mixture of Byzantine and Gothic styles, with the pointed vaults of traverse ribs and side porticos, and comprises a church, cloisters and other monastic buildings. On the north and south walls, there are two large paintings of Ayios Georgios and Ayios Minas dated 1757.
Upon your visit, you can also indulge in getting a taste of the convent’s homemade produce, for aside their religious duties, the nuns practice icon painting, along with selling fruit and homemade preserves.
Aside the convent, Vavla is in close proximity to local wineries, nature trails and woodland walks, while wildlife enthusiasts will be fascinated by the local flora and fauna (see our blog on the endemic flowers of Cyprus).
Recently, Vavla was declared as a “preserved cultural history location” and many of its dilapidated houses have been restored with to their original state historical accuracy.
Today, one of the main occupations and crafts of our village is beekeeping . The village produces the honey “Vavla” which is perfumed with local thyme and wildflower flavours and is sold all over Cyprus.
Note: The operating hours of the convent from October to April are 09:30 – 11:30 / 14:00 – 16:00 (daily).
The convent is closed on Public Holidays while entrance to organised groups is not permitted on weekends. The entrance is free of charge and there is an entrance ramp available. Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.
