The Troodos Geopark, mountains born on the seabed

The Troodos have a geological story unlike that of almost any other European mountain range, and the geopark is the best way to grasp it. You don’t need to know any geology to enjoy it. To explain what it is and what you’ll see at its visitor centre, I use the Troodos Development Company’s material and the Nicosia Tourism Board’s opening times.

Mountains that were once seabed

The company sums it up with an image I like. The rocks of the Troodos Mountains formed more than 92 million years ago in the depths of the ocean and rose from the sea, like the goddess Aphrodite, to create the range and the island. That sequence of ocean-floor rock, called an ophiolite, is what makes the mountains a scientific reference and a place to study what happens in the deepest parts of the oceans.

The geopark covers 1,147 square kilometres and belongs to UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network. UNESCO’s own entry on the painted churches mentions it among the designations that overlap with them.

The visitor centre

The centre opened in 2015 in the old Amiantos primary school, restored and tucked into a corner of the abandoned asbestos mine. Before going in, take a moment in the entrance garden, which displays every type of rock you’ll come across in the mountains.

Inside are rock samples, a large scale model of the geological sites, mines and trails, touch screens and videos on how the island rose from the sea. Mining is covered too, from the abandoned asbestos and chrome mines to an ancient copper smelting furnace, all evidence of the island’s rich mining history. The shop sells souvenirs made from materials found in the mountains.

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Made for children as well

What wins me over is that it goes beyond panels. There’s a big artificial tree trunk where youngsters sit to watch a documentary on the geopark, and a seismology corner where anyone can trigger their own earthquake and watch the ground vibration recorded on a screen. For a family it’s a welcome stop on a rainy or misty day in the mountains.

Hours, price and visit

According to the Nicosia Tourism Board, the centre welcomes visitors Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 16:00, with entry at 3 euros, 2 euros for children and organised groups and 1 euro for school visits. Ticket income goes to the geopark’s activities, according to the company. I’d allow an hour to see it properly.

Close by, inside the same old mine, is the A. G. Leventis botanic garden, with around 150 plant species. It opens daily from 9:00 to 14:00 and until 16:00 at weekends, so mornings are best if you want to see both.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Troodos Geopark on GetYourGuide.

Fitting it in

The centre lies about 3.5 kilometres east of Troodos Square as the crow flies, so it’s easy to pair with a walk round Mount Olympus. I’d slot it in at the very beginning of the trip, because afterwards every rock on the path and every disused quarry tells you something you already know how to read.

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