SOTIRA VILLAGE

With a population of 1,500 people, Sotira has taken its name from a church, situated in the centre of the village which is dedicated to the transfiguration of Jesus Christ the Saviour (Sotira in Greek means saviour). The church displays excellent examples of post Komninian art (13th – 16th centuries), Near the east entrance of the village stands Ayios Mamas, which is initially built in the 12th century and later rebuilt in the 16th century. The present frescoes dated back also to the 16th century. About 16 miles to the west lays the cruciform of Panayia Khordajiotissa, which also is dated backs to the 15th century. Its dome has been restored. A third church bearing the name of St. George is found in the area, which is an early Christian three aisle Syrian-type basilica. In the city of Sotira there is also a small Ecclesiastical Museum worth visiting.