Tomb of Makarios III in Troodos mountains

The Tomb of Archbishop Makarios III is located on mount Troni, which rises above the Kykkos monastery. Makarios was the country`s spiritual leader and most respected politician after independence in 1960. 

The height of the mountain of Throni is 1318 meters. Kykkos monastery is located on the slope of this mountain at an altitude of 1140. After visiting the monastery, you should go up the road. Near the Parking you will see a large monument to Makarios III. Then follow the path to climb to his Tomb, which is located on the very top of the mountain. 

The future state leader of Cyprus was born on August 13, 1913 in the village of Panagia, near Paphos. His name was then Michael Christodoulou Muskus. In 1926, he became a novice at the Kykkos monastery at the age of 13. Then he was sent to study at the University of Athens. In 1938, he was ordained a deacon, and received the spiritual name Makarios III Kykkotis. In 1948, he became a Bishop, and at this time the struggle with the British for the liberation of Cyprus from colonial dependence began. Makarios became one of the most active participants in this struggle. 

In 1959, Great Britain granted Cyprus independence. After the election, Makarios III became the first President of Cyprus. Then he was re-elected to this post more than once. There were coups in the country, a war with Turkey and the division of Cyprus, attempts on Makarios, but he remained the spiritual leader of the Cypriot nation. He had both secular and spiritual power in the country. In 1977, Archbishop Makarios III died. It is believed that most of the inhabitants of the country came to farewell to his coffin, and when he was carried from Nicosia to the Kykkos monastery, people stood in a continuous chain all the way. 

A chapel was built on the top of mount Troni over the Tomb of Makarios III. An alley with icons on the sides leads to it. The path that you will follow from the Parking to the Tomb of Makarios III runs along the side of the mountain. It offers very beautiful views of the surrounding Troodos mountain range. Here you will see the Cyprus mountains in all their splendor. It also offers perhaps the most beautiful view of mount Olympus, the highest peak in Cyprus (1952 m).