Church of Stavros tou Agiasmati is located a few kilometers from the village of Agros Platonistasa and close to Nicosia.

In 1453 on this place the Orthodox Greeks who fled from Constantinople after it was captured Turkish troops and founded a small monastery, and they called him in the name of the Holy Cross. A little later, at the end of the XV century, there was built a monastery and church. It was a very small building quadrangular with a slate roof and a few niches in the form of the arches in the side walls. In 1494, the renowned local artist Philippe Gul decorated the interior walls of the temple beautiful paintings, using several styles, including Byzantine and Italian. In addition to the walls were covered with frescoes also wooden beams supporting the roof of the building.

The painting depicts a scene from the New Testament, as well as the faces of Orthodox saints. Though figures to have survived quite well, unfortunately, many people scratched eye. According to legend, the temple made a mockery of a Turkish soldier, who later paid dearly for his trick - he soon lost his sight and died tragically.

Around the XVIII century, during the reign of the Turks on the island, the monastery gradually left its inhabitants. It survived only church that already during the time of the independence of Cyprus was restored. After that, UNESCO included Stavros tou Agiasmati a World Heritage Site.

The church is far enough in the mountains, so hard to get to it. In addition, to get inside the building, on the visit it is desirable to agree in advance.