Discover Peristerona

Peristerona is located about 32 kilometres west of Lefkosia (Nicosia), the capital of Cyprus. Specific landmarks in the village include the river of the same name, the Church of Saints Barnabas and Hilarion, the Turkish mosque standing right beside it, and a park with outdoor fitness equipment. For planning your trip, the village brings together its geographical location, sacred architecture, religious art and opportunities for outdoor exercise.

Riverside location and orientation

Peristerona lies near the western bank of the river of the same name, a tributary of the Serrakhis. Some of the Serrakhis’s tributaries also rise in Peristerona and Akaki. Its location about 32 kilometres west of Lefkosia (Nicosia) gives you a sense of its position relative to the capital; the riverbank and tributaries describe the village’s immediate geographical setting.

Another point of reference is the religious western route “Cyprus the island of Saints (West),” which passes through Peristerona. The village is a stop on this route. If you are organising destinations around religious cultural themes, this connection adds a thematic dimension to its geographical location.

Church, art and history

The present-day Church of Saints Barnabas and Hilarion has five domes and was built in the early 12th century. Remnants of 15th-century wall paintings have been preserved inside. The icons include depictions of Christ, the Apostle Paul, Saint Barnabas and the Mother of God. Another icon depicts Saints Barnabas and Hilarion and dates from the 16th century.

The construction date of the present-day church and the later dates of the artworks provide different points of reference. It is also useful to distinguish between the artworks: the wall paintings date from the 15th century, while the depiction of the two saints as an icon dates from the 16th century. This makes it possible to consider the building’s history and religious art as distinct aspects of a visit to the church.

Peristerona’s Turkish mosque stands directly beside the church. Before the Turkish invasion of 1974, the shared image of the church and mosque appeared on earlier banknotes and postage stamps. It served as a symbol of the peaceful coexistence of Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The historical reference here is the shared image of the two buildings; the wall paintings and icons, by contrast, are religious artworks inside the church.

Exercise in the park

Peristerona Park has outdoor fitness equipment for young people aged 14 and over and for adults. If you are including outdoor exercise in your travel plans, the age requirement is a specific factor to consider. The park therefore offers an activity focus distinct from the architectural and artistic interests surrounding the church. The condition of the equipment may change, so check it before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Dali, Prodromos, Nisou, Kato Pyrgos, Klirou, Aghia Marina, Spilia, Lythrodontas

For the broader travel overview: Nicosia.