Author: Christos

Located in the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, 31 km away from the capital, the large, scenic village of Lythrodontas is reached by following the B1, and then the E103. The greatest concentration of olive trees on the island can be found here, and the village produces superior quality olive oil.

The village has existed since ancient times, and is believed to have taken its name from its founder ‘Erythrodontas’, which means ‘the person who has red teeth’ in Greek. It was a fief under Frankish and Venetian rules and is referred to as ‘Litrodondi’ on old maps.

Aside from admiring its beautiful landscape, visitors can also visit an old flour mill and olive mill, which have been restored, and provide a virtual reality tour of the old customs of the village.

Lythrodontas also has several interesting churches; the main church of Agios Therapontas, and the churches of Archangelos Michael, Agios Georgios and Panagia (Virgin Mary). Situated southwest of Lythrodontas is the old Monastery of Prophet Elias, which is today owned by the Monastery of Machairas.

Located in the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, 51 km from the city and just off of the B9, the village of Korakou lies in the beautiful Solea Valley region, to the north of the ancient mine of Skouriotissa.

References to Korakou date back to the Frankish period, and the village is believed to have taken its name either from an ancient king of the region, or its first inhabitant. It is also noted as ‘Coracu’, ‘Coraco’ and ‘Coraci’ on old maps.

The main crops of the village include fruit and olives, amongst others, whilst its forest land is dotted with wild pines. The area is also well known for its cultivation of aromatic, local herbs and the distillation of their essential oils.

Places of interest include the three water mills and two olive mills, with their old, traditional architecture. These structures offer evidence of the agricultural pastimes of the villagers in days past, as well as the way in which the abundant water of the village was utilised.

The village also has significant religious monuments, and its churches are particularly rich in icons and silver artifacts. Amongst them are the 18th century Panagia Eleoussa, the 1697 church of the Apostle Loucas – as indicated by an inscription above the north entry – and the 17th century church of Agios Mamas. 

Although located in the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, due to the Turkish invasion of 1974, the village of Kato Pyrgos is now only accessible via the Pafos (Paphos) region; reached by-following the A1 and the A6 motorways. After arriving at Pafos, take the B7, then the E704 to find the village in the heart of the beautiful area of Tylliria.

Built on the northern foothills of Troodos, the village uniquely combines coastal front with hillsides, and its surroundings of both beach and mountains – coupled with the fresh fish that comes from the fishing shelter of the village – make it a popular holiday resort.

The village is also home to the historic and significant Chapel of Panagia tis Galoktistis (Virgin Mary) which contains hagiographies dating back to the 12th and 14th centuries. Legend tells that the chapel was built with milk (‘Galoktistis’ in Greek) after the Virgin Mary answered the prayers of the villagers to heal their diseased sheep.

An old oak tree stands in the village square, dating back to 1898, and is over 20 metres high.In the nearby fields of the village, a variety of fruit is cultivated, and Pyrgos peaches are particularly famous. Kato Pyrgos is also known as one of the island’s main natural charcoal producers.

Located in the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, 56 km away from the capital, the small village of Katydata can be reached by following the B9 towards the mountainous region of the Solea Valley.

The village has two rivers passing through it –  Karkotis and Setrahos – which give it its name, derived from the words ‘kato’ (under) and ‘ydor’ (water). It has maintained this name through the centuries and was referred to as ‘Cattidata’ in Medieval times.

Its main church is dedicated to Agios Ioannis Theologos, and was built in 1870, on top of the relics of an older church.

The nearby Skouriotissa copper mine has been exploited since antiquity and was – and still is – the biggest on the island. It is the only active mine in Cyprus today, and still produces copper cathodes. Nearby, there is also an interesting mine museum that showcases the mining activity of the area.

Located in the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, just 36 km from the capital, the small mountainous village of Gourri sits at the foothills of the Machairas mountain forest – in the Pitsilia area – and can be reached by following the E903 and then the E904.

There are various versions of how the village was founded and named. One tells that it was established around 800 AD, taking its name from the Kourries clan who were in control of the east side of the mountain, whilst another believes it comes from the Frankish feudal lord, Jacob de Gourr.

Aside from its charming character and scenic views, the village also has an interesting Folk Art Museum, which opened in 2015, as well as the church of Agios Georgios. According to an ancient inscription in the interior of the church, the inauguration occurred on May 24, 1898, whilst sections of its iconostasis date back to 1906.

While visiting Gourri, take the opportunity to purchase local, traditionally-made sweets and preserves, including homemade marmalades and ‘glyka tou koutaliou’ (fruit and vegetables preserved in syrup), all made by the local housewives. A short drive away you will also find the scenic village of Fikardou and Machairas Monastery.

Located in the Lefkosia (Nicosia) district, Fikardou village sits at an altitude of 900 metres in the region of Pitsilia. The historical site can be reached by following the E903 and then the E904, finally reaching this secluded and idyllic village.

The name of the village is believed to have originated from the Greek for ‘den of fugitives’ (‘figa andron’), from the fugitives who were recruited by two dominant clans that controlled the region between 400 AD – 800 AD.

Now almost-deserted, the village was declared an Ancient Monument in 1978 by the department of antiquities, and won the Europa Nostra award in 1987. The village was carefully restored to preserve the 18th century houses with their remarkable woodwork and folk architecture. Two of these – the House of Katsinioros, and the House of Achilleas Dimitris – are now owned by the Department of Antiquities, and have been turned into museums, exhibiting rural items and depicting rural life in years past.

After touring the village, visitors will find a traditional Cypriot welcome at the quaint little coffee shop, whilst the Monastery of Machairas is less than 15 minutes away.