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Coordinates: 34°55′N 32°50′E / 34.917°N 32.833°E / 34.917; 32.833
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{{Short description|Mountain range in Cyprus}}
{{Short description|Mountain range in Cyprus}}
{{For|the small theropod|Troodon}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox mountain
{{Infobox mountain
<!-- *** Name section *** -->
<!-- *** Name section *** -->
| name = Troodos
| name = Troodos
| native_name = {{native name|el|Τρόοδος}}<br/>{{native name|tr|Trodos Dağları}}
| native_name = {{native name list |tag1=el|name1=Τρόοδος |tag2=tr|name2=Trodos Dağları}}
| other_name =
| other_name = Troödos
<!-- *** Image *** -->
<!-- *** Image *** -->
| photo = File:Chionistra winter 1.JPG
| photo = File:Chionistra winter 1.JPG
Line 28: Line 30:
| highest = [[Mount Olympus (Cyprus)|Mount Olympus]]
| highest = [[Mount Olympus (Cyprus)|Mount Olympus]]
| highest_location =
| highest_location =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_m = 1952
| coordinates =
| coordinates = {{Coord|34|55|N|32|50|E|region:CY_type:mountain|display=title,inline}}
| map =
| map =
| map_size =
| map_size =
Line 35: Line 37:
}}
}}


'''Troodos''' (sometimes spelled Troödos; {{lang-el|Τρόοδος}} {{IPA-el|ˈtɾo.oðos|}}; {{lang-tr|Trodos Dağları}}) is the largest [[mountain range]] in [[Cyprus]], located in roughly the center of the island. Its highest peak is [[Mount Olympus (Cyprus)|Mount Olympus]] ({{lang-el|Όλυμπος}}), also known as Chionistra ({{lang-el|Χιονίστρα}}), at {{convert|1952|m}}, which hosts the Sun Valley and North Face ski areas with their five ski lifts.
'''Troodos''' or '''Trodos'''{{efn|{{langx|el|Τρόοδος}} {{IPA-el|ˈtɾo.oðos|}}; {{langx|tr|Trodos Dağları}} {{IPA|tr|'tɾo.dos||link=yes}})}} is the largest [[mountain range]] in [[Cyprus]], located in roughly the center of the island. Its highest peak is [[Mount Olympus (Cyprus)|Mount Olympus]]{{snd}}also known in Greek as {{lang|el|Χιονίστρα}}{{snd}}at {{convert|1952|m}}.<ref name="sumpo">{{cite web |last=Haub |first=Gangolf |title=Olympos (Chionistra) |url=https://www.summitpost.org/olympos-chionistra/150803 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=SummitPost}}</ref>


The Troodos mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus. There are many [[mountain resort]]s, Byzantine monasteries, and churches on mountain peaks, and nestling in its valleys and mountains are villages clinging to terraced hills. The area has been known since [[history of Cyprus|antiquity]] for its mines, which for centuries supplied [[copper]] to the entire Mediterranean. In the Byzantine period it became a centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.eltoma-property.com/troodos-mountains-cyprus-travel-series/ |title=Cyprus Travel Series: Troodos Mountains |date=2017-11-23 |work=Expand Your Property World |access-date=2018-02-16 }}</ref> were built in the mountains, away from the threatened coastline. The mountains are also home to [[RAF Troodos]], a [[listening station|listening post]] for the [[National Security Agency|NSA]] and [[Government Communications Headquarters|GCHQ]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://theintercept.com/2016/01/28/israeli-drone-feeds-hacked-by-british-and-american-intelligence/ |title=Spies in the sky |author1=Cora Currier |author2=Henrik Moltke |work=[[The Intercept]] |date=January 29, 2016 }}</ref>
Covering a third of Cyprus's area,<ref name="cypal">{{cite web |title=Troodos Mountains - Mount Olympus |url=https://www.cyprusalive.com/en/location/troodos-mountains-mount-olympus |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Cyprus Alive}}</ref> the Troodos mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus. The mountains form a significant [[rainshadow]] on the island.<ref name="ring">{{cite journal|last1=Ring|first1=Uwe|last2=Pantazides|first2=Hermes|volume=38|issue=8|date=August 2019|pages=3124--3139|title=The Uplift of the Troodos Massif, Cyprus|journal=Tectonics|doi=10.1029/2019TC005514|url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019TC005514|access-date=2025-01-08}}</ref> There are many [[mountain resort]]s, Byzantine monasteries, and churches on mountain peaks, and, nestling in its valleys and mountains, villages which cling to terraced hills. The area has been known since [[history of Cyprus#Ancient Cyprus|antiquity]] for its mines, which for centuries supplied [[copper mining|copper]] to the entire Mediterranean. In the Byzantine period it became a centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.eltoma-property.com/troodos-mountains-cyprus-travel-series/ |title=Cyprus Travel Series: Troodos Mountains |date=2017-11-23 |work=Expand Your Property World |access-date=2018-02-16 }}</ref> were built in the mountains, away from the threatened coastline.


The mountains are home to [[RAF Troodos]], a [[listening station|listening post]] for both the American [[National Security Agency]] and the British [[Government Communications Headquarters|GCHQ]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://theintercept.com/2016/01/28/israeli-drone-feeds-hacked-by-british-and-american-intelligence/ |title=Spies in the sky |author1=Cora Currier |author2=Henrik Moltke |work=[[The Intercept]] |date=January 29, 2016 }}</ref>
⚫
The name ''Troodos'' probably comes from one of two sources: either {{wikt-lang|grc|τρία}} + {{wikt-lang|grc|ὁδός}} ({{lang|grc-Latn|tría}} + {{lang|Grc-Latn|hodós}}), referring to the three roads that lead to the mountain, or {{wikt-lang|grc|τό}} + {{wikt-lang|grc|ὄρος}} + {{wikt-lang|grc|Ἄδωνις|Ἄδος}} ({{lang|grc-Latn|to}} + {{lang|grc-Latn|oro}} + {{lang|grc-Latn|Ados}}), meaning the mountains of [[Adonis]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.justaboutcyprus.com/troodos_cyprus.html |title=Places to visit - Troodos Cyprus |website=www.justaboutcyprus.com |access-date=2017-09-18 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cyprusalive.com/en/snowy-mountains-of-troodos |title=Snowy Mountains of Troodos - December at Olympos - Chionistra |website=www.cyprusalive.com |access-date=2017-09-18 }}</ref>


⚫
The name ''Troodos'' probably comes from one of two sources: either {{wikt-lang|grc|τρία}} + {{wikt-lang|grc|ὁδός}} ({{lang|grc-Latn|tría}} + {{lang|Grc-Latn|hodós}}), referring to the three roads that lead to the mountain, or {{wikt-lang|grc|τό}} + {{wikt-lang|grc|ὄρος}} + {{wikt-lang|grc|Ἄδωνις|Ἄδος}} ({{lang|grc-Latn|to}} + {{lang|grc-Latn|oro}} + {{lang|grc-Latn|Ados}}), meaning the mountains of [[Adonis]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.justaboutcyprus.com/troodos_cyprus.html |title=Places to visit - Troodos Cyprus |website=www.justaboutcyprus.com |access-date=2017-09-18 |archive-date=2017-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216173137/http://www.justaboutcyprus.com/troodos_cyprus.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cyprusalive.com/en/snowy-mountains-of-troodos |title=Snowy Mountains of Troodos - December at Olympos - Chionistra |website=www.cyprusalive.com |access-date=2017-09-18 }}</ref>
⚫
==Geology of Troodos==

⚫
[[File:On Trooidos (1900) - TIMEA.jpg|thumb|left|Picture of a campsite in Troodos in 1900]]
It has many endemic [[flora|plants]] and [[fauna|animals]],<ref name="cypal"/> including the endemic [[Cedrus libani var. brevifolia|Cyprus cedar]].<ref name="osu">{{cite web |last=Breen |first=Patrick |title=''Cedrus libani'' subsp. ''brevifolia'' |url=https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/cedrus-libani-subsp-brevifolia |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Landscape Plants |publisher=Oregon State University}}</ref>
[[File:Troodos9.jpg|thumb|Kalidonia river]]

⚫
The Troodos mountains are known worldwide for their geology and the presence of an undisturbed [[ophiolite]] sequence, the [[Troodos Ophiolite]]. These mountains slowly rose from the sea due to the collision of the African and European [[plate tectonics|tectonic plates]], a process that eventually formed the island of Cyprus. The slowing and near-cessation of this process left the rock formations nearly intact, while subsequent erosion uncovered the [[magma chamber]] underneath the mountain, allowing a viewing of intact rocks and petrified [[pillow lava]] formed millions of years ago, an excellent example of ophiolite stratigraphy. The observations of the Troodos ophiolite by [[Ian Graham Gass]] and co-workers was one of the key points that led to the theory of [[sea floor spreading]].
⚫
==Geology==
⚫
[[File:On Trooidos (1900) - TIMEA.jpg|thumb|A campsite in Troodos in 1900]]
⚫
The Troodos Mountains are known for the presence of an undisturbed [[ophiolite]] sequence, the [[Troodos Ophiolite]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Papanikolaou|first=Dimitrios I.|title=The Geology of Greece.|location=Cham, Switzerland|publisher=Springer|date=2021|page=12|ISBN=978-3-030-60730-2}}</ref> These mountains slowly rose from the sea due to the collision of the African and European [[plate tectonics|tectonic plates]], a process that eventually formed the island of Cyprus. The slowing and near-cessation of this process left the rock formations nearly intact, while subsequent erosion uncovered the [[magma chamber]] underneath the mountain, allowing a viewing of intact rocks and petrified [[pillow lava]] formed millions of years ago, an excellent example of ophiolite stratigraphy. The observations of the Troodos ophiolite by [[Ian Graham Gass]] and co-workers was one of the key points that led to the theory of [[sea floor spreading]]. A detailed descriptive geological survey of Troodos was published in 1959.<ref>Wilson, R.A.M. The Geology of the Xeros-Troodos Area: Geological Survey Department, cyprus, Memoir No. 1. Nicosia, Cyprus: Government of Cyprus, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1959, reprinted 1971.</ref> It predates the modern theory of [[plate tectonics]], but contains exhaustive descriptions of rocks and structures.


==Climate==
==Climate==
Like the rest of Cyprus, the climate is [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]] but with somewhat greater diurnal ranges in temperature than coastal locations.<ref name="cypal/> For example, at [[Prodromos (Cyprus)|Prodromos]], daily mean temperatures are around {{cvt|-8|C}} in January and {{cvt|22|C}} in July.<ref name="cypal/>

{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = [[Prodromos (Cyprus)|Prodromos]] in Troodos Mountains, elevation: 1380 m (<small>[http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Paralimni&params=34_57_0_N_32_50_0_E_region:CY_type:city Satellite view]</small>)
|location = [[Prodromos (Cyprus)|Prodromos]] in Troodos Mountains, elevation: 1380 m (<small>[http://toolserver.org/~geohack/geohack.php?pagename=Paralimni&params=34_57_0_N_32_50_0_E_region:CY_type:city Satellite view]</small>)
Line 63: Line 70:
| Nov avg record high C = 20.1
| Nov avg record high C = 20.1
| Dec avg record high C = 14.3
| Dec avg record high C = 14.3
| year avg record high C = 23.7
| year avg record high C = —
|Jan high C = 6.3
|Jan high C = 6.3
|Feb high C = 6.6
|Feb high C = 6.6
Line 115: Line 122:
| Nov avg record low C = 0.1
| Nov avg record low C = 0.1
| Dec avg record low C = -2.8
| Dec avg record low C = -2.8
| year avg record low C = 3.5
| year avg record low C = —
|Jan precipitation mm = 133.4
|Jan precipitation mm = 133.4
|Feb precipitation mm = 123.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 123.6
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|format=pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327022516/http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/MS/MS.nsf/All/8C2B246F18AC1E07C22576C80036B9DB/$file/Climatological%20Data_1991_2005_Prodromos_UK.pdf?Openelement |archive-date=2016-03-27 |access-date=2017-06-29}}</ref>
|format=pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327022516/http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/MS/MS.nsf/All/8C2B246F18AC1E07C22576C80036B9DB/$file/Climatological%20Data_1991_2005_Prodromos_UK.pdf?Openelement |archive-date=2016-03-27 |access-date=2017-06-29}}</ref>
|date=June 2017}}
|date=June 2017}}

==Flora and fauna==
The most ubiquitous trees in the Troodos mountains are the [[Pinus brutia|Turkish pine]] (''Pinus brutia'') and the [[Quercus alnifolia|golden oak]] (''Quercus alnifolia'').<ref name="cypal"/> Some plants of the ''[[Olea]]'', ''[[Rhus]]'' and ''[[Rose|Rosa]]'' [[genus|genera]] populate the mountains, in particular ''[[Crataegus azarolus]]'', ''[[Crataegus monogyna]]'', ''[[Rhus coriaria]]'' and ''[[Rosa canina]]''.<ref name="cypal"/>

[[File:Cedrus libani brevifolia1.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Photo of an endemic tree of the Troodos Mountains|''C. libani'' subsp. ''brevifolia'' at {{cvt|1700|m}} altitude]]

At higher altitudes, [[Pinus nigra#Taxonomy|Anatolian black pine]]-dominated forests (''Pinus nigra'' ssp. ''Pallasiana'') grow,<ref name="cypal"/> with several ''Juniperus'' species (''[[Juniperus excelsa|J. excelsa]]'', ''[[Juniperus foetidissima|J. foetidissima]]'' and ''[[Juniperus oxycedrus|J. oxycedrus]]''). The [[sorbus aria|common whitebeam]] (''Sorbus aria'') also grows, along with the endemic shrubs ''[[Rosa chionistrae]]''<ref name="kew">{{cite web |title=''Rosa chionistrae H.Lindb.'' |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:732030-1 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew}}
</ref> and ''[[Berberis cretica]]''.<ref name="cypal"/> The [[Cedrus libani var. brevifolia|Cyprus cedar]] (''Cedrus libani'' subsp. ''brevifolia'') is seen at the highest peaks.<ref name="cypal"/>

Chief among the fauna is the endangered [[Cyprus mouflon]] (''Ovis gmelini ophion'').<ref name="cypal"/> The venemous [[Macrovipera lebetinus#Subspecies|Cypriot blunt-nosed viper]] (''Macrovipera lebentinus lebentinus'') is present in the mountains,<ref name="cypal"/> as well as a bird population including the [[common raven]] (''Corvus corax''), [[Bonelli's eagle]] (''Hieraaetus fasciatus''), [[Red crossbill]] (''Loxia curvirostra'') and the [[Eurasian griffon vulture]] (''Gyps fulvus'').<ref name="cypal"/>


==Churches==
==Churches==
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</gallery>
</gallery>


==Selected villages==<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
==Villages of Troodos (selection)==
[[File:Omodos street 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Omodos]]]]
[[File:Omodos street 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Omodos]]]]
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Platres]]
* [[Agros, Cyprus|Agros]]
* [[Galata village|Galata]]
* [[Agios Epifanios Oreinis]]
⚫
* [[Arsos, Limassol|Arsos]]
⚫
* [[Dora, Cyprus|Dora]]
* [[Evrychou]]
* [[Evrychou]]
⚫
* [[Farmakas]]
⚫
* [[Fikardou]]
⚫
* [[Galata village|Galata]]
* [[Kakopetria]]
* [[Kakopetria]]
⚫
* [[Kalopanagiotis]]
⚫
* [[Koilani]]
⚫
* [[Kouka, Cyprus|Kouka]]
⚫
* [[Kourdali]]
⚫
* [[Kyperounta]]
* [[Lania village|Lania]]
* [[Louvaras]]
* [[Louvaras]]
* [[Palaichori Oreinis]]
* [[Malia, Cyprus|Malia]]
* [[Kourdali]]
* [[Marathassa Valley]]
⚫
* [[Pelendri]]
⚫
* [[Kalopanagiotis]]
* [[Moutoullas]]
* [[Moutoullas]]
* [[Omodos]]
* [[Pachna]]
* [[Pachna]]
* [[Dora, Cyprus|Dora]]
* [[Palaichori Oreinis]]
⚫
* [[Malia, Cyprus|Malia]]
⚫
* [[Kyperounta]]
⚫
* [[Farmakas]]
⚫
* [[Prastio (Avdimou)|Prastio]]
⚫
* [[Arsos, Limassol|Arsos]]
* [[Pedoulas]]
* [[Pedoulas]]
* [[Omodos]]
* [[Pelendri]]
* [[Phini]]
* [[Phini]]
* [[Kouka, Cyprus|Kouka]]
* [[Platres]]
⚫
* [[Prastio (Avdimou)|Prastio]]
⚫
* [[Fikardou]]
⚫
* [[Koilani]]
⚫
* [[Agros, Cyprus|Agros]]
* [[Prodromos (Cyprus)|Prodromos]]
* [[Prodromos (Cyprus)|Prodromos]]
* [[Marathassa Valley]]
⚫
* [[Vasa Koilaniou]]
⚫
* [[Lania village|Lania]]
* [[Spilia, Cyprus|Spilia]]
* [[Spilia, Cyprus|Spilia]]
⚫
* [[Vasa Koilaniou]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Cedrus libani brevifolia1.jpg|Young tree in Winter
File:Troodos Mountains (Cyprus).jpg|Troodos Mountains
File:Troodos Mountains (Cyprus).jpg|Troodos Mountains
File:Lazanias.JPG|Lazanias village
File:Lazanias.JPG|Lazanias village
File:Pinus nigra Troodos.jpg|Troodos has many of the oldest trees in the world
File:Pinus nigra Troodos.jpg|Troodos [[Pinus nigra|black pines]] are 3,000 years old
File:Cedars Tripylos.JPG|Forests in Troodos Mountains
File:Cedars Tripylos.JPG|Forests in Troodos Mountains
File:Pinus brutia forest Cyprus.jpg|''[[Pinus brutia]]'', foothills of Troodos Mountains
File:Pinus brutia forest Cyprus.jpg|''[[Pinus brutia]]'', foothills of Troodos Mountains
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File:Millomeris Waterfall - Καταρράκτης του Μιλλομέρη.JPG|Millomeris Waterfall, Platres
File:Millomeris Waterfall - Καταρράκτης του Μιλλομέρη.JPG|Millomeris Waterfall, Platres
File:Milia Bridge - Γεφύρι της Μηλιάς.JPG|Milia Bridge, Platres
File:Milia Bridge - Γεφύρι της Μηλιάς.JPG|Milia Bridge, Platres
File:TzielefosBridgeCyprusMar152023 02.jpg|Tzielefos bridge
File:StatueArchbishopMakariosIIINikosKotziamanisMar162023 04.jpg|The statue of [[Archbishop]] [[Makarios III]] near the [[Kykkos Monastery]]
File:OmodosMar152023 02.jpg|[[Omodos]]
File:Kalidonia Waterfall.JPG|Kalidonia Waterfall, Platres
File:Kalidonia Waterfall.JPG|Kalidonia Waterfall, Platres
File:Troodos Mountains 2.JPG|Part of Troodos Mountains
File:Troodos Mountains 2.JPG|Part of Troodos Mountains
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File:Prodromos in Winter.jpg|Prodromos in winter
File:Prodromos in Winter.jpg|Prodromos in winter
File:Road through the woods (15425086000).jpg|Road through the forest
File:Road through the woods (15425086000).jpg|Road through the forest
File:Troodos Mountains 1957.jpg|Troodos Mountains in 1957
</gallery>
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Geography of Cyprus]]
* [[Geography of Cyprus]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons}}
* [http://www.mytroodos.com Official Website of Troodos Region, by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation]
* [http://www.mytroodos.com Official Website of Troodos Region, by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation]
* [http://www.islandofcyprus.net/troodos_museums.htm Troodos (General Area) Museums]
* [http://www.islandofcyprus.net/troodos_museums.htm Troodos (General Area) Museums]
* [http://www.360travelguide.com/360VirtualTour.asp?iCode=cyp17 Panoramic virtual tour of the Troodos Mountains]
* [http://www.360travelguide.com/360VirtualTour.asp?iCode=cyp17 Panoramic virtual tour of the Troodos Mountains] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603053124/http://www.360travelguide.com/360VirtualTour.asp?iCode=cyp17 |date=2009-06-03 }}
* [http://www.kypros.org/Cyprus/troodos.html Kypros Net article on Troodos]
* [http://www.kypros.org/Cyprus/troodos.html Kypros Net article on Troodos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140914212445/http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/eden/themes-destinations/countries/cyprus/troodos/index_en.htm Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2007]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140914212445/http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/eden/themes-destinations/countries/cyprus/troodos/index_en.htm Awarded "EDEN – European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2007]


{{Coord|34|55|N|32|50|E|region:CY_type:mountain|display=title}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Mountain ranges of Cyprus]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Cyprus]]
[[Category:Troodos Mountains]]
[[Category:Troodos Mountains]]
[[Category:Mountains associated with Byzantine monasticism]]
[[Category:Adonis]]

Latest revision as of 18:01, 9 January 2025

For the small theropod, see Troodon.

Troodos
Troödos
Trees of Mount Olympus
Highest point
PeakMount Olympus
Elevation1,952 m (6,404 ft)
Coordinates34°55′N 32°50′E / 34.917°N 32.833°E / 34.917; 32.833
Naming
Native name
Geography
Map
CountryCyprus

Troodos or Trodos[a] is the largest mountain range in Cyprus, located in roughly the center of the island. Its highest peak is Mount Olympus – also known in Greek as Χιονίστρα – at 1,952 metres (6,404 ft).[1]

Covering a third of Cyprus's area,[2] the Troodos mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus. The mountains form a significant rainshadow on the island.[3] There are many mountain resorts, Byzantine monasteries, and churches on mountain peaks, and, nestling in its valleys and mountains, villages which cling to terraced hills. The area has been known since antiquity for its mines, which for centuries supplied copper to the entire Mediterranean. In the Byzantine period it became a centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries[4] were built in the mountains, away from the threatened coastline.

The mountains are home to RAF Troodos, a listening post for both the American National Security Agency and the British GCHQ.[5]

The name Troodos probably comes from one of two sources: either τρία + ὁδός (tría + hodós), referring to the three roads that lead to the mountain, or τό + ὄρος + Ἄδος (to + oro + Ados), meaning the mountains of Adonis.[6][7]

It has many endemic plants and animals,[2] including the endemic Cyprus cedar.[8]

Geology

[edit]
A campsite in Troodos in 1900

The Troodos Mountains are known for the presence of an undisturbed ophiolite sequence, the Troodos Ophiolite.[9] These mountains slowly rose from the sea due to the collision of the African and European tectonic plates, a process that eventually formed the island of Cyprus. The slowing and near-cessation of this process left the rock formations nearly intact, while subsequent erosion uncovered the magma chamber underneath the mountain, allowing a viewing of intact rocks and petrified pillow lava formed millions of years ago, an excellent example of ophiolite stratigraphy. The observations of the Troodos ophiolite by Ian Graham Gass and co-workers was one of the key points that led to the theory of sea floor spreading. A detailed descriptive geological survey of Troodos was published in 1959.[10] It predates the modern theory of plate tectonics, but contains exhaustive descriptions of rocks and structures.

Climate

[edit]

Like the rest of Cyprus, the climate is Mediterranean but with somewhat greater diurnal ranges in temperature than coastal locations.[2] For example, at Prodromos, daily mean temperatures are around −8 °C (18 °F) in January and 22 °C (72 °F) in July.[2]

Climate data for Prodromos in Troodos Mountains, elevation: 1380 m (Satellite view)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean maximum °C (°F) 13.3
(55.9) 		13.9
(57.0) 		18.5
(65.3) 		24.7
(76.5) 		27.9
(82.2) 		30.6
(87.1) 		32.2
(90.0) 		32.2
(90.0) 		30.2
(86.4) 		26.6
(79.9) 		20.1
(68.2) 		14.3
(57.7) 		32.2
(90.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.3
(43.3) 		6.6
(43.9) 		10.3
(50.5) 		15.1
(59.2) 		20.5
(68.9) 		25.0
(77.0) 		28.1
(82.6) 		27.9
(82.2) 		24.4
(75.9) 		19.6
(67.3) 		12.8
(55.0) 		8.0
(46.4) 		17.1
(62.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.5
(38.3) 		3.5
(38.3) 		6.6
(43.9) 		10.7
(51.3) 		15.8
(60.4) 		20.1
(68.2) 		23.3
(73.9) 		23.1
(73.6) 		19.6
(67.3) 		15.4
(59.7) 		9.5
(49.1) 		5.3
(41.5) 		13.0
(55.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 0.7
(33.3) 		0.3
(32.5) 		2.8
(37.0) 		6.3
(43.3) 		11.1
(52.0) 		15.2
(59.4) 		18.4
(65.1) 		18.2
(64.8) 		14.9
(58.8) 		11.3
(52.3) 		6.2
(43.2) 		2.5
(36.5) 		9.0
(48.2)
Mean minimum °C (°F) −4.5
(23.9) 		−5.2
(22.6) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		0.5
(32.9) 		4.7
(40.5) 		9.2
(48.6) 		13.5
(56.3) 		14.0
(57.2) 		10.1
(50.2) 		5.4
(41.7) 		0.1
(32.2) 		−2.8
(27.0) 		−5.2
(22.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 133.4
(5.25) 		123.6
(4.87) 		82.3
(3.24) 		56.9
(2.24) 		26.0
(1.02) 		40.0
(1.57) 		12.1
(0.48) 		10.0
(0.39) 		9.5
(0.37) 		24.0
(0.94) 		102.5
(4.04) 		169.7
(6.68) 		790.1
(31.11)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 12.4 11.2 9.8 6.7 3.7 2.1 0.7 0.7 1.4 3.5 7.4 11.2 70.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours 130.2 150.8 195.3 231.0 275.9 315.0 328.6 310.0 255.0 220.1 165.0 136.4 2,713.3
Source: Meteorological Service (Cyprus)[11]

Flora and fauna

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The most ubiquitous trees in the Troodos mountains are the Turkish pine (Pinus brutia) and the golden oak (Quercus alnifolia).[2] Some plants of the Olea, Rhus and Rosa genera populate the mountains, in particular Crataegus azarolus, Crataegus monogyna, Rhus coriaria and Rosa canina.[2]

Photo of an endemic tree of the Troodos Mountains
C. libani subsp. brevifolia at 1,700 m (5,600 ft) altitude

At higher altitudes, Anatolian black pine-dominated forests (Pinus nigra ssp. Pallasiana) grow,[2] with several Juniperus species (J. excelsa, J. foetidissima and J. oxycedrus). The common whitebeam (Sorbus aria) also grows, along with the endemic shrubs Rosa chionistrae[12] and Berberis cretica.[2] The Cyprus cedar (Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia) is seen at the highest peaks.[2]

Chief among the fauna is the endangered Cyprus mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion).[2] The venemous Cypriot blunt-nosed viper (Macrovipera lebentinus lebentinus) is present in the mountains,[2] as well as a bird population including the common raven (Corvus corax), Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), Red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) and the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus).[2]

Churches

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Further information: Painted Churches in the Troödos Region
Chapel of the Saint Mary near Klirou village
Panagia Forviothissa in Asinou village

The region is known for its many Byzantine churches and monasteries, richly decorated with murals, of which the Kykkos monastery is the richest and most famous. Nine churches and one monastery in Troodos together form a World Heritage Site, originally inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1985. The nine Byzantine churches are:

  • Stavros tou Agiasmati
  • Panagia tou Araka
  • Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri
  • Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis
  • Panagia Podithou
  • Assinou
  • Agios Ioannis Lampadistis at Kalopanagiotis
  • Panagia tou Moutoula
  • Archangel Michael at Pedoulas
  • Transfiguration of the Saviour Palaichori
  • Church in spring
    Church in spring

Selected villages

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Omodos
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  • Troodos Mountains
    Troodos Mountains
  • Lazanias village
    Lazanias village
  • Troodos black pines are 3,000 years old
    Troodos black pines are 3,000 years old
  • Forests in Troodos Mountains
    Forests in Troodos Mountains
  • Pinus brutia, foothills of Troodos Mountains
    Pinus brutia, foothills of Troodos Mountains
  • River tributary in Troodos
    River tributary in Troodos
  • Parakentro is a non-profit cultural centre in Lemythou village
    Parakentro is a non-profit cultural centre in Lemythou village
  • Millomeris Waterfall, Platres
    Millomeris Waterfall, Platres
  • Milia Bridge, Platres
    Milia Bridge, Platres
  • Tzielefos bridge
    Tzielefos bridge
  • The statue of Archbishop Makarios III near the Kykkos Monastery
    The statue of Archbishop Makarios III near the Kykkos Monastery
  • Omodos
    Omodos
  • Kalidonia Waterfall, Platres
    Kalidonia Waterfall, Platres
  • Part of Troodos Mountains
    Part of Troodos Mountains
  • View of Farmakas region
    View of Farmakas region
  • Prodromos in winter
    Prodromos in winter
  • Road through the forest
    Road through the forest
  • Troodos Mountains in 1957
    Troodos Mountains in 1957

See also

[edit]

Notes

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  1. ^ Greek: Τρόοδος [ˈtɾo.oðos]; Turkish: Trodos Dağları ['tɾo.dos])

References

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  1. ^ Haub, Gangolf. "Olympos (Chionistra)". SummitPost. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Troodos Mountains - Mount Olympus". Cyprus Alive. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  3. ^ Ring, Uwe; Pantazides, Hermes (August 2019). "The Uplift of the Troodos Massif, Cyprus". Tectonics. 38 (8): 3124--3139. doi:10.1029/2019TC005514. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
  4. ^ "Cyprus Travel Series: Troodos Mountains". Expand Your Property World. 2017-11-23. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  5. ^ Cora Currier; Henrik Moltke (January 29, 2016). "Spies in the sky". The Intercept.
  6. ^ "Places to visit - Troodos Cyprus". www.justaboutcyprus.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  7. ^ "Snowy Mountains of Troodos - December at Olympos - Chionistra". www.cyprusalive.com. Retrieved 2017-09-18.
  8. ^ Breen, Patrick. "Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia". Landscape Plants. Oregon State University. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  9. ^ Papanikolaou, Dimitrios I. (2021). The Geology of Greece. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. p. 12. ISBN 978-3-030-60730-2.
  10. ^ Wilson, R.A.M. The Geology of the Xeros-Troodos Area: Geological Survey Department, cyprus, Memoir No. 1. Nicosia, Cyprus: Government of Cyprus, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1959, reprinted 1971.
  11. ^ "Climatological and Meteorological Reports - Prodromos - 1991 - 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (pdf) on 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
  12. ^ "Rosa chionistrae H.Lindb.". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
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