Travel Guide Pelendri

Nestled between hills at an altitude of almost 900 m, this village is best known for its medieval church, Timios Stavros, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features remarkable frescoes dating from the 12th to 16th centuries, as well as a chapel built for the powerful Jean de Lusignan. Son of King Hugues IV, lord of the fief of Pelendri and regent of Cyprus, the prince was assassinated on the orders of his sister-in-law Eleanor of Aragon in 1375. Pelendri, formerly known as Polydendri ("many trees"), underwent major development in the 20th century with the large asbestos mine in the nearby village of Amiantos. Today, it's a popular summer resort with second homes and restaurants, but very little accommodation for tourists. In the village center, you can also visit the church of Panagia Katholiki, which houses a valuable collection of icons from the 12th to 19th centuries. Note that this is indeed a Greek Orthodox place of worship: the term katholiki/καθολική ("for all") here refers to a parish church.