| Years and years ago there was a hunter, a king of his own domain, who used to visit the forest of Ayia Napa with his hunting party. He came across a cave and on entering found an icon of Saint Panaya (Mary mother of Christ). On making this discovery, he made the cave into a church and built a small church on top of the caves.
20 years ago Ayia Napa was a small fishing village with a population of 200. The name of Ayia Napa comes from Saint Panaya (Mary mother of Christ). A small church in the centre of the village was named after our Mother Mary. The cave is still there and to visit is a must. |