Panagia tou Sinti Monastery

The Panagia tou Sinti Monastery, near the village of Pentalia in the Paphos district, is a significant historical and religious landmark. This 16th-century monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is a prime example of Byzantine architecture and reflects the cultural heritage of the period.

Abandoned, then brought back

Although once a thriving centre of monastic life, Panagia tou Sinti faced long periods of abandonment and neglect. By the 20th century it had fallen into disrepair, with only remnants of its former grandeur remaining — and the tranquil setting in the lush valley of the Xeros river only added to the sense of serene desolation.

In 1993, recognising the monastery’s historical and cultural value, the Monastery of Kykkos began a comprehensive restoration. The work was completed in 1997, with careful attention to detail so that the building’s historical integrity was kept intact.

What to look for

The architecture uses the vocabulary of the Byzantine tradition — stone construction and a central dome. The katholikon, or main church, is adorned with frescoes and icons and shows the artistry of the late Byzantine period. Visitors can walk the historical structures, look at the restored frescoes and icons, and sit in the quiet that has characterised the site for centuries.

Despite its long abandonment, Panagia tou Sinti now stands as a working piece of the island’s religious and cultural legacy, near Pentalia, and one of the more rewarding detours in the Paphos hinterland.