Travel Guide Tala

Famous for its Agios Neophytos monastery, set in a secluded valley surrounded by two small forests, Tala is a pretty village. At least in its historic center, around the church of Agia Ekaterini, built in the 15th and 16th centuries. In summer, the population doubles with families from the UK, Russia, Norway and the Gulf States. It's the British presence that makes itself felt here, with a soccer and rugby pitch, and cat lovers who have opened the amazing Tala Cats shelter. Local celebrities include, of course, Saint Neophytus the Recluse (1134-1214), the most revered figure in Cyprus, a great witness to the Crusader era and founder of the prestigious Tala monastery. Another Orthodox figure, Irodotos Dimitriou, was born here in 1941. Better known as Chrysostomos II, he was primate of the Church of Cyprus from 2006 until his death in 2022. Tala is also the birthplace of the father of British folk singer Cat Stevens, born in London in 1948, who converted to Islam under the name of Yusuf Islam and wrote the song Lady D'Arbanville in 1970.