Discover Mesa Geitonia

In Mesa Geitonia, you’ll find the Church of Apostolos Andreas; the medieval cistern and closely spaced houses complete the picture of the area. The church is a three-aisled cross-in-square basilica with a central dome. There is also the presumed history of an ancient settlement.

Church Architecture and Interior

The Church of Apostolos Andreas was built from 1953 to 1956 and completely renovated in 2001. It is a three-aisled cross-in-square basilica with a central dome. Each of the three main entrances has a covered porch with round columns and arches. The architecture thus encompasses both the overall form and specific details at the entrances. The three-aisled design describes the division of the church interior into three aisles; the dome is a central feature of the building’s design. The porch, columns, and arches are repeated at each entrance. This allows the basic form and the consistently designed entrance areas to be considered as distinct aspects of the architecture.

Inside, a carved wooden iconostasis separates the altar area from the rest of the church. The paintings are arranged in different areas: the Platytera and, below it, the Hierarchs are depicted in the apse of the altar area; the Pantocrator is in the dome. The vault of the central nave shows scenes from the life of Christ. The motifs are thus distributed across the apse, dome, and central nave vault, while the iconostasis marks the boundary of the altar area. Those interested in church architecture will find a description here not only of the exterior design but also of the interior layout and its painted motifs.

History and Townscape

It is believed that the ancient settlement in the area was founded during the Byzantine period (330–1191 AD). This founding date remains an assumption and is not assigned to a specific year. Earthquakes, wars, and Arab raids left few remains; the medieval cistern is considered the sole exception. It is a landmark of Mesa Geitonia and has stood for centuries as a symbol of water and life. The cistern thus connects the area’s history with its significance for the townscape.

Mesa Geitonia also has a traditional village square. The houses stand close together; some are surrounded by high walls with double-leaf gates. Doors and windows open only onto courtyards. This reveals two scales of the townscape: the close spacing of the buildings and the inward-facing orientation of the openings in individual houses. The village square is another specifically named point of reference in the area. The church and houses convey different aspects of the place: on one hand, a single religious building with a described architectural layout; on the other, the dense sequence of houses and their orientation toward courtyards.

When choosing your destination, you can consider which of these features interests you most: church architecture and paintings, the historical significance of the cistern, or the design of the houses. If you’re looking for hotels, these features can help you decide whether Mesa Geitonia’s historic and architectural character suits the purpose of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Pachna, Moutayiaka, Ayios Therapon, Kellaki, Vasa, Pareklisia, Sykopetra, Ayios Yeoryios.

For the broader travel overview: Limassol.