Pyrga Village

In the middle of the Nicosia — Limassol road, between Kornos and Psevdas, a mild, shallow valley is traversed by a small tributary of the river Tremithos, and under the northern foothills of Stavrovouni, the Larnaca District village of Pyrga is located.

Built at an elevation of 270 meters, the village is literally “submerged” in pine trees and untamed vegetation.

A panoramic view of the village
The village is located approximately 23 kilometers from Larnaca and 30 kilometers from Nicosia.

The Appidaki, Syinova, Vasioti, Evgali, Stavris, Viklia, and Pipi mountains surround and protect the Pyrga. This mountain range is verdant. If you take one of the numerous trails or a country road to the slopes of the hill, you will be awed by the abundance and diversity of the natural vegetation.

Just behind the 450-meter-tall Evgali mountain, which is located south of the village, is the 688-meter-tall Stavrovouni peak, which is the highest point in the village. Holy Monasteries of Stavrovouni and “Agias Varvaras” (St. Barbara) are located within the administrative boundaries of the community.

Camping Site
The average annual precipitation in Pyrga is approximately 430 millimeters. Due to the mountainous formations that surround the village, a shallow but extremely fertile valley is formed, which serves as the community’s primary agricultural “lung.” Cereals, potatoes, vegetables, citrus trees, olives, carobs, and a variety of legumes (primarily black-eyed French beans) are the primary products produced in this region. Large tracts of state-owned and privately-owned land are thankfully still uncultivated, allowing a vast array of wild vegetation to flourish in all its splendor.

The village’s first fountain
Pines, Phoenician junipers, wild olive trees, terebinths (turpentine trees), lentisks, butcher’s brooms, thorny brooms, lavenders “stoechas”, thorny burnets, sages (cistus and camomile), and thymes are only a few of the species one encounters while passing through. In addition, it is no coincidence that all known botanists who have occasionally studied the flora of the land have spent a great deal of time in this region. (Sibthorp 1787, Kotschy 1859, Sintenis 1880, Lindberg 1939).

This diverse natural vegetation is not irrelevant to the production of the renowned “Honey of Stavrovouni” in the region. The region’s honey has an exquisite flavor and aroma due to the abundance and quality of its flowers. The residents have realized that the future of the community, as well as their own survival, are directly tied to this natural landscape. Therefore, they became aware of the issue in time and have waged dynamic (and also legal) battles for the preservation of the natural environment in their community.

The old Water-mill
In terms of transportation, Pyrga is linked to the village of Kornos in the west (approximately 3.5 kilometers away), the village of Agia Anna in the north-east (approximately 6.5 kilometers away), and, via it, the city of Larnaca. It is located approximately 5 kilometers north-northeast of the neighboring village of Psevdas.

In terms of transportation, Pyrga is linked to the village of Kornos in the west (approximately 3.5 kilometers away), the village of Agia Anna in the north-east (approximately 6.5 kilometers away), and, via it, the city of Larnaca. It is located approximately 5 kilometers north-northeast of the neighboring village of Psevdas.

The original core of the settlement, which is comprised of small, traditional houses made of sun-dried bricks or chestnut lava, is being abandoned continuously. A number of contemporary and country homes are being built in the village’s vicinity, particularly on the peaks and slopes of the hills. Pyrga’s verdant landscape appears to have been recognized early on, as a number of Larnaca and Nicosia residents have built their country homes and cottages there.

The village has existed since the Middle Ages. However, its name dates back to Byzantine times.

There are two possible meanings for the village’s name (Pyrga or Pyrka). The first, which appears to be the most plausible, asserts that the name derives from the region’s red soil (“pyrron” = red). Thus, the village’s name is quite old and derived from pyr (fire) and the Doric idiom ga (instead of “gi,” which means earth). Therefore, the meaning of Pyrga is “red soil.”

According to another interpretation, due to the dense forests in this region, numerous pottery and charcoal kilns were constantly burning. Thus, the term ” pyrkagies ” (plural, meaning fires) was derived from the numerous fires that occurred.

The history of the village dates back to ancient times. Numerous archaeological artifacts, such as caves, earthen statues, pots, coins, jewelry, etc., discovered in the region are evidence of this. Sadly, quite a few of them are in museums abroad, having been moved there by antiquities smugglers, Ambassadors, and High Commissioners of the Great Powers who were in the island during those times. The prevalent poverty and ignorance at the time made their task easier.

The ancient medieval churches still standing in the community (Royal Chapel, Agia Marina, “Panagia tis Stazousas”) are relics of the community’s history during that time period.

According to an old tradition, the great treasure of Ianos (Janus) (silver, gold, and coins), which was never discovered, is still hidden in Pyrga, in the rumored underground galleries under and around St. Catherine. According to legend, this treasure is sufficient to sustain the entire population of Cyprus for a number of years.

A panoramic view of the village
Pyrga is an ideal location for the purchase of a country home or permanent residence on account of its favorable climate, verdant landscape, and proximity to Larnaca and Nicosia. The residents of the two cities appear to have recognized these benefits early on, as a significant number of them have found here the ideal location for their country homes and villas. Recently, a large privately owned Community Centre was constructed in the center of the village, housing the Community Offices, a Health Centre, a Post Office, a cafeteria / restaurant, an event / meeting hall, etc.

All indications are that this growth and development will continue in the years to come, transforming Pyrga into a tranquil, modern, and nearby resort for the residents of Larnaca and Nicosia. The only prerequisite is that the natural environment must be maintained at all costs.

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Agia Marina

The Old Church of St. Marina is located in the southern portion of the neighborhood. It was built in the 12th century and features a dome and a narthex that was added later (porch). Its dome contains a number of half-decayed frescoes. This medieval church is the inspiration for the name of the modern church. The costs of restoring the church of Agia Marina are being covered by the Antiquities Department, the Local Land Authority of Pyrga, and contributions from the “Leventio Paraskevaidio” centre and other believers. In the rear of the church is the village’s first spring, which historically supplied water to the entire community. In 1951, water-supply measures were enacted, and a second spring was constructed to facilitate the village’s water supply.

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Old Agia Marina

The Old Church of St Marina is located in the south of the village. It was built in the 12 th century and retains a domed roof and a narthex (porch) that was added later on. Several half worn-out frescoes are preserved in its dome. It is to this mediaeval church that community’s new church owes its name.

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Stavrovouni Monastery

On a panoramic hilltop of Cyprus, like a large eyrie planted by the hand of Hod, the renowned and one-of-a-kind Holy Monastery of Stavrovouni has risen for centuries atop the lofty and precipitous mount Olympus. It is also located in the Troodos mountain range, which contains several of the most beautiful monasteries in Cyprus. It is located on a rugged mountain in the center of south-east Cyprus, on an isolated peak resembling the pinnacle of a steeple, with no neighboring peaks that are higher or more substantial. This peak, with an average altitude of approximately 700 meters, makes the Monastery visible and affords every visitor a magnificent view in all directions.

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Vavatsinia Village

History

The village of Vavatsinia was founded during the Arabic raids.

The first inhabitants were shepherds coming from the nearby villages Panayia, Ayios Nicolaos and Ayia Marina.

The residents of these villages had to leave the shore to escape from the Arabs and to find rescue on the mountains, together with their animals.

The village has taken its name from one black currant tree, which still exists by the river and its producing big black currants.

The specific tree’s root was a natural water source and was a meeting place of travelers coming from the nearby villages of Ayioi Vavatsinias, Odou, Ora towards the village Lefkara.

Members of the village who have participated in the struggles of the Greek nation in the last two centuries :

– Kyriakos Christou. According to the book by Loizos Philippou, ‘cypriot Fighters’ published by the Archdiocese of Cyprus, Kyriakos Christou from Vavatsinia took part in the Greek struggle for independese of 1821.

– Nicos Patsalos. Nicos took part in the struggle for independence of 1955-1959. He was a very popular member of the village.

– Alexandros Papachristophorou. During the Turkish invasion Alexandros fought at Mia Milia and is one of the many missing persons. Both his parents were from Vavatsinia.

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The Holy church of Saint George

“This is the main church in the village, dedicated to saint George The Glorious. It was built in 1912 and entirely paid for by Michalis Tsolakides who had emigrated to Egypt but who never forgot his village of Vavatsinia. The church which is of the basilica style is to the 23 April and on 3 November. The church was built on the spot where there was a large “Trimithia” bush where villagers used to light a candle in honour of saint George.

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The church of The All Holy Mother of God

“This was the first church of the village, was rebuilt in 1850 and is located east of the village. The church is famous for its singular “gynaeconiti” or gynaeceum (ladies section discreetly situated on a first floor level at the rear of the church) and is under the protection of the Antiquities Department. The church commemorates on 15 August after celebrations ensue.

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The church of Christ the saviour

This a small church located north of the village on the Machairas road. It was built on land donated by Mrs. Androulla Palate and the remains of an old church dedicated to Saint Nicolaos; it is to be found south east of the village.

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Panagia Chapel
(of Koumniou)

The “Koumniou” church of the Holy Mother of God. It was constructed in 1979 to replace an earlier Chapel that had been demolished.Unfortunately, it is in desperate need of repair, and the church committee hopes to gather funds to construct a new one based on the original’s design.

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Kato Lefkara Village

History

Kato (Lower) Lefkara is a village of the Larnaca district and it is located about 34 kilometres south-west of the city of Larnaca.

The community is built on an average altitude of 480 metres. The terrain is hilly and the altitude in the north-east of the settlement reaches up to 417 metres (“Shinokefalos” hilltop). The landscape is fragmented by the rivers Syrkatis and Argaki, and of St. Minas, all tributaries of the Pentaschoinos river.

Kato Lefkara receives an annual rainfall of about 570 millimetres. In the village’s limited cultivable land, vines (of wine-making varieties), olive, almond, and carob trees, a few citrus-trees, forage plants, broad beans, a few fruit-trees (fig, pomegranate, and plum trees), and very few vegetables are cultivated. However, the village’s greatest part is uncultivated and wild, natural vegetation grows in it, mainly pine-trees, thorny burnets and brooms, sages (cistus), thyme, and wild carob and olive trees.

As far as transportation is concerned, Kato Lefkara is connected to the neighbouring village of Pano (Upper) Lefkara in the north-west (about 1 km), with the village Kato Drys in the south-west (about 4 km.), and with the Skarinou Station in the south-east via the Nicosia – Limassol Highway (about 8 km).

The art of needlework (embroidery) developed in Kato Lefkara can also be found in neighbouring village, Pano Lefkara, and have reached a very high level of mastery. Ebroideries here are available in a very large variety and are manufactured locally. What characterizes them is the affluence and the diversity of design.

The separation into Upper (Pano) and Lower (Kato) Lefkara was observed since the times of the Turkish domination, thus the latter village must have been established by banished Greeks. In earlier sources Lefkara is mentioned as a single settlement, obviously being Pano Lefkara.

The village was a strong and rich feud during the years of Frank domination and de Mas Latri includes it in the list of royal estates. Besides, in older maps the village is marked as Lefkara and / or Lescara.

However, Lefkara is one of Cyprus’s villages that we know for sure it existed before the Frank domination era -during the Byzantine times -for which there are no sources that are adequately detailed. The village was claiming the honour of being considered as the birthplace of the significant Cypriot Saint Neofytos, who is however reported as being born in the neighbouring village of Kato Drys. It seems that local tradition attempted to compromise this dispute, regarding the Saint’s decent, by relating that his parents came from “Apliki” -a settlement that existed between Lefkara and Kato Drys -moving however to Kato Drys (where the Saint was born in the 12th century) and later also residing in Lefkara.

The mediaeval annalist Leontios Machairas accepts the descent of Saint Neofytos from Lefkara. In any event, in one of his own writings, Saint Neofytos himself mentions Lefkara as the place of his origin.

There are three different interpretations regarding the name “Lefkara”: the first supports that it comes from the words “Lefka Ori” (White Mountains), because the region has the white coloured, rough, limestone and fire-stone landscape as its main characteristic. The same natural, white colour of the region’s rocks also characterises the appearance of all the stone-made houses, the paved alleys, and the dry-stone, protective structures in the fields, which were made with the local stone of the “White Mountains”. The second interpretation supports that the villages received this name due to the tufts of small, white poplars that grew in their region. Finally, there is the opinion that perhaps the name came from some settler who was named Lefkalos.

Pano and Kato Lefkara, two entirely separate and independent villages, though with a common and interrelated existence, occupy a privileged position on the west, mountainous region of the Larnaca district. Built -side by side -on the edges and the foot of the Sotira mountain, the two villages are adjacent to the Neolithic settlement of Choirokitia and the monastery of Saint Minas.

The first written testimony for the existence of Lefkara under today’s name is given by Saint Neofytos in his book “Typiki Diathiki”, in which he mentions that he was born in Lefkara in 1134. The Saint’s descent from Lefkara is confirmed by his relevant chant, which characterises him as the Glory of Lefkara. This watertight, chronological testimony reveals the existence of Lefkara -as a community -in 1134, which is placed in the end of the Byzantine era (395-1191). Undoubtedly, Lefkara continued their historic tradition and their cultural progress -as the same communal entity -throughout the duration of the Byzantine era.

The second historical testimony goes back to the times of the Frank domination (1191-1570) and reports that all the leading members of the military Order of the Templars were exiled in Lefkara in 1308 and for three years; their inadmissible behaviour obstructed the smooth operation of the Frank regime in Cyprus. In any event, it is reported that -during the 15th century -Sor de Naves, Constable of Cyprus, served as Lord of Lefkara.

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Lefkaritiko Lace Private Museum

The small museum includes traditional hand made works which Mrs. Chrystalla created through love and passion for the Lefkara embroidery. Apart from the traditional Lefkara embroidery, she use the tradition of white-silicate embroidery on modern clothes. She works more than a year to create modern clothes such as skirts, jackets, bags, shoes, necklaces, bracelets and rings. Small but yet unique, there is an interesting collection which you should pay a visit to, when in Kato Lefkara.

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Panagia Eleousa Church

“Panagia Eleousa” (Blessed Virgin Mary the Merciful) is the central church of the village and liturgies take place in it quite often. It is located at the east end of the village in the midst of traditional houses. It is of the Byzantine style with a dome, stone-made, and relatively large for a community like that of Kato Lefkara, having the comfort of accommodating around 120 faithful. Externally it has a large and comfortable yard, which is slated. The church’s external wall is 120 centimeters thick. Internally the church is whitewashed. We will not come across any hagiographies but its woodcut icon-screen is unique in its kind, bearing carvings with representations of angels and lions. It is worth noting that above the icon-screen there are another two rows of icons, the so-called “dodekaorto” (twelve-pieces), depicting the most important moments of the Lord’s life such as the “Palm-bearer”, the “Ascension”, the “Resurrection”, and the “Raising of Lazarus”. The Psalters are new, made out of wood but of a modern, more recent design. About 25 years ago the church went through maintenance, the floor of the church’s interior was paved with new slates and the surrounding walls were scraped. As they were digging the floor so as to extract the old slates, they found earthenware jars at a depth of one meter below the earth’s surface. They were placed there so as to reverberate the sound of one’s voice. Furthermore, when they scraped the walls, again they found some small jars placed inside the walls. One arrives at the conclusion that in this way they achieved the reverberation of the Priest’s voice during Mass.

The icon dedicated to “Panagia Eleousa” is very old and it is kept at the church’s icon-screen. It celebrates in a festive manner on the 21st of November, Her Holy Icon being carried about in procession and many faithful from the surrounding region gathering in order to kneel before the Blessed Virgin and attend Mass.

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Archangel Michael Chapel

The country church of Archangel Michael (12th century) is a moderate-sized church where the See of Kition and Lefkara was seated in previous times (during the era of Turkish domination). Back then it used to have cells and it functioned as the area hosting the Bishop. It is built in the Byzantine style with a dome at the south end of the village and in the midst of the community’s fields. It is not very large. Stone-made on the outside, being covered with painting of saints inside, it lacks a steeple and only the monastery bell (triangle) is present. On the right wall there is a hagiography of the Holy Veronica, a bit further the ones of the Baptism, Saint Neofytos, Saint Nikolaos, Archangel Michael, Saint Dimitrios, Saint George, and -in the large dome –the “Theotis tou Kyriou” (the Lord’s Judgment). The church’s icon-screen was old and has been renovated. The little church is small and plain. The icon dedicated to Archangel Michael is very old and it is kept in a special icon stand there in the country church. A liturgy takes place in it twice a year, on the 8th of November, which is Archangel Michael’s day, and on the 13th of July, the day when Archangels Gabriel and Michael are celebrated.

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