Palaichori Morphou

Written by Vartholomaios on 22/04/2023. Posted in Nicosia.

Palaichori Morphou in Cyprus

Palaichori Morphou

Nicosia

The beautiful village of Palaichori

Palaichori Morphou in Cyprus

Southwest of Nicosia, at a distance of 42 kilometres, Palaichori is located. It has an altitude of 930 meters and is surrounded by high mountain tops. Which can reach up to 1200 meters in altitude. Its residents are about one thousand. The amphitheatrical placement it has is unique. Separated in the middle from a tributary river of the Serrachi river.

The division gives the two regions of Palaichori their corresponding names : Palaichori Orinis and Palaichori Morphou. The exquisite scenery was highlighted by the writer R.Gunnis in his book ‘Historic Cyprus’, when he visited in 1935.

The history of Palaihcori is lost along the unexplored past. We don’t have clues as to when exactly the first residents settled here, coming from the plains and seaside locations. However, it is certain that after the Arabic raids (the first from the caliph Mu’awiya I in 648/49 A.D.) the resident of the seaside regions begun settling systematically in the Troodos mountains, hence in the region of Pitsilia as well. This is how most of the current mountain villages of Cyprus were founded. A new Byzantine world was born. Pat of this world was Palaichori.

For the first time the name Palaichori (Palaiochorio) is referred to in 1237, just a few years after the Franks conquered Cyprus.The characteristic “paleo” confirms its existence already since the byzantine, at least, years. Moreover, since the name is Greek, its founding must be placed during the byzantine years, since of it was founded during the Frankish rule, it would probably have a foreign name. Hence, in 1237, Palaichori was conceded from the king of Cyprus Eric II to the Knights Templar of the Small Commandery of Temple (Kerinia) (S. Pauli, Codice diplomatico del Sacro Militare Ordine… vol. I. p. 127). According to de Mas Latri, Palaichori, after a decree by te French king Phillip IV, with a prompt of the Pope, was granted to the knight of St. John who had their headquarters in Kolossi. This happened after the dissolution og the Templar Knights, which took place between 1308 and 1314. In addition, during the Frankish rule (1192-1489) it had been a fief under the occupation of the large family of the house of Ibelin.

References of Palaichori are found in Venetian maps. All the chartigraphers, such as Fraco in 1570, Ortelius 1573, Blaeu 1653, Janssonius 1637 and Valk and Schenk in 1705, consistently give the name Palaichori. In a copy in the records of Venice on December 11th 1566, which mentions the liberation of the serfdom of Palaichori, the village is reffrenced as Puliocori.

In Palaichori notable monuments have been built. First of all are its temples. The most notable one, chronologically temple is the one of Apostle Luke, which was unfortunately demolished in 1924, to be replaced by a bigger one. From the old temple, only the bell tower was salvaged as well as a few pices of the chapiters and arches, which are now preserved in the adjacent old primary school. According tot G. Jeffery ( A Description of the Historic Monuments of Cyprus, Nicosia 1918), who visited Palaichori in 1916, on the floor of the old temple a section of the opus sectile was preserved, similar to the one in Acheiropoietos in Lampousa. This is especially important since it leads to dating long before the 10th century. The frescoes were intensely influenced by the Italian art of the 15th century.

Also, another important temple is the one of Panagia Chrysopantanassa found in the village centre. A gabled wooden roofed temple. Built in the 16h century. During the same century chronologically the excellent wall frescoes of the temple are also dated. In The Holy Pothesis, inside the temple’s chancel, the litterateur Nikos Nikolaides the Cypriot, left his stamp by illustrating in 1904 the Birth of the Christ.

However, the church that is the pride and joy of Palaichori is the Transfiguration of the Saviour ( Metamorfosi tou Sotiros), with frescoes that date back to the second decade of the 16th century, This small wooden roofed temple, belongs since December 2001 to the list of Monuments of World Heritage of UNESCO. The wall frescoes of the church are excellent and they are in good condition. The fresco ‘’Lady of Angels’’ (Kyria ton Aggelon), illustrated on the niche of the arch of the chancel, became a letter stamp of the State, while in another wall mural Saint Demetris and George are presented riding their horses. In Cyprus this is the only time the two saints are pictured together on horseback. In fact, Saint George had extended his arm and touched the shoulder of Saint Demetris. Finally, two more churches have murals : the church of Saint George and the chapel of Agioi Anargyroi Kosma and Damianou.

One of the two murals in the church if Saint George also belongs to Nikos Noklaides and illustrates Saint Marina and her testification. (1905)

Other important monuments of Palaichori are:
• The museum of Byzantine Heritage of Palaichori in the village centre, where rare ecclesiastical relics are housed.

• The medieval olive press and the old Primary School in the yard of the church if Apostle Luke.

• The hideout of Gregoris Afxentiou, house of Andreas and Maritsas Karaoli.

• The statue of the Cypriot Mother, which was placed on an eminence where it towers over the community, to remind everyone the participation of the citizens of Palaihori in the Liberation fight of EOKA and the sacrifice of its worthy children, Michalaki Karaoli, Kyriakos Matsi and Nikos Georgiou.

• The home pf the fighter Plikarpos Giorkatzis, in the village centre

• The home of the hero Kyriakos Matsi.

• The monument dedicated to the fallen and missing persons during the Turkish invasion in 1974, near the regional primary school: Antonis Pavlides, Andreas Kouroufexis, Andreas Savvopoulos, Nikos Poumbouris, Andreas Eleftheriadis and Georgios Pavlou

• The regions of exquisite natural beauty, such as the valley of Maroullenas and the region on the top of Papoytas at an altitude of 1554m.

Museums

Museum of Byzantine Heritage

Housed in a two-storey traditional architecture home, renovated especially for its use as a museum, it is located in the community centre, near the Panagia church. In the two rooms of the museum the most notable pieces of religious art are exhibited, as well as other relics which were kept through the centuries. Chronologically they cover the periods from the 14th to the 20th century.

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EOKA Hideout 1955-59

During the Liberation fight of EOKA, the hero Gregoris Afxentiou and many other fighters were sheltered in a hideout – oven in the house of Andrea and Maritsa Karaoli. The space, which now operates as a museum for the fight of EOKA, is located next to the church of Panagia Chrysopantanassa.

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The House – Museum of Polykarpos Georgadjis

The paternal home of the EOKA fighter Polykarpos Giorkatzi, has been restored and no operates as a museum. It contains exhibitory material for the life and action of Polykarpos Giorkatzi. It is located in the village centre.

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Metamorfosis tou Sotiros Church
Church of Panagia Chrysopantanassa

Metamorfosis tou Sotiros Church

The church of Metamorfoseos tou Sotiros since 2000 is part of the nine other byzantine churches found in Troodos…

Church of Panagia Chrysopantanassa

The external appearance of the church is characterised by an intense traditionalcolour, since the whole church is covered in stone. …

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco Church

“Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis” (literally, Saint Nicholas of the Roof), located close to the mountainous Kakopetria, is the only…

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco Church

“Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis” (literally, Saint Nicholas of the Roof), located close to the mountainous Kakopetria, is the only thing remaining from an old monastery. As it is made obvious by the church, the monastery was established in the 11 th century. However, we have no other information about it. The ceramic (brick and tile) decor of the church associates it with Constantinople and the Greek region in general. The monastery seems to have flourished both during the Middle Byzantine era as well as the Frank domination era, judging by the repeated decoration of the church with frescoes and the large -dedicated by a Frank Knight at the end of the 13 th century -icon of St Nicholas. The monastery seems to have already declined by the 17 th century and dispersed at the end of that century. When in 1735 the Russian monk Basil Barsky visited it, he met some monks there too. Later on, the estates of the monastery were leased to clergymen and by the end of the 19 th century to laymen.

The “Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis” church is of the cross-in-a-box style with a dome.

UNESCO has included the church of “St Nicholas of the Roof” in the list of Worldwide Cultural heritage, because of its special value.
Agios Panteleimon Church

With donations and after an initiative by the inhabitants of the Kakopetria community, the -now -main church of the…

Agios Panteleimon Church

The Museum is housed in the yard of the Church of Soteros, at the old picturesque neighbourhood of Kakopetria.

With donations and after an initiative by the inhabitants of the Kakopetria community, the -now -main church of the village was recently constructed. The re-construction of the church started in 1989 and ended in 1994. It is a rather large church with a capacity of 700 persons.

Architecturally, it is built in the Byzantine style with a dome. Externally it is coated with plaster and temporarily whitewashed -although there are plans for a facing made with local stone.

Internally the church has started being covered with frescoes. Above the chancel there is the fresco of the “Platytera” and further above those of the “Resurrection”, the “Annunciation”, and various other frescoes with representations of saints. The icon screen, which has three gates, the “Orea Pyli” (Beautiful gate) in the centre, the other two to the left and to the right, is woodcut; the same goes for the Psalters and the High Priest’s throne. In the west side of the church at the “Narthex”, beneath the women’s loft, there is a special kneeling desk where the icon dedicated to St Panteleimon lies. There -by the Narthex -are two arches, one to the left and one to the right. There are plans to have a special area there for a baptistery in the future. Quite important is the presence of the amphitheatre-like women’s loft, which allows the faithful to observe the various religious ceremonies in comfort.

The memory of St Panteleimon is celebrated on the 27 th of July, when many Christians from the surrounding regions attend this great holiday.

Activities
and Attractions

Cyprus agrotourism offers a variety of places to visit. Places, both familiar and unfamiliar, that will soothe you and provide you with utter serenity and beauty. From Palaichori to other villages, one can escape and experience a lovely and easygoing atmosphere.

E.O.K.A Heroes Monuments in Palaichori Village, Cyprus

E.O.K.A Heroes Monuments

Petra tou Antrogynou in Cyprus

Petra tou Antrogynou

Kakopetria Forest

Kakopetria Forest

Dominating pine-trees, platan-trees and poplars prevail in the green scenery, in contrast to acacias and oak trees which only constitute minor “brushworks” of this idyllic picture. This “image of natural vegetation” is completed, as Karouzis characteristically remarks, by “wild olive trees, Cistaceae and other types of wild vegetation”.

Cultivated at the village are several fruit-baring trees such as apple, pear, plum, cherry trees, apricot and fig trees, as well as vegetables. Particularly recognized are the apples produced in Kakopetria known as “kakopetritika”, the naming of which derives from their place of production.

Also distinguished, as Karouzis distinctively describes, is the “abundance of grape pergolas, which can either be found above the verandas of the houses or in the small broken fields. These pergolas supply the residents and the market of Lefkosia with late “veriko” type grapes”.

Kakopetria is ideal for nature lovers since, apart from the green beauties, the village maintains the “Trail of Atalanti” which begins from the location “Chromio” and ends at the “Troodos Square”.
Central Square

Central Square

The beautiful central square of Kakopetria with the tall plane trees and coffee shops, where you can try the traditional homemade sweets of the area and you can sit round the fireplace during the winter . The square it’s just a few minutes away from the old quarter of the village which is a listed area with cobbled streets where old houses have been carefully restored or reconstructed.

Cycling Routes in Cyprus

Cycling Routes

River Clarios

River Clarios

A green veil created with nature’s most beautiful colours covers the village of Kakopetria. Pieces of land covered with wild vegetation mingle with cultivated pieces of land creating a magical scenery.

This idyllic image of the village is completed by the two side-rivers of the River Clarios which are united in the heart of Kakopetria, freely giving their water to the village. Kakopetria constantly enjoys the sound of the streams which create a sweet melody which in turn provides peace and quiet.
Watermills

Watermills

For this famous watermill there are also some other documents. The mill was built by a deacon of Saint Nicholas monastery in 1754. The documents which were found agree that this mill belonged to the Archbishop and then it was rented to others. Some time later, the archbishop decided to sell it. Information that we have, claims that the Archbishop sold it for three hundred pounds and another one says that five other people bought it together, for two hundred and fifty pounds.

After the cesation of its operations, the “Milos tis Gonias” was restored, in 1980. The mill of Hadjistavros was demolished. The first one is nowadays a tourist sight and its present owner is Aristeidis Papa.

The people who visit the Mill can learn some basic things on its operation and the history of the mills in Cyprus. When you enter the premises of the mill you will see a rectangular wooden tub, which is narrower at the bottom. In this tub they used to put cereals, wheat and barley. On the millstone they used to place a special lever which grinded the cereals in small or coarse grains.

On the millstones there was an axle, sometimes wooden and sometimes iron made. The axle began its operation when the water entered in the water wheel. The water begun its course in the headrace, then it continued in a wooden channel and then after a vertical fall it entered in a special water hole, which is built on the side of the water wheel. After this course, the force of the water caused the operation of the millstones.

Through the description of the Mills, we can see that the inhabitants of Kakopetria exploited perfectly the water of the village. We can also discover the cultural and historical side of the village.

Nature Trails in Cyprus

Nature Trails

Platania Picnic and Camping Site

Agios Nikolaos Water Company

Agios Nikolaos Water Company

Set near the village of Kakopetria, in the heart of Troodos Mountains, a mineral water plant has been designed and built to the highest European standards at the Saint Nicholas source.

The remarkable purity of SAINT NICHOLAS water is owed both to the location of the source far from residential or polluted areas and to the bottling procedure of the water in environmentally friendly P.E.T. bottles produced on site prior to filling.

In a reaserch study carried out by the National Center of Science Research “DEMOCRITOS” (Athens, Greece), the water from the Saint Nicholas source was found to be at least 370 years old…! Ageing long before any possible contamination caused by human activity related to environment pollution.

In April 2000, the European Union officially certified SAINT NICHOLAS a Natural Mineral Water.
Kakopetria Old Power Station

Kakopetria Old Power Station

The Kakopetria power station began its operation at the beginning of the 20th century specifically in 1926 due to the initiative of Christos Vasiliou, a resident of the village. The source of energy of the power station was water, giving it a special place in the history of electricity in Cyprus.

The creation of hydro-electricity in Kakopetria and the personal endeavours of Vasiliou are related to one another. Vasiliou managed to succeed in founding the power station, mainly due to his devotion to power the village, rather than to his knowledge of the matter. His knowledge was limited to the small power generating plant which he used at his job in the Amiantos mines. In 1926, having returned from the Amiantos mine, with his wife by his side, he made an attempt to put into motion the power station project something that at the time seemed nearly impossible. It was then when Christos and his wife Orthodoxia decided to sell all their property to achieve their goal which was to purchase a part of church land on the banks of the Klariou River, namely Karkoti or otherwise known as the Kappadoukas area. This was to be the place where the couple’s dream with come true. After hard work, they managed to initially construct a wooden tower which was later replaced by a concrete structure having first completed a series of necessary tests. The project was finally completed in mid September of 1927.

According to the son of the Vasiliou couple, the hydroelectric power station had the following structure: It was composed by a tower (50 meters) with an opening of around 2 meters. The tower was joined with a concrete channel. Water ran through this channel into the hole causing the runner to begin functioning. The runner then activated the machine which ultimately provided the electric power.

When the power station was finally in a position to offer its services to the community, some “electrical installations” started taking place in a few homes. The houses were connected to the power station via cables which passed through logs. Each house which requested electricity, had one lamp, and the cost to the house-owners was two shillings per month. Supply of electricity was now feasible, and on the evening of the 17th September 1927, the residents all gathered in the central square of Kakopetria to see and admire the new power station which was accomplished after the hard work and countless efforts of the Vasiliou couple. That night, as the runner began working and the village was illuminated, people of the village witnessed an important event for the history of the entire island. The power station of Kakopetria, which used water as the main source of electric power, was the first one of its kind on the island.

During the first years of the establishment of the power station, people were very dubious about Vasiliou’s achievement to the point that they even hindered its operation. It is notable that at the time on thirty houses had been connected to the grid. Even more notable was the fact that often the main source of the station’s energy, the water, was diverted with the excuse that it was needed for agricultural usage.

At the beginnings of the operation of the power station, it worked for restricted hours always according to the flow of water. For example, during winter, the power station produced electric power till one o’clock in the afternoon and during summer for fewer hours, due to the lack of water supply. It was not possible to operate, as we mentioned above, when the farmers diverted the flow of the water to their plantations.

Despite all these obstacles, Christos Vasiliou managed to impart his passion and knowledge to his son Andreas. In 1947, Andreas had become an expert in electrical installations, according to the pertinent regulations of the department of Public Works. Thanks to the new know-how and the increased needs of the village, the installations have expanded and diesel engines were bought and installed. The operation of the cinema “Orpheas” was also due to the efforts of Christos Vasiliou.

The use of diesel engines for the production of electric power gradually expanded in the village and for a short period of time both the diesel engines and the power station operated together to cover the needs of the community. The diesel engines functioned during summer, when the quantity of water was reduced, and the power station functioned during winter.

The provision of electric power became an obligation of the government some years later and Christos Vasiliou, known as the “Electrician of Kakopetria”, was no longer responsible for powering the village but it was now the state’s responsibility.

Nowadays, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus is cooperating with the Community Council of Kakopetria and is trying to restore the hydroelectric power station of the area. They are replacing various mechanical parts of the station to make it functional with the intent of converting it into a museum.

All Accommodation

Linos Inn
Ekali Hotel
Evmelia Kakopetria Suites
The Mill Hotel
Christos House

The best Restaurants in the Village of Kakopetria

Platinum Cafe Restaurant

Platinum Cafe Restaurant

Enjoy your coffee or anything you choose from our rich menu, play backgammon with your friends, cards with your company, pool with your buddy or several electronic games. You can also surf to the internet using our computers or your own laptops.

Make sure you try our crepes, waffles, cypriot traditional sweets,ice creams and many other delicious sweets. If you are hungry you can try something delicious from a variety of plates we offer.

Are you a football fan? Here is your place to watch several football games and many other sports events on our TV screens.

Enjoy all these with the best and fastest service. Our scope is nothing else but to fulfil your expectations. Make Platinum Café-Restaurant an unforgettable experience in beautiful Kakopetria.

TIME
10:00 a.m – 21:00 a.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22813999
Mylos Restaurant

Mylos Restaurant

TIME
10:00 a.m – 21:00 a.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22922536
Chrysanthis Cafe Restaurant

Chrysanthis Cafe Restaurant

TIME
12:00 a.m – 22:00 a.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22922202
Restaurant / Swimming Pool

Restaurant / Swimming Pool

TIME
10:00 a.m – 18:00 a.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22922100

LOVE & EXPLORE KAKOPETRIA VILLAGE

The countryside in Cyprus is blessed with natural and man-made beauty with an abundant historical heritage. Its beautifully unique natural environment is complemented by its traditional villages and architecture which lend it a special character and are always welcoming of visitors in the traditional warm and hospitable Cypriot way.

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Galata Village

Written by RAFAEL on 29/03/2022. Posted in Nicosia.

Galata Village

Nicosia

GALATA WEATHER

The beautiful village of Galata

Galata is located 60 kilometres west of Nicosia in the beautiful valley of Solea. It has an altitude of 620 metres above sea level. It is built in the two banks of the River Klarios that crosses through it and it is literally drowning in green. It is conjunct with the neighbouring community of Kakopetria.

Galata is located 60 kilometres west of Nicosia in the beautiful valley of Solea. It has an altitude of 620 metres above sea level.

It is built in the two banks of the River Klarios that crosses through it and it is literally drowning in green. It is conjunct with the neighbouring community of Kakopetria. Both these twin hamlets receive thousands of tourists throughout the year.

Galata is famous for its tasty fruits that it produces in large quantities, especially apples of every variety, apricots, peaches, cherries, damsons, grapes, and others, as well as a variety of fresh vegetables.

If one wants to enjoy a few unforgettable summer moments in Galata, he / she must sit at the village’s plaza. There, in the shadow of the age-old oak and the plane-trees with the Kargotis (Klarios) River, he / she will have unforgettable moments.

The houses of Galata -both the modern and the traditional ones -possess grace and beauty. One is particularly impressed by the wooden balconies and the wooden stairs of the old, traditional houses.

The tiled, inclined roofs, the local stone with which the houses’ walls are made, the latches and bolts, the gateways with their wooden transoms, all these are unfeigned witnesses of contrived folkloric architecture, which is unfortunately dying away as time goes by.

Chiefly however, what is found here is an excellent cultural heritage. The six Byzantine churches with the pyramid-like roofs and their rectangular tiles present to the visitor an unparalleled Byzantine architecture, mainly from the 16 th century››. (Journeys in Cyprus, G and M Karouze).

The History and Tradition regarding Galata — the village’s name.

In very old times, there where legend merges with history, in the “Esso-Galata venue west of today’s village, some shepherds lived along with their flocks. The people who lived in the lower lands, the “katochorites” (lower-village inhabitants), went there in order to buy milk. The people would say amongst them “lets go over there to the ‹galataes› (plural, milkmen) and buy some milk”. Out of “galataes”, always according to tradition, came the name Galata.

Another tradition reports that the first settlers came from Galatia of Asia Minor and were named “Galates” (Byzantine era). So their small settlement was named Galata.

In his Chronicle (Annals), Leontios Machaeras reports that Galata belonged to the feud of the “Regas” (king) since 1196.

Galata is again mentioned by Leontios Machaeras in his Chronicle: ‹‹ … Learn…. These Maria said to me…. who took care of Mr. Erricos de Giblet in the village of Galata… ››.

Thus we come to the conclusion that during the Frank Domination era Galata belonged to the De Giblet family.

In Mediaeval maps Galata is found marked under the name Golata and Galata (Iacomo Franco 1570, Galata).

This is what the Russian traveller, Vasiliev Barksy, wrote in 1735 regarding Galata:

He first visited Galata and then the village’s monastry of Podithou as he prescripes it.Then he returned back to the village were he spend the night.

‹‹ I went to the nearest village, named Galata, and spent the night close to a Christian along with my companions, which were priests. Let it be known that the villages of Solea have very few Muslim inhabitants, the majority being Greek Orthodox Christians, with many churches and priests. This village is the most beautiful of all. It has many fruit-bearing trees and running water and it is located next to the aforementioned river Klarios ››.

The Village of “Lampadou”

It is not known where exactly the village of “Lampadou” was built. However, the inhabitants of Galata as well as those of the surrounding villages -by tradition -starkly believe that this village or small settlement was located close to the country church of St. George the “Perachorites”, east of Kakopetria and to the left of the tourist road to Troodos.

“Lampadou” or “Lampadis” or “Lampadistos” has been the birthplace of two of our Church’s Saints, St Herakleidios and St. John the “Lampadistes” (the Illuminator).

The following reasons reinforce and confirm the view that Lampadou was located in the aforementioned area.

• According to St. John the Illuminator’s “Akolouthia” (service) of 1667, he came from ‹‹ the hamlet of Lampadou of the Galaton district ››.

• In an unpublished manuscript (Φ13 β) it was mentioned that: ‹‹ He was a Cypriot -St. John the Illuminator -from the region of the Solea district, from the village Lampadou ››.

• The Russian traveller Barsky who in 1735 spent one night in Galata, during his tour ‹‹ in all the monasteries of Cyprus ›› mentions: ‹‹ John -a saintly man -the Illuminator from the village of Lampadis, where the Saint was born and which now has been abandoned as I have ascertained when I was in Solea ››.

• One of the “Aposticha” (types of verses) that refers to St. Herakleidios goes like this: « Τόπους αμειβόμενος οι του Σωτήρος Απόστολοι προς Σολέαν ιθύνονται και δόξαν κηρύττοντες Ιησού του Λόγου , άχρι της Λαμπάδου , ένθα και εύρον τον φαιδρόν θείον και πάνσοφον Ηρακλείδιον , δοχείον καθαρώτατον και μύστην υπάρχοντα Ελληνικής διαθέσεως , όν διδάξαντες έλεγον , σέβειν ένα Θεόν ημών », narrating how the Apostles, preaching the Word of God, came to Lampadou and taught St. Herakleidios about Christianity.

• In the service of St. John the Illuminator of 1774, h is mentioned as descending ‹‹ from the village Lampadistou of Solea››.

• Sofronios, the former Metropolitan Bishop of Leontopolis writes in his 1935 opus “Hagiology of the Orthodox Church”: ‹‹ Saint John the Illuminator, from Cyprus (October 4 th ). In no hagiographer have I encountered a memoir of him… He is celebrated in Cyprus, descending from Lampadou (a village by the hamlet of Galata) and thus having this name ››.

• At a small distance outside Galata there is a bridge called “giofyrin t’ Aerakleidkiou”, that is bridge of St. Herakleidios.

• There is a venue quite near Galata named “Moutte tis Lampadou” (nose or peak of Lampadou).

• In the Byzantine churches of Galata and Kakopetria there are frescoes depicting St. Herakleidios and St. John the Illuminator.

• ‹‹ Again the mention of a settlement under the name Lampas in the “district of the Galates” indicates that the settlement must have been in the Solea region (where the large village of Galata is) ››. (History of the island of Cyprus, volume II, Andros Pavlides).

St. Herakleidios

From the Hagiography of St. Herakleidios -and also from other sources -we can conclude that he was an idolater (heathen) and a son of a certain Hierokleous or Hierokles, a heathen priest. It is known that the ancient people in Cyprus, like the ancient Greeks, believed in the twelve Gods of Olympus.

When the Apostles Paul and Varnavas came to Cyprus in 45 AD to preach the Nazarene’s religion, they passed by Lampadou that was close to Galata. Here the Apostles met the then young Herakleidios along with his father who -at that moment -was offering a sacrifice to the Gods. Hierokles invited them to take part in the sacrifice. The Apostles refused. They only asked to be shown the wrote to Pafos.

Hierokles allowed his son, Herakleidios, to escort the Apostles and show them the way.

As they were walking, the Apostles taught to Herakleidios the true religion of Jesus Christ and its superiority, in comparison with the religion he believed in. Herakleidios was thrilled with the new religion, became a believer, and was baptised. The Apostles ordained him as the bishop of Tamassos.

St. John the “Lampadistes” (Illuminator / torch bearer)

St. John the Illuminator descended from Lampadou, as his surname reveals, just like St. Herakleidios. ‹‹ … from the renowned island of Cyprus, from the village of Lampadou in the district of Galata››. (Costas Myriantheas St John the Illuminator)

He lived during the 11 th century. His parents were the priest Kyriakos and his mother Anna.

He was nurtured with the essence of the faith and learned the holy scriptures from an early age. Because of his great love for God, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to Him.

When he was 18 years old his parents were pressing him to be engaged, forgetting that their son was the fruit of their prayers and pleas.

After the engagement, John decided to break his engagement and dedicate himself to God. He announced to the parents of his fiancee his irreversible decision. In spite their bitterness and their feelings of being insulted, they pretended that they still had loving feelings for him. They invited him to dinner and poisoned him and as a result John was blinded. The scene of this lethal dinner with the poisonous fishes that they offered to him is depicted in a large portable icon, which is found in his monastery in Kalopanagiotis.

He was now blind. But he says “If they have taken from me the eyes of the body, the eyes of the soul exist, so that I will praise the name of God with greater zeal”.

With the help of a servant who had the same name as he did, he leaves Lampadou and ascends to the monastery of his fellow-villager, St. Herakleidios.

He lived three years of angelic, ascetic life “teaching everyone that -if they want- they are able to live ‘close’ to Christ”.

He was 22 years old when he delivered his “snow-white soul” to the Lord.

“Folkloric Art” Museum

The Museum of Folkloric Art

Galata’s Museum of Folkloric Art was established in the summer of 1990 by the -then -Assistant Principal of the School, Mr. Athanasios Papadopoulou.

After a great deal of troubles, rushing around, visiting many villages even up to Pafos, and with the love and contribution of Galata’s inhabitants, he managed to create a beautiful Museum that was quite rich in exhibits and one of the first in Cyprus.

The Museum’s founder declares:

‹‹My ambition was to salvage -as soon as possible -tools, vessels, garments / attires, furniture, kitchenware, and a collection of items of everyday use that belong to some other eras… I was seeing them thrown away and abandoned in yards, in gardens, and in half-ruined houses, being consumed by the rain, the rust, and the all-subduing Time. I grieved for them, I felt for them, I wanted to protect them, to take care of them, to repair and maintain them, and to place them in a suitable area so that our souls will kneel before them like before holy icons. ››

All of the Museum’s items, over five hundred of them, are categorised according to profession. Tools and utilities of the shepherd, the farmer, the silk-breeder, the builder, the butcher, the potter, the lumberjack, the wine-shop owner, the shoemaker, and the carpenter. There’s a rich collection of attires, a large variety of kitchenware, and various furnishings that you will feel glad to come to and saunter in.

The openings of Galata’s F.A. Museum were conducted by the Minister- at the time -of Education, Mr. Christoforos Christoforou on the 11/11/1990.

A great benefactor of the Museum is the dear departed Michalakis Kythreotis, who “portioned” it with the amount of 2,000 C.P.

The Museum is open in the morning and in the afternoon.

Excerpts from an article of Mr. Lakis Fourouklas in the “Proina Nea” (Morning News) newspaper, 15/9/1990.

……We will now guide you through the Museum’s grounds, its entrance by itself predisposing you for what you will see next.

It is a rather small place that -at a first glance -reminds you the traditional Cypriot house with all the elements co-existing in one single room.

The entrance is a traditional, wooden, double door made of pinewood while the roof is made of reeds resting on wooden beams.

The walls are whitewashed and the whole prevailing atmosphere reminds you of the old, village houses that -as they say -are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Despite the lack of space, Mr. Papadopoulos has managed to classify the various objects, which are contributions of the village’s inhabitants, into unities that at the same time bond together with a natural harmony.

So, the tools of the farmer, the shepherd, the builder, the shoemaker, the silk-breeder, and many others, as well as kitchenware co-exist in the same area. In a few words, the museum’s exhibits outline the village household from the beginning of the century and onward.

Right as you enter the museum, you will face a “Pouaro” (chest of drawers) that dates back to 1925 and on your left a teacher’s desk from 1915. Above them there are paintings and kitchen utensils, some of them dating back to the previous century and reminding us of other times.

On the right there are -craftily placed -traditional Cypriot attires, an old sewing machine, as well as a child’s bed made of iron and covered with a white marquisette. On our left there are all sorts of objects that are considered necessary in the traditional Cypriot house such as bread-planks, jugs, wooden shovels, rakes, demijohns for “Zivania” (strong, transparent alcoholic beverage), a loom, and other things.

Of course, tools like the ones of the shoemaker, the plough, the yoke for the horses, the “adhrakti” (kind of distaff with blades), the silk-breeder’s apparatus, the spindle, the spinning wheel, and so many others that have marked the life of our country in the beginning of the century.

And all these housed in a very small area.

For all of the museum’s exhibits there is a book where both the names of the donators as well as the date that the contributions were made are recorded.

“Folkloric Art” Museum

Galata’s Museum of Folkloric Art was established in the summer of 1990 by the -then -Assistant Principal of the School, Mr. Athanasios Papadopoulou.

The Museum of Folkloric Art

Galata’s Museum of Folkloric Art was established in the summer of 1990 by the -then -Assistant Principal of the School, Mr. Athanasios Papadopoulou.

After a great deal of troubles, rushing around, visiting many villages even up to Pafos, and with the love and contribution of Galata’s inhabitants, he managed to create a beautiful Museum that was quite rich in exhibits and one of the first in Cyprus.

The Museum’s founder declares:

‹‹My ambition was to salvage -as soon as possible -tools, vessels, garments / attires, furniture, kitchenware, and a collection of items of everyday use that belong to some other eras… I was seeing them thrown away and abandoned in yards, in gardens, and in half-ruined houses, being consumed by the rain, the rust, and the all-subduing Time. I grieved for them, I felt for them, I wanted to protect them, to take care of them, to repair and maintain them, and to place them in a suitable area so that our souls will kneel before them like before holy icons. ››

All of the Museum’s items, over five hundred of them, are categorised according to profession. Tools and utilities of the shepherd, the farmer, the silk-breeder, the builder, the butcher, the potter, the lumberjack, the wine-shop owner, the shoemaker, and the carpenter. There’s a rich collection of attires, a large variety of kitchenware, and various furnishings that you will feel glad to come to and saunter in.

The openings of Galata’s F.A. Museum were conducted by the Minister- at the time -of Education, Mr. Christoforos Christoforou on the 11/11/1990.

A great benefactor of the Museum is the dear departed Michalakis Kythreotis, who “portioned” it with the amount of 2,000 C.P.

The Museum is open in the morning and in the afternoon.

Excerpts from an article of Mr. Lakis Fourouklas in the “Proina Nea” (Morning News) newspaper, 15/9/1990.

……We will now guide you through the Museum’s grounds, its entrance by itself predisposing you for what you will see next.

It is a rather small place that -at a first glance -reminds you the traditional Cypriot house with all the elements co-existing in one single room.

The entrance is a traditional, wooden, double door made of pinewood while the roof is made of reeds resting on wooden beams.

The walls are whitewashed and the whole prevailing atmosphere reminds you of the old, village houses that -as they say -are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Despite the lack of space, Mr. Papadopoulos has managed to classify the various objects, which are contributions of the village’s inhabitants, into unities that at the same time bond together with a natural harmony.

So, the tools of the farmer, the shepherd, the builder, the shoemaker, the silk-breeder, and many others, as well as kitchenware co-exist in the same area. In a few words, the museum’s exhibits outline the village household from the beginning of the century and onward.

Right as you enter the museum, you will face a “Pouaro” (chest of drawers) that dates back to 1925 and on your left a teacher’s desk from 1915. Above them there are paintings and kitchen utensils, some of them dating back to the previous century and reminding us of other times.

On the right there are -craftily placed -traditional Cypriot attires, an old sewing machine, as well as a child’s bed made of iron and covered with a white marquisette. On our left there are all sorts of objects that are considered necessary in the traditional Cypriot house such as bread-planks, jugs, wooden shovels, rakes, demijohns for “Zivania” (strong, transparent alcoholic beverage), a loom, and other things.

Of course, tools like the ones of the shoemaker, the plough, the yoke for the horses, the “adhrakti” (kind of distaff with blades), the silk-breeder’s apparatus, the spindle, the spinning wheel, and so many others that have marked the life of our country in the beginning of the century.

And all these housed in a very small area.

For all of the museum’s exhibits there is a book where both the names of the donators as well as the date that the contributions were made are recorded.

Panagia tis Podithou Unesco Church
Panagia Odigitria Church

Panagia tis Podithou Unesco Church

Travelling on the Nicosia-Troodos tourist road and entering the Galata community, in your right you face the “Panagia of Podithou” church…

“Travelling on the Nicosia-Troodos tourist road and entering the Galata community, in your right you face the “Panagia of Podithou” church. The “Panagia Eleousa” church (Blessed Virgin Mary, the all-merciful), known as “Panagia tis Podithou”, is what remained form a small Monastery that today does not exist. The church is built at the centre of a long and narrow valley close to the riverside of Klarios.

The church’s shape is rectangular and -in the east -it ends in a semicircular apse. The internal dimensions without the apse are 12 x 4 meters. It is surrounded by a Π -shaped gallery that is covered by the same V-shaped, wooden roof, which is capped by tile plates made by tile-makers from Galata. It was built in 1502 by Demetrios de Coron and his wife Helen. Demetrios and his family were one of medieval Cyprus’s families of Latin descent that were Hellenized. In 1461 Demetrios was the commander in the “Pentagia” region and was in favour of Iacovos, illegitimate brother of the legitimate queen Charlotte, who was illegitimately claiming the royal crown of Cyprus. Forty-one years later, in 1502, Demetrios de Coron built the “Panagia Eleousa” church that was later renamed “Panagia tis Podithou”.

In the external side of the west wall, the Virgin Mary is figured above the central entrance. The donators are depicted under Her throne, a couple to the left and a man to the right, having a model of the church in their midst, which they offer to the Virgin Mary. Under this composition there is the following founder’s inscription:

“THIS DIVINE AND VENERABLE CHURCH OF THE ALL-HOLY, MERCIFUL MOTHER OF GOD WAS RAISED IN THE YEAR OF OUR CHRIST 1502 THROUGH EXPENSES AND MUCH DESIRE OF KIROU MISER DEMETRI DE CORO AND HIS WIFE ELENI , FOUNDERS OF THIS HOLY MONASTERY AND THOS OF YOU WHO READ THIS PRAY FOR THEM AND WISH THEM HAPPINESS THROUGH OUR LORD, AMEN”.

The “Panagia tis Podithou” church was not decorated with frescoes in its entirety. They cover the external side of the west wall, the internal west pediment, the eastern pediment, the quadrant of the apse, and the semicircular wall of the apse.. The Crucifixion in the internal western pediment does not resemble the familiar unadorned Crucifixion of the Byzantine tradition. It is a scene with many characters, influenced by Western painting. It looks more like a religious painting with many details. The Crucified Christ and the thieves, the -westernised -soldiers on horseback, the soldier that is breaking the thieves’ legs, the Virgin Mary that tumbles to the ground unconscious, the soldiers that are rolling dice for Christ’s tunic and quarrelling, Maria Magdalene embracing the base of Christ’s Cross, and -finally -the enigmatic figure of the monk on his knees.

The Holy Towel is pictured at the top of the eastern pediment. The two “visions” of the Prophet Moses are depicted further down. On the left, Moses is receiving the plates with the Ten Commandments from the hands of God. On the right, Moses is bending down so as to untie the lace of his sandal. Before him and higher above there is a depiction of the Virgin Mary with Christ in an “engkolpio” (shape of a handbook), in the midst of the Burning Bush’s flames.

In the apse’s quadrant and in a majestic composition, the Virgin Mary is depicted enthroned and having Christ on her knees while the archangels Michael and Gabriel are turned toward the Virgin Mary, holding candles and admiring her.

This fresco, which is preserved in good condition, is very impressive.

“…It is perfect in composition, very beautiful in appearance, and quite rich in internal reflection, worked with delicacy and grace, craftsmanship and studiousness, and with clarity of perception…”

(Cyprian Studies)

Under this wonderful -oval shaped – “baby-holding” Virgin Mary, there is a depiction of the Apostles’ Holy Communion in two scenes. On the left there’s the sharing of the “Artos” (Holy Bread) and on the right the receiving of the “Enos” (Wine). Then come the following Hagiographies from the Old Testament, which are mentioned amongst the Apocrypha (secret, non-canonical gospels) of St Jacob. Joachim and Anna offering the gifts, the Prayer of Joachim, the Prayer of St. Anna, the embrace of Joachim and Anna, the Birth of the Virgin Mary.

The church’s icon screen is considered as one of the best woodcut, gild-edged icon screens of the 16 th century. Unfortunately, neither the Cross up above nor the small icons high up the icon screen are in existence. The Bema Doors of the temple, works of art with great value, have been stolen in the beginning of 2003 and their whereabouts are unknown.

The name “Podithou” or “Podythou”.

The centre of the entire hagiography in the “Panagia tis Podithou” church is the Enthroned Virgin Mary Holding the Infant Christ in the apse of the Holy Bema. The positioning of the Burning Bush at the highest point of the temple is an innovation emphasising the “Vision” of Moses.

“Untie the shoes from your feet” said God to Moses when he stood before the Burning Bush in Mount Horeb, ” Apodithou ta ipodimata sou” (in Greek, remove your footwear), the priests and preachers would explain to the faithful, analysing the words of God toward Moses. Thus the name “Panagia tis Podythou” (Virgin Mary of Podythou) or “Po’ythou” in the dialect of the people until today.

In the south-east of the church there was the two-level house, the ground level of which was known as the “School of the Podithou Monastery”. Unfortunately it was demolished in 1950.

In 1735 the Russian traveller Vasilios Barsky refers to the monastery of “Podithou”, which he visited. “It ha a small church covered in tiles…” He mentions the harsh and miserable conditions under which the two monks live because of the Moslems, which grab by force foods and drinks.

UNESCO has included the church of “Panagia Podithou” amongst the 10 Byzantine churches of Cyprus that were deemed to be of particular importance and were included in the list of World cultural heritage.

Panagia Odigitria Church

In the middle of the village, higher above the main road, stands the church of “Panagia Odegetria” (Virgin Mary, the guiding one)…

Panagia tis Podithou Unesco Church

Travelling on the Nicosia-Troodos tourist road and entering the Galata community, in your right you face the “Panagia of Podithou” church…

Panagia tis Podithou Unesco Church

“Travelling on the Nicosia-Troodos tourist road and entering the Galata community, in your right you face the “Panagia of Podithou” church. The “Panagia Eleousa” church (Blessed Virgin Mary, the all-merciful), known as “Panagia tis Podithou”, is what remained form a small Monastery that today does not exist. The church is built at the centre of a long and narrow valley close to the riverside of Klarios.

The church’s shape is rectangular and -in the east -it ends in a semicircular apse. The internal dimensions without the apse are 12 x 4 meters. It is surrounded by a Π -shaped gallery that is covered by the same V-shaped, wooden roof, which is capped by tile plates made by tile-makers from Galata. It was built in 1502 by Demetrios de Coron and his wife Helen. Demetrios and his family were one of medieval Cyprus’s families of Latin descent that were Hellenized. In 1461 Demetrios was the commander in the “Pentagia” region and was in favour of Iacovos, illegitimate brother of the legitimate queen Charlotte, who was illegitimately claiming the royal crown of Cyprus. Forty-one years later, in 1502, Demetrios de Coron built the “Panagia Eleousa” church that was later renamed “Panagia tis Podithou”.

In the external side of the west wall, the Virgin Mary is figured above the central entrance. The donators are depicted under Her throne, a couple to the left and a man to the right, having a model of the church in their midst, which they offer to the Virgin Mary. Under this composition there is the following founder’s inscription:

“THIS DIVINE AND VENERABLE CHURCH OF THE ALL-HOLY, MERCIFUL MOTHER OF GOD WAS RAISED IN THE YEAR OF OUR CHRIST 1502 THROUGH EXPENSES AND MUCH DESIRE OF KIROU MISER DEMETRI DE CORO AND HIS WIFE ELENI , FOUNDERS OF THIS HOLY MONASTERY AND THOS OF YOU WHO READ THIS PRAY FOR THEM AND WISH THEM HAPPINESS THROUGH OUR LORD, AMEN”.

The “Panagia tis Podithou” church was not decorated with frescoes in its entirety. They cover the external side of the west wall, the internal west pediment, the eastern pediment, the quadrant of the apse, and the semicircular wall of the apse.. The Crucifixion in the internal western pediment does not resemble the familiar unadorned Crucifixion of the Byzantine tradition. It is a scene with many characters, influenced by Western painting. It looks more like a religious painting with many details. The Crucified Christ and the thieves, the -westernised -soldiers on horseback, the soldier that is breaking the thieves’ legs, the Virgin Mary that tumbles to the ground unconscious, the soldiers that are rolling dice for Christ’s tunic and quarrelling, Maria Magdalene embracing the base of Christ’s Cross, and -finally -the enigmatic figure of the monk on his knees.

The Holy Towel is pictured at the top of the eastern pediment. The two “visions” of the Prophet Moses are depicted further down. On the left, Moses is receiving the plates with the Ten Commandments from the hands of God. On the right, Moses is bending down so as to untie the lace of his sandal. Before him and higher above there is a depiction of the Virgin Mary with Christ in an “engkolpio” (shape of a handbook), in the midst of the Burning Bush’s flames.

In the apse’s quadrant and in a majestic composition, the Virgin Mary is depicted enthroned and having Christ on her knees while the archangels Michael and Gabriel are turned toward the Virgin Mary, holding candles and admiring her.

This fresco, which is preserved in good condition, is very impressive.

“…It is perfect in composition, very beautiful in appearance, and quite rich in internal reflection, worked with delicacy and grace, craftsmanship and studiousness, and with clarity of perception…”

(Cyprian Studies)

Under this wonderful -oval shaped – “baby-holding” Virgin Mary, there is a depiction of the Apostles’ Holy Communion in two scenes. On the left there’s the sharing of the “Artos” (Holy Bread) and on the right the receiving of the “Enos” (Wine). Then come the following Hagiographies from the Old Testament, which are mentioned amongst the Apocrypha (secret, non-canonical gospels) of St Jacob. Joachim and Anna offering the gifts, the Prayer of Joachim, the Prayer of St. Anna, the embrace of Joachim and Anna, the Birth of the Virgin Mary.

The church’s icon screen is considered as one of the best woodcut, gild-edged icon screens of the 16 th century. Unfortunately, neither the Cross up above nor the small icons high up the icon screen are in existence. The Bema Doors of the temple, works of art with great value, have been stolen in the beginning of 2003 and their whereabouts are unknown.

The name “Podithou” or “Podythou”.

The centre of the entire hagiography in the “Panagia tis Podithou” church is the Enthroned Virgin Mary Holding the Infant Christ in the apse of the Holy Bema. The positioning of the Burning Bush at the highest point of the temple is an innovation emphasising the “Vision” of Moses.

“Untie the shoes from your feet” said God to Moses when he stood before the Burning Bush in Mount Horeb, ” Apodithou ta ipodimata sou” (in Greek, remove your footwear), the priests and preachers would explain to the faithful, analysing the words of God toward Moses. Thus the name “Panagia tis Podythou” (Virgin Mary of Podythou) or “Po’ythou” in the dialect of the people until today.

In the south-east of the church there was the two-level house, the ground level of which was known as the “School of the Podithou Monastery”. Unfortunately it was demolished in 1950.

In 1735 the Russian traveller Vasilios Barsky refers to the monastery of “Podithou”, which he visited. “It ha a small church covered in tiles…” He mentions the harsh and miserable conditions under which the two monks live because of the Moslems, which grab by force foods and drinks.

UNESCO has included the church of “Panagia Podithou” amongst the 10 Byzantine churches of Cyprus that were deemed to be of particular importance and were included in the list of World cultural heritage.
Panagia Odigitria Church

In the middle of the village, higher above the main road, stands the church of “Panagia Odegetria” (Virgin Mary, the guiding one)…

Panagia Odigitria Church

In the middle of the village, higher above the main road, stands the church of “Panagia Odegetria” (Virgin Mary, the guiding one)

The Metropolitan Bishop of Keryneia, Makarios II, used to call the church as “mikri Faneromeni” (meaning “a smaller version of the Faneromeni church”) so as to emphasise its splendour by comparing it to that of Nicosia’s.

It was constructed in 1930 with donations and voluntary work by the community’s inhabitants.

A built-in plate that is found in the north entrance reports:

“DURING THE TERM OF THE ALL-HOLY METROPOLITAN BISHOP OF KERYNEIA MAKARIOS WAS THIS VENERABLE CHURCH OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD RAISED OVER THE POSITION OF THE OLD CHURCH WITH HIS EXPENSES AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE PIOUS CHRISTIANS. THE CONSTRUCTION STARTED ON 2/1/1929 AND WAS COMPLETED 30/10/1930 DESIGN AND SUPERVISION OF ARCHITECT FILIPOS LOIZOS”

The completion of such a structure within a year and a half is a true feat, considering the means of those days.

The built-in plate from its inauguration says:

“THIS CHURCH IS INSTITUTED DURING THE TERM OF METROPOLITAN BISHOP OF KERYNEIA MAKARIOS. WITH DONATIONS FROM EVRIPIDES GEORGIADIS AND HIS WIFE ANNA -FROM STROVOLOS -IN THE YEAR OF THE LORD 1930 MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2 A DAY SUNDAY”

The church’s entire furnishing was completed through donations by the inhabitants and monks that served in various monasteries, especially that of Kykkos. Everywhere one can read, “EXPENSES PAID BY…”.

For example, in the High Altar, ” EXPENSES PAID BY THE PRIEST AND MONK NIKODEMOS KYKKOTIS, FROM GALATA”, “EXPENSES PAID BY IACOVOS ARNOPOULOU”, et al.

Great benefactors of the community and donators of the church are the dear departed Church Steward of Kykkos, Panaretos, the Vicar of Keryneias’s throne, Iacovos Arnopoulos, and others.

The church is divided in three aisles by two series of columns and has a dome. The internal decoration of the church is beautiful, opulent, and imposing. The entire church is decorated with hagiographies.

In the church’s vestry several Holy Vessels, veils, vestments, ancient buckles, censers, a cross, a Gospel from 1745, and other items are kept.

Activities
and Attractions

Cyprus agrotourism offers a variety of places to visit. Places, both familiar and unfamiliar, that will soothe you and provide you with utter serenity and beauty. From Galata to other villages, one can escape and experience a lovely and easygoing atmosphere.

Cyprus Galata Village Old Buildings

Old Buildings

Galata’s traditional houses possess grace and beauty. Especially impressive are the ones with the wooden balconies, houses along the central road leading to Kakopetria that had a “parkoni me parmatzia” (a balcony with a grating). Some have been reconditioned while it expected that -gradually -the rest will also be reconditioned, being under the protection of the Antiquities Department.

Galata is also known as the “village of balconies” because of the many houses that had one. Almost all the traditional houses had two floors. The balcony was the wooden protrusion towards the main road, about 1.5 meters in width and 2.5 meters in length, being an extension of the second floor. This protrusion, which was roofed, was supported by 3 external beams so as to be more steady and firm, having all around it the gratings at a height of about 1 meter. These were either square or rectangular wooden frames with diagonal striped pieces, one firmly attached to the other. The village’s older balconies are those located across the chapel of St George and they connect all the way to Maragkos’s Caravansary. The owners were the teacher Lampros Hadji-Gabriel, Champis Mourtziis, Dimosthenis Kynigopoulos, and Socratis Galatis who also kept a coffee-house at the ground-floor and the Caravansary that was renovated, “Galata’s Museum of Folkloric Art” being housed at its ground-floor. They were all built in 1900.

Also very beautiful are the balconies to the west, some of them being reconditioned. These are the ones belonging to the famous hotel of “Fysa-Nikolas”, the first hotel in the Solia region, to Diogenis Georgios, to Papaloizos, and others.

The balconies of Galata were at the height of their glory during the afternoons of summer. The whole family, sitting in the balcony, enjoyed the coolness of the nearby river and watched the traffic of the main street. The father rested after the day’s hard work. The mother knitted or worked the loom, which most of the times was placed in the balcony. Grandma spun cotton or wool using the spindle, while the children shouted along with the neighborhood’s children in the balconies next door. A wonderful painting-like image made in Galata from a few decades ago, back when Galata was the “heart of Solia” and the center of trade, of buying and selling of agricultural and stockbreeding products, and also a meeting point for the people of Solia.

The rural house:

The rural house usually had two floors. From the foundations and up to a meter high, it was built with stones from the river or the mountain. From that point and up to the roof it was built with mud-bricks that the inhabitants of Galata made themselves. The roof either had local, curved tiles or beams, reeds, and an earthen cover, known as “domata”. Over the earthen roof they would spread alluvial clay (known as “konnos”) that was impermeable by the water of rain. The floor was made of brick-slabs or marble. The “mantalia” and the “romanisia” (plural, bolts – latches) were necessary for opening, closing, and securing the doors or the main gateway to the street. The stable for the animals (oxen, donkeys or horses, goats) was at the ground floor. Farther on stood the barn and then the stockroom with the large or small earthenware jars and the pitchers. In them they stored all their produce, wheat, barley, flour, wine, “zivania” (strong, transparent, alcoholic beverage), vinegar, oil, olives, ant he “kourellos” (amphora-like pot with wide mouth) with the “challoumia” (plural, white cheese of Cyprus), and various other items. In the yard there was the oven for the baking of bread and -close to it -piles of wood, both for the fireplace in the winter and for the oven. Also essential in the yard were the “goumas” (hen pen) with the chicken and a small shed for the pig, which each family necessarily raised and fattened. The pig was slaughtered during Christmas and a part of its meat was used to make the “pasta” (dried meat), sausages, “lountza” (kind of dried meat), the “karkalamia” (the skeletal parts), lard, and “zalatina” (dried meat pieces in jelly and spices). Other meats they fried and placed in the tar-coated pitchers along with pig grease until the summer for the harvest-time. Every house had its guard, a dog, as well as one or two cats.

On the second floor there were: the large room in the middle with a fire-stove and all the items necessary for the kitchen -the utensils, the dinning table, the seats -some chairs and the loom. This was the most frequented area for the family.

The other rooms -1,2 or 3 of them -were the bedrooms with the chests or trunks, in which all the garments, the sheets and generally the trousseaus of the family were kept. In the balconies they sat so as to rest and also entertained relatives or friends.

Cyprus Water Mills

Water Mills

River Clarios

River Clarios

A green veil created with nature’s most beautiful colours covers the village of Kakopetria. Pieces of land covered with wild vegetation mingle with cultivated pieces of land creating a magical scenery.

This idyllic image of the village is completed by the two side-rivers of the River Clarios which are united in the heart of Kakopetria, freely giving their water to the village. Kakopetria constantly enjoys the sound of the streams which create a sweet melody which in turn provides peace and quiet.
Galatas Fountains

Galatas Fountains

• The fountain of “Pogiatzies”

The fountain of “Pogiatzies” is located quite close to the Museum of Folkloric Art, to the right on the way to Kakokpetria. You go down some steps and face a vaulted fountain while the water of a small stream flows by your feet, coming from “Esso” (Inner) Galata and then joining with the river Klarios.

At the fountain’s highest point there is a built-in plate with the date 1733 and the sign “IC-XC NI-KA”.

It is called “Pogiatzie’s fountain” because this is where Demosthenis Loizou Pogiatzies used to wash the “vrakes” (plural, villager’s pants / galligaskins) that he dyed. In those days, the white “vrakes” that they used to saw had to be dipped in a special concoction made of sulphuric copper and dry pomegranate leafs -about 4 to 5 times -until they were blackened. (Details in the book “Galata, then and now”).

• The “Mastre Philippou” fountain

The “Mastre Philippou” (Master Philippos) fountain is found close to the village’s plaza.

It is written on it:

‹‹ FOUNTAIN OF MASTRE PHILIPPOU›› 1986

It is the property of the dear departed Filippos Loizou.

Cyprus Galata The

Archangel Rodou’s Mill Nature Trail

Central Square

Central Square

The Forestry Department has created a number of trails carefully designed to cover areas of rich natural vegetation and cultural interest. They have been landscaped on gentle gradients and are, as a rule, circular so that all age groups can easily use them.

In many cases, there are signposts in place, to indicate the starting point of the trail, as well as flora and geology features along the route.

Although walking in Cyprus can be enjoyed throughout the year, the recommended seasons are during late Autumn (November) and spring, when the Cyprus rural and forest areas are at full bloom.
Heroes Monument

Heroes Monument

Galata, wanting to express its admiration, its love, and its pride for its heroic children, for eternal remembrance and exemplification to the future generations, has raised in their honour a modest monument. It is a column of 5 metres height with an oblong, brazen piece attached to it, depicting the tattered, khaki shirt of the guerrilla who fell fighting for the freedom of our Cyprus. At the base of the monument, upon a slab of granite, the name of all of Galata’s brave men are written as follows:

– CHRYSANTHOS MYLONAS

– EVAGORAS PAPACHRISTOFOROU 55-59

– ANDREAS GEROUDES 1964

– GEORGIOS ZACHARIA

– IACOVOS GEROUDES 1974

– PANAGIOTES ATHANASIOU

Every year a national memorial takes place and wreaths are deposited in a ceremony in front of the monument.

The Heroes’ Monument is on our right as we enter the “Panagia Odegetria” church in the middle of the village.

The expenses for the entire project were assumed by the brothers Andreas and Iacovos Philippou.

The sculptor who created the Heroes’ complex is Andros Kazamias.

Cyprus Galata Village EOKA Hideouts / The heroes of Galata

EOKA Hideouts / The heroes of Galata

Chrysanthos Mylonas

Chrysanthos Mylonas was an E.O.K.A. guerrilla while he was still a student at the 5 th grade of Solea’s High School. He was serving the cause along with his cousin Evagoras Papachristoforou. Both were murdered by the traitor Costas Ashiotes next to their hideout, in the Alignos venue of Galata on 7/10/1957.

Evagoras Papachrsistoforou

Evagoras Papachristoforou was born in Kato Amiantos and was a cousin of Chrysanthos Mylonas. He was the leader of the guerrilla group that had its hideout in the Alignos venue, about 5 kilometres west of Galata.

On the 7 th of October 1957, Costas Ashiotes “at noon murdered” the group leader inside the hideout while he was sleeping. The murderer “claimed that he acted so because he was afraid that he would murder him” (Memoirs of Georgios Griva Digeni). Later, around midnight of the same day, he also murdered Chrysanthos Mylonas who had just arrived in the hideout along with Charalambos Koukoularides, the two being the group’s suppliers.

Andreas Geroudes

Andreas Geroudes was a senior in the Pedagogical Academy when -during the Turkish insurrection of 1964 -he went to Pafos along with other youths in order to serve his country. He took part in the battle of Ktima, which took place on the 9 th of March 1964. There he died heroically in combat.

Iacovos Geroudes

Iacovos Geroudes was a brother of Andreas Geroudes. While driving his commander’s car in Keryneia, he was shot by the Turks that had then invaded the island and was killed. This happened on 22/7/1974.

Panagiotes Athanasiou

Panagiotes Athanasiou was serving in the National Guard during 1974. He was a machine gunner in the “Agios Pavlos” posts close to ELDYK (Greek Forces in Cyprus). On the 15 th of August Panagiotes was located in a trench with his machine gun. Two other manned trenches were positioned a few meters to the left and to the right of his trench. On that day hard and tenacious battles against the Turkish invaders were taking place. They were fighting heroically. The Turkish forces were many and managed to enter Panagiotes’s post. The were enraged because they saw many dead Turkish men. The immediately shot Panagiotes in cold blood along with his two comrades. He was buried in the Military cemetery of Lakatamia. Later, his bones were buried at the cemetery of his community in Galata.

Georgios Ioannou Zacharia

After graduating from Solea’s High School in 1971, Georgios Zacharia enlisted in the National Guard. He served for 13 months. He was an electrician. He was called to go up in Mount Pentadaktylos from Sichari of Keryneia were he was posted in order to repair the unit’s telephone. Because there wasn’t a jeep available to transfer him, he climbed up a water-wagon that was then heading there. At some point on the way the newly dug road subsided and the water-wagon tumbled. Private Georgios Zacharia was seriously wounded. He was transferred to the general Hospital of Nicosia where he died on the 22 nd of August 1972.

All Accommodation

Stis Andronikis
River Apartments
River Patio
Xenis House
Vengera Suites

The best Restaurant in the Village of Galata

To Giofirin Tis Galatas Restaurant

To Giofirin Tis Galatas Restaurant

TIME
10:30 a.m – 11:00 p.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 95113483
Plateia Galatas Kafestiatorio-Mezedopolio

Plateia Galatas Kafestiatorio-Mezedopolio

TIME
08:00 a.m – 22:00 p.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22923222

LOVE & EXPLORE GALATA VILLAGE

Kalopanayiotis Village

Written by Vartholomaios on 29/03/2022. Posted in Nicosia.

Kalopanayiotis Village in Cyprus

Kalopanayiotis Village

Nicosia

KALOPANAGIOTIS WEATHER

The beautiful village of Kalopanayiotis

Kalopanayiotis Village in Cyprus

Kalopanayiotis is located in the evergreen valley of Setrachos river on the northern slopes of the Troodos range. It is one of the fourteen villages of the Marathasa area, the most mountainous area of Cyprus. The village is 70 km away from Nicosia and Limassol and is the first village to come across as one enters the Marathasa valley driving up from Nicosia.

The House of Lavrentios
The Byzantine Museum

The House of Lavrentios

This was the martyrs’ Lavrentios family house which has been recently restored and converted into a conference and cultural center.

The Byzantine Museum

It is situated next to the Lampadistis monastery. Here one can find exhibited ecclesiastical artifax that survived though the centuries in the monastery and the other village churches.

The House of Lavrentios

This was the martyrs’ Lavrentios family house which has been recently restored and converted into a conference and cultural center.

The House of Lavrentios

This was the martyrs’ Lavrentios family house which has been recently restored and converted into a conference and cultural center. Lavrentios was the bishop of Kyrenia who was executed by the Ottoman Turks in 1821. He was born in Kalopanayiotis and lived the first 16 years of his life in the village attending school at the nearby monastery of Lampadistis. The museum of Lavrentios is housed in one of the ground floor rooms whose original character has not been altered.
The Byzantine Museum

It is situated next to the Lampadistis monastery. Here one can find exhibited ecclesiastical artifax that survived though the centuries in the monastery and the other village churches.

The Byzantine Museum

It is situated next to the Lampadistis monastery. Here one can find exhibited ecclesiastical artifax that survived though the centuries in the monastery and the other village churches. All the exhibits have been well maintained and preserved. The building served as the first primary school of the village. It was converted to a museum in October 2000.

Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Monastery
Ayios Andronikos and Saint Athanasia Chapel

Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Monastery

It is situated on the east side of the Setrachos river opposite the old village center. In 1985 UNESCO included the monastery together with eight other…

Ayios Andronikos and Saint Athanasia Chapel

This church is a remarkable ancient monument and enjoys the care of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus.

Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Monastery

It is situated on the east side of the Setrachos river opposite the old village center. In 1985 UNESCO included the monastery together with eight other…

Agios Ioannis Lampadistis Monastery

It is situated on the east side of the Setrachos river opposite the old village center. In 1985 UNESCO included the monastery together with eight other chapels on the Troodos range in the world heritage list. The monastery with its well preserved frescos, icons, wood carved doors etc is one of the most interesting byzantine sites of Cyprus and this together with the six other 13th – 17th century chapels rightly justify Kalopanayiotis being referred to as “the byzantine destination of Cyprus”. The katholicon (monastery church), which is dedicated to Saint Herakleidios, is dated to the 11th century. Among the wall-paintings of the narthex there is an inscription, dated to the 15th century, which describes this church as “katholiki”
Ayios Andronikos and Saint Athanasia Chapel

This church is a remarkable ancient monument and enjoys the care of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus.

Ayios Andronikos and Saint Athanasia Chapel

This church is a remarkable ancient monument and enjoys the care of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus. It consists of the sanctuary, the nave and narthex. He pointed tiled roof as almost all Byzantine churches of the village and retains a large number of frescoes of the 16th century. Unfortunately, the southern wall of the church collapsed due to poor maintenance and destroyed him and the wall paintings that adorned it.Today we can admire in the west pediment “Dramatic Crucifixion” and the arch of the sanctuary the Virgin between the archangels. In the northern wall there are zones with Saints as the Saints Vechianos, Peter and Paul, Anthony and Savvas Saint Barbara and Saint Friday. The venerated image of Saints Andronikos and Athanasia (13th-14th century) which was stolen in 1936 and found in New York after 70 years is one of the treasures of eikonofylakiou. The church celebrates on October 9.

Activities
and Attractions

Cyprus villages offers a variety of places to visit. Places, both familiar and unfamiliar, that will soothe you and provide you with utter serenity and beauty. From Kalopanagiotis to other villages, one can escape and experience a lovely and easygoing atmosphere.

Healing Waters in Cyprus

Healing Waters

Churches and Chapels in Kalopanagiotis in Cyprus

Churches and Chapels

Cycling

Cycling

It is countless trails in the area to individual roads suitable for this activity. Note that only the main road Kalopanayiotis – Troodos has a lot of traffic. The rural roads House Kalopanayiotis Moutoullas ideal for cycling (see. Kalopanayiotis Charter). In any accommodation rented bikes for the regulars.
Phototography

Phototography

The beauties and attractions impress visitors. Considered perfect destination for photography groups and generally for lovers of photographic art.

The Venetian Bridge in Cyprus

The Venetian Bridge

Architectural Heritage

Architectural Heritage

One of Kalopanayiotis main attractions is the large number of houses built in the old mountain village traditional style. Many of the old houses are built in this manner and the department of Antiquity has declared them “monuments” or “properties for preservation”. These houses are being gradually restored in co-operation with the antiquities department and converted into tourist accommodation units. The European Union has been very instrumental in facilitating finances for these projects.
Natural Spa

Natural Spa

The Kalopanagiotis is known as the chief spa town of Cyprus. The visitor here can benefit from the thermal baths of sulphurous waters, the spa, massage and swimming. These services are offered in some accommodation establishments.

The Watermill in Cyprus

The Watermill

Kalopanayiotis Cultural & Conference Centre in Cyprus

Kalopanayiotis Cultural
& Conference Centre

Excursions

Excursions

Visits to eat or rest at picnic sites like:

1) “Xerarkaka”, featuring a playground, benches, space for spit roasting and drinking water

2) Area of Thermal Springs, the watermill and the gorge Source for breakfast or snack

3) Picnic area of “Marathos” located on the road Pedoulas – Kakopetria and has drinking water, benches and space for roasting spit

4) Private farms or private riverside parks
Hiking or Running

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Hiking or Running

The beautiful trails in the village and surrounding countryside with breathtaking views and rich vegetation, nature trails along the river Setrachou challenge for hikers. “The Study of Nature Trail” is a unique experience.

Fishing

Fishing

In the dams of Kalopanayiotis and Poplar located in Village limits of Kalopanayiotis permitted fishing. The erasitexnes fishermen are keen for dams where trout. Trout survives in mountainous and hilly areas where the switching temperature of the water is steep for this trout do not exist in all dams.
Quad Bike Safari

Quad Bike Safari

Feel the excitement of driving a powerful four-wheel bike in some of the most stunning locations of the Cypriot countryside. The four-wheel motorcycle riding is not dependent on the weather and is therefore an activity for all time.

Excursions to the Surrounding Area in Cyprus

Excursions to the Surrounding Area

All Accommodation

Vasilikis House
Casale Panagiotis
Del Conte
Kalopanayiotis Museum Studio
Anastou’s Traditional House
ATRATSA Mountain Suites
Kalopanayiotis Cottage
I Plateia
Maison Elena
Hani Chrysomilou
This Traditional Stone Built Cottage

The best Restaurants in the Village of Kalopanayiotis

Theoxenia Kalopanayiotis

Theoxenia Kalopanayiotis

TIME
10:00 am – 11:00 pm FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22 952000
Pantheon

Pantheon

TIME
10:00 am – 22:00 pm FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22 952444
Byzantino Restaurant

Byzantino Restaurant

TIME
12:30 am – 11:00 pm FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22 952444
Restaurant Loutraki

Restaurant Loutraki

TIME
12:00 am – 22:00 pm FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22 952444

LOVE & EXPLORE KALOPANAYIOTIS VILLAGE

Pedoulas Village

Written by Vartholomaios on 15/11/2021. Posted in Nicosia, Troodos Villages.

Pedoulas Village in Cyprus

Pedoulas Village

Nicosia

PEDOULAS WEATHER

The beautiful village of Pedoulas

Pedoulas Village in Cyprus

Pedoulas is situated on the northern flanks of the Troodos range, 1200 meters, above sea level, and is thw loftiest village of the Marathasa valley.Its history dates back in the Byzantine times. According to tradition, Pedoulas, as well as many other Marathasa settlements, were established during the Byzantine period, when the Arab raids forced the Cypriots to leave the coastal areas and move to safer places in the mountains.

Folkloric Museum
Byzantine Museum

Folkloric Museum

In this establishment, historic items of people’s everyday life are exhibited.There are items that reflect a long forgotten…

Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum is located opposite the Byzantine Church of the Archangelos Michael. It was established in 1999..

Folkloric Museum

In this establishment, historic items of people’s everyday life are exhibited.There are items that reflect a long forgotten…

Folkloric Museum

In this establishment, historic items of people’s everyday life are exhibited. There are items that reflect a long forgotten way of life, the occupations and customs of the villagers many years ago. All these have established the historical and cultural heritage of the village.
Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum is located opposite the Byzantine Church of the Archangelos Michael. It was established in 1999..

Byzantine Museum

The Byzantine Museum is located opposite the Byzantine Church of the Archangelos Michael. It was established in 1999 to house and preserve exclusively icons and holy objects, taken from the six ancient Byzantine Chapels of the village.

Archangelos Unesco Church
Timios Stavros Church

Timios Stavros Church

The impressive church of the Holy Cross, in the centre of the village, with its large central dome and two tall belfries…

Archangelos Unesco Church

One of the most significant sites of interest in Pedoulas is the church of Archangelos Michael, dating back in 1474…

Archangelos Unesco Church

One of the most significant sites of interest in Pedoulas is the church of Archangelos Michael, dating back in 1474…

Archangelos Unesco Church

One of the most significant sites of interest in Pedoulas is the church of Archangelos Michael, dating back in 1474, it is one of the ten churches on the World Heritage List and is considered one of the most important Byzantine churches in Cyprus. Its walls are covered with superb frescoes.
Timios Stavros Church

The impressive church of the Holy Cross, in the centre of the village, with its large central dome and two tall belfries…

Timios Stavros Church

The impressive church of the Holy Cross, in the centre of the village, with its large central dome and two tall belfries, is another site of interest, dating back to 1935. Its beautiful iconostasis and vividly coloured wall paintings are also features of interest. Within the church a very precious Cross is kept. One of its sides is gold-plated and represents the Nativity while the other side represents the Crucifixion. Inside the Cross there are original relics of Saints.

Activities
and Attractions

Cyprus’s agrotourism offers a variety of places to visit. Places, both familiar and unfamiliar, that will soothe you and provide you with utter serenity and beauty. From Pedoulas to other villages, one can escape and experience a lovely and easygoing atmosphere.

25 Meters Cross

Cherry Festival in Cyprus

Cherry Festival

Makarios Statue

Makarios Statue

The statue of the late Archbishop Makarios the III, the first President of the Cyprus Republic, was erected in Ilisia Square in 1981 as an expression of honor and gratitude in memory of a great leader.
Natural Trails

Learn More

Water Springs

Water Springs

Βecause of the proximity to the forest, there is abundant supply of water from natural springs. Very tasteful and digestive. It is considered to be among the best drinking waters of the island.
The Old Cedar

The Old Cedar

The famous cedar tree of Pedoulas, at the outskirts of the village, on the left of the main road to Kalopanagiotis. Its about five centuries old, has a height of 18 meters and an 80cm diameter trunk.

Cycling Routes in Cyprus

Cycling Routes

All Accommodation

Elyssia Hotel
Mountain Rose Garden Hotel
Christys Palace Hotel
Two Flowers Hotel
Vasiliki Guest House

The best Restaurants in the Village of Pedoulas

Elyssia Restaurant

Elyssia Restaurant

The restaurant and cafeteria of the Elyssia Hotel offer an exceptional array of homemade Cypriot dishes, traditional sweets, crepes and coffees.

TIME
10:00 AM – 22:00 PM FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22953737
Platanos Restaurant

Platanos Restaurant

Platanos restaurant of the well known Mr Louis has now extended its services to clients with high expectations by offering them an unforgettable stay in spacious and fully furnished apartments near the restaurant.

Visitors can now enjoy the comfort and splendour of the Cypriot house, the magic and beauty of the scenery, the calm of nature, the excellent food and the unique hospitality of Louis, that quarantees memorable holidays.

TIME
11:00 AM – 22:00 FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22953737

LOVE & EXPLORE PEDOULAS VILLAGE

Watch Video

Kakopetria Village

Written by TBdZnW84bLxB7pWX on 27/09/2021. Posted in Nicosia, Nicosia villages.

Kakopetria Village in Cyprus

Kakopetria Village

Nicosia

KAKOPETRIA WEATHER

The beautiful village of Kakopetria

Kakopetria Village in Cyprus

Kakopetria is located south-west of the capital Nicosia and it is built upon the foothill of the Troodos Mountain -specifically in the north side of the mountain range. It is a village of the Nicosia district and stands at a distance of about 55 kilometres from the capital and about 55 kilometres from the second largest city of Cyprus, Limassol.

Kakopetria is located south-west of the capital Nicosia and it is built upon the foothill of the Troodos Mountain -specifically in the north side of the mountain range.

It is a village of the Nicosia district and stands at a distance of about 55 kilometres from the capital and about 55 kilometres from the second largest city of Cyprus, Limassol. It stands at an altitude of 667 metres (it is the highest village in the valley of the “Solea” region), the climate is rather dry, and it receives an average annual rainfall of about 648 millimetres. Fruit-bearing trees (mainly apple, pear, plum, apricot, peach, and cherry trees), vegetables (mainly potatoes and tomatoes), vines (of table and wine-making varieties), and a few cereals are cultivated in its area. Kakopetria is especially known for the quality of its apples.

The community has about 1300 permanent inhabitants. It is ridden with vegetation, amidst the banks of the Kargotis and Garillis rivers. The two rivers join inside the village and form the river Klarios, which crosses the valley of Solea and then flows into the Morfou Bay, in Pentagia. With regards to the name of the village, there are the following 3 versions:

• It is said that Kakopetria took this name (a compound of the words “Kako” and “Petra”, meaning bad / rough and stone / rock) because in older times its area was not only rocky but also difficult to climb to.

• Close to the large bridge at the village’s entrance, there is a big rock known as “Petra tou Androgynou” (Couples’ Rock). According to tradition, newly-wed couples would sit on this rock. One day the rock rolled over and buried a newly-wed couple under it. After this event the inhabitants named the rock “Kakopetra” (Bad Rock) and then the village itself was named “Kakopetria”.

• Another version reports that some nobleman from Marathasa had 3 sons. They were Nikos, Panagiotis, and Petris (Peter). Petris was mischievous, uptight, unbearable, and evil. His brothers were tired of him and asked their father to send him away. So, the father sent Petris to the other side of the mountain. In that way, Petris arrived in the area of the old village. He was the first settler. Combining the words “Kakos” (bad / evil) and “Petris”, the village received the name of Kakopetria. The other two brothers founded two other villages, Nikos establishing the village Oikos (“Nikos” without the N, becoming “Ikos”), and Panagiotis -being so kind and compassionate -founded the village Kalopanagiotis (“Kalos” meaning Good / Kind).

The settlement of Kakopetria, although mentioned by the Mediaeval annalists, existed -at least -since the Frank domination era, because it is marked in old maps and, indeed, under the same name: Cacopetria and / or Chachopetria . It is however quite probable that there were settlements in the region even before that, during the Byzantine era. The village’s region was inhabited around the 6 th – 7 th century and the various excavations that have been conducted in 1938 around the old village of Kakopetria (in the Ailades venue) prove this. During the excavations a dispenser of an ancient shrine -most probably belonging to the goddess Athena -came to light. A large number of movable findings were found, mainly terra-cotta, many of which depict the goddess Athena, as well as small, limestone, statues and parts of statues, and bronze and iron shafts from spearheads and arrows. The findings most probably date back to the Archaic and Classic eras of Cyprus. Other statuettes represent Hercules and are an indication that he was also worshiped in the area along with the goddess Athena. These findings are found in the Archaeological Museum of Nicosia.

The settlement of Kakopetria is constructed along the valley of the Kargotis and Garillis rivers. The new Kakopetria with its large, modern houses and their tiled roofs, built in the gradient ground and the riverbanks, is located in the eastern part of the valley. The old Kakopetria is built west of the valley and between the two rivers. The roofs of the houses are sloped and tiled and almost all of the houses have an upper floor and a wooden balcony.

Many years ago, the region of new Kakopetria belonged to the Holy Monastery of “Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis”. After many years it was passed to the hands of the Holy Archdiocese of Cyprus. In 1922 the Archdiocese separated the land into 120 building plots that were shared to the inhabitants by lot. Ever since then, the raising of new houses started and also the planting of trees in the new village with its towering and fresh plane-trees, as well as the planting of trees in the -now -celebrated plaza of the village. Kakopetria was for many years a village renowned for its silkworm breeding and the production -and also the processing -of silk, until even after W.W.II. Indeed, it is mentioned that during the years of W.W.II the British took all of the silk production from Kakopetria (like they did with the production from other villages in Cyprus) for the making of parachutes.

Kakopetria, because of its healthy and cool climate, its picturesque landscape (towering over the Kargotis valley while Troodos rises over it), the wonderful natural environment, the rich vegetation, the cool and gargling waters, the folkloric heritage, and the relatively small distance from Nicosia and Limassol, naturally drew the attention of many rich families for vacation purposes during the months of summer.

The presence of these “outlander” families in the community goes way back, since 1918, when the first travellers arrived at the village with wagons and stayed in rented houses. The frequent visits of local and foreign visitors in Kakopetria provided motives to the community’s inhabitants and so they developed Kakopetria with regards to tourism.

As basic factors for the success in attracting tourists to the community of Kakopetria, among others, we can consider the warm hospitality that characterises its inhabitants, their proper behaviour, the impeccable service, the conscious effort for cleanliness, and the correct development of constructions that is done by many of the village’s inhabitants, as well as a number of other comforts that the inhabitants of Kakopetria offer to local and foreign tourists with great joy and satisfaction.

“Linos” Museum
“Eliomylos” Museum

“Linos” Museum

“Linos” Museum is housed in a building on Old Kakopetria Street. It consists of three thematic sections, with the first one being dedicated to

“Eliomylos” Museum

The Museum is housed in the yard of the Church of Soteros, at the old picturesque neighbourhood of Kakopetria.

“Linos” Museum

“Linos” Museum is housed in a building on Old Kakopetria Street. It consists of three thematic sections, with the first one being dedicated to

“Linos” Museum

“Linos” Museum is housed in a building on Old Kakopetria Street. It consists of three thematic sections, with the first one being dedicated to wine, the second one to bread and the third one to olive oil.

The building housing Linos has been leased by Mr. Stelios Alkiviades in the year 2000. In fact, the latter has begun a partial gentrification of the building. Some years ago, the Pancyprian Organisation of Architectural Heritage (POAK), in cooperation with the Department of Town Planning and Housing have renovated the building using European funds.

Touring the Museum

Linos maintains two halls on the ground floor and two more on the first floor. In the first hall of the ground floor, where the lobby is also located, visitors can see the dews where the donkeys used to eat. These were placed at a particular place so that the donkeys could eat after the corves filled with grapes were unloaded in the main hall of Linos where the production of wine used to take place.

Moving on from the lobby towards the main hall of Linos, one can see a big tank where the entire grape production used to be placed, as well as a tool – a large lever – which used to be pushed by the donkeys with the help of at least two people. This lever would press and squash the grapes with great force while bouncing up and down. Next, the grape juice would flow in large clay jars. In the same hall there used to be a machine used for processing quality grapes.

In the halls of the first floor there is pictorial material and films which show the history of the Museum, as well as images from the various thematic sections of the Museum, with these being, as it has been mentioned above, the sections of wine, bread and olive oil.
“Eliomylos” Museum

The Museum is housed in the yard of the Church of Soteros, at the old picturesque neighbourhood of Kakopetria.

“Eliomylos” Museum

The Museum is housed in the yard of the Church of Soteros, at the old picturesque neighbourhood of Kakopetria.

The old olive mill with the distinctive millstone displayed at the museum today is no longer in operation. The traditional mill consisted of 2 stones. The first one was called “skoutellin” and the second one millstone. The “skoutellin” is actually a round stone that was used as a basin, while the millstone is also a round stone with a hole in the centre where a horizontal post was placed. The millstone, as the residents of Kakopetria describe, would rotate with the help of men pushing the post. More specifically, the two men would stand at each edge of the post moving circularly around the millstone, this way managing to squash the olives that had been previously placed under it.

Immediately afterwards, this mash, as the people of Kakopetria continue to describe, would be placed in the “zembylia” which would then be pressed by the vice causing the olive oil to flow.

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco Church
Agios Panteleimon Church

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco Church

“Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis” (literally, Saint Nicholas of the Roof), located close to the mountainous Kakopetria, is the only…

Agios Panteleimon Church

With donations and after an initiative by the inhabitants of the Kakopetria community, the -now -main church of the…

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco Church

“Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis” (literally, Saint Nicholas of the Roof), located close to the mountainous Kakopetria, is the only…

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco Church

“Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis” (literally, Saint Nicholas of the Roof), located close to the mountainous Kakopetria, is the only thing remaining from an old monastery. As it is made obvious by the church, the monastery was established in the 11 th century. However, we have no other information about it. The ceramic (brick and tile) decor of the church associates it with Constantinople and the Greek region in general. The monastery seems to have flourished both during the Middle Byzantine era as well as the Frank domination era, judging by the repeated decoration of the church with frescoes and the large -dedicated by a Frank Knight at the end of the 13 th century -icon of St Nicholas. The monastery seems to have already declined by the 17 th century and dispersed at the end of that century. When in 1735 the Russian monk Basil Barsky visited it, he met some monks there too. Later on, the estates of the monastery were leased to clergymen and by the end of the 19 th century to laymen.

The “Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis” church is of the cross-in-a-box style with a dome.

UNESCO has included the church of “St Nicholas of the Roof” in the list of Worldwide Cultural heritage, because of its special value.
Agios Panteleimon Church

With donations and after an initiative by the inhabitants of the Kakopetria community, the -now -main church of the…

Agios Panteleimon Church

The Museum is housed in the yard of the Church of Soteros, at the old picturesque neighbourhood of Kakopetria.

With donations and after an initiative by the inhabitants of the Kakopetria community, the -now -main church of the village was recently constructed. The re-construction of the church started in 1989 and ended in 1994. It is a rather large church with a capacity of 700 persons.

Architecturally, it is built in the Byzantine style with a dome. Externally it is coated with plaster and temporarily whitewashed -although there are plans for a facing made with local stone.

Internally the church has started being covered with frescoes. Above the chancel there is the fresco of the “Platytera” and further above those of the “Resurrection”, the “Annunciation”, and various other frescoes with representations of saints. The icon screen, which has three gates, the “Orea Pyli” (Beautiful gate) in the centre, the other two to the left and to the right, is woodcut; the same goes for the Psalters and the High Priest’s throne. In the west side of the church at the “Narthex”, beneath the women’s loft, there is a special kneeling desk where the icon dedicated to St Panteleimon lies. There -by the Narthex -are two arches, one to the left and one to the right. There are plans to have a special area there for a baptistery in the future. Quite important is the presence of the amphitheatre-like women’s loft, which allows the faithful to observe the various religious ceremonies in comfort.

The memory of St Panteleimon is celebrated on the 27 th of July, when many Christians from the surrounding regions attend this great holiday.

Activities
and Attractions

Cyprus agrotourism offers a variety of places to visit. Places, both familiar and unfamiliar, that will soothe you and provide you with utter serenity and beauty. From Kakopetria to other villages, one can escape and experience a lovely and easygoing atmosphere.

Old Kakopetria in Cyprus

Old Kakopetria

Palia Kakopetria (the old part of the village) is the most beautiful and picturesque part of the village and it is built on the place where Kakopetria had first arisen (Old Village). Today, this part of the village is actually on the west side of the village, and more specifically it emerges from the left side of the valley Solia. Palia Kakopetria is surrounded by two rivers: Karkotis and Garilis.

The architecture of Palia Kakopetria will attract and amaze you with its distinct character. The houses are all built very close to each other and almost all of them have two floors. The roofs of the houses seem to be united as a big imaginable road.

The little houses have sloping and tiled roofs which are based on wooden beams. Each house has a beautiful wooden balcony which gives a magic color to the image of the village. They are made of adobes and big stones found in the rivers of the village.

The first floor of each house was used as a warehouse where they kept big clay-jars full of wine or other foods but also the people who had animals used to put them there. The families lived usually on the first floor, which in the Cypriot dialect was called “anoyi” or “makrinari”.

Every house had a little yard where they usually kept logs which were used in the mud-oven and in the “tsiminia” which is something similar to the fireplace.

Among the traditional and picturesque houses of Kakopetria lies a tortuous stone made road. Within the efforts for the embellishment of Palia Kakopetria, a sewage system was put below the stone made road.

The traditional architecture and building of the houses offer to the village a special color. The entire village is a unique sample of original folk architecture.

The inhabitants of the village have contributed to the conservation of the folk architecture of the village as they began restoring their houses on their own but also according to the guidelines of the Department of Antiquities. The first houses were restored in 1980.

Both the participation of the inhabitants of Kakopetria and the governmental services have ensured the renaissance of the traditional architecture of the village. Palia Kakopetria is under the protection of the Department of Antiquities and it is classified as an ancient monument.

After the classification of Kakopetria by the Department of Antiquities as an ancient monument, more restorations have begun. For example an old wine press and a watermill were repaired.

Palia Kakopetria is a vivid museum of folk tradition and architecture and offers to every visitor amazing landscapes and many elements of the Cypriot civilization.

Petra tou Antrogynou in Cyprus

Petra tou Antrogynou

Kakopetria Forest

Kakopetria Forest

Dominating pine-trees, platan-trees and poplars prevail in the green scenery, in contrast to acacias and oak trees which only constitute minor “brushworks” of this idyllic picture. This “image of natural vegetation” is completed, as Karouzis characteristically remarks, by “wild olive trees, Cistaceae and other types of wild vegetation”.

Cultivated at the village are several fruit-baring trees such as apple, pear, plum, cherry trees, apricot and fig trees, as well as vegetables. Particularly recognized are the apples produced in Kakopetria known as “kakopetritika”, the naming of which derives from their place of production.

Also distinguished, as Karouzis distinctively describes, is the “abundance of grape pergolas, which can either be found above the verandas of the houses or in the small broken fields. These pergolas supply the residents and the market of Lefkosia with late “veriko” type grapes”.

Kakopetria is ideal for nature lovers since, apart from the green beauties, the village maintains the “Trail of Atalanti” which begins from the location “Chromio” and ends at the “Troodos Square”.
Central Square

Central Square

The beautiful central square of Kakopetria with the tall plane trees and coffee shops, where you can try the traditional homemade sweets of the area and you can sit round the fireplace during the winter . The square it’s just a few minutes away from the old quarter of the village which is a listed area with cobbled streets where old houses have been carefully restored or reconstructed.

Cycling Routes in Cyprus

Cycling Routes

River Clarios

River Clarios

A green veil created with nature’s most beautiful colours covers the village of Kakopetria. Pieces of land covered with wild vegetation mingle with cultivated pieces of land creating a magical scenery.

This idyllic image of the village is completed by the two side-rivers of the River Clarios which are united in the heart of Kakopetria, freely giving their water to the village. Kakopetria constantly enjoys the sound of the streams which create a sweet melody which in turn provides peace and quiet.
Watermills

Watermills

For this famous watermill there are also some other documents. The mill was built by a deacon of Saint Nicholas monastery in 1754. The documents which were found agree that this mill belonged to the Archbishop and then it was rented to others. Some time later, the archbishop decided to sell it. Information that we have, claims that the Archbishop sold it for three hundred pounds and another one says that five other people bought it together, for two hundred and fifty pounds.

After the cesation of its operations, the “Milos tis Gonias” was restored, in 1980. The mill of Hadjistavros was demolished. The first one is nowadays a tourist sight and its present owner is Aristeidis Papa.

The people who visit the Mill can learn some basic things on its operation and the history of the mills in Cyprus. When you enter the premises of the mill you will see a rectangular wooden tub, which is narrower at the bottom. In this tub they used to put cereals, wheat and barley. On the millstone they used to place a special lever which grinded the cereals in small or coarse grains.

On the millstones there was an axle, sometimes wooden and sometimes iron made. The axle began its operation when the water entered in the water wheel. The water begun its course in the headrace, then it continued in a wooden channel and then after a vertical fall it entered in a special water hole, which is built on the side of the water wheel. After this course, the force of the water caused the operation of the millstones.

Through the description of the Mills, we can see that the inhabitants of Kakopetria exploited perfectly the water of the village. We can also discover the cultural and historical side of the village.

Nature Trails in Cyprus

Nature Trails

Platania Picnic and Camping Site

Agios Nikolaos Water Company

Agios Nikolaos Water Company

Set near the village of Kakopetria, in the heart of Troodos Mountains, a mineral water plant has been designed and built to the highest European standards at the Saint Nicholas source.

The remarkable purity of SAINT NICHOLAS water is owed both to the location of the source far from residential or polluted areas and to the bottling procedure of the water in environmentally friendly P.E.T. bottles produced on site prior to filling.

In a reaserch study carried out by the National Center of Science Research “DEMOCRITOS” (Athens, Greece), the water from the Saint Nicholas source was found to be at least 370 years old…! Ageing long before any possible contamination caused by human activity related to environment pollution.

In April 2000, the European Union officially certified SAINT NICHOLAS a Natural Mineral Water.
Kakopetria Old Power Station

Kakopetria Old Power Station

The Kakopetria power station began its operation at the beginning of the 20th century specifically in 1926 due to the initiative of Christos Vasiliou, a resident of the village. The source of energy of the power station was water, giving it a special place in the history of electricity in Cyprus.

The creation of hydro-electricity in Kakopetria and the personal endeavours of Vasiliou are related to one another. Vasiliou managed to succeed in founding the power station, mainly due to his devotion to power the village, rather than to his knowledge of the matter. His knowledge was limited to the small power generating plant which he used at his job in the Amiantos mines. In 1926, having returned from the Amiantos mine, with his wife by his side, he made an attempt to put into motion the power station project something that at the time seemed nearly impossible. It was then when Christos and his wife Orthodoxia decided to sell all their property to achieve their goal which was to purchase a part of church land on the banks of the Klariou River, namely Karkoti or otherwise known as the Kappadoukas area. This was to be the place where the couple’s dream with come true. After hard work, they managed to initially construct a wooden tower which was later replaced by a concrete structure having first completed a series of necessary tests. The project was finally completed in mid September of 1927.

According to the son of the Vasiliou couple, the hydroelectric power station had the following structure: It was composed by a tower (50 meters) with an opening of around 2 meters. The tower was joined with a concrete channel. Water ran through this channel into the hole causing the runner to begin functioning. The runner then activated the machine which ultimately provided the electric power.

When the power station was finally in a position to offer its services to the community, some “electrical installations” started taking place in a few homes. The houses were connected to the power station via cables which passed through logs. Each house which requested electricity, had one lamp, and the cost to the house-owners was two shillings per month. Supply of electricity was now feasible, and on the evening of the 17th September 1927, the residents all gathered in the central square of Kakopetria to see and admire the new power station which was accomplished after the hard work and countless efforts of the Vasiliou couple. That night, as the runner began working and the village was illuminated, people of the village witnessed an important event for the history of the entire island. The power station of Kakopetria, which used water as the main source of electric power, was the first one of its kind on the island.

During the first years of the establishment of the power station, people were very dubious about Vasiliou’s achievement to the point that they even hindered its operation. It is notable that at the time on thirty houses had been connected to the grid. Even more notable was the fact that often the main source of the station’s energy, the water, was diverted with the excuse that it was needed for agricultural usage.

At the beginnings of the operation of the power station, it worked for restricted hours always according to the flow of water. For example, during winter, the power station produced electric power till one o’clock in the afternoon and during summer for fewer hours, due to the lack of water supply. It was not possible to operate, as we mentioned above, when the farmers diverted the flow of the water to their plantations.

Despite all these obstacles, Christos Vasiliou managed to impart his passion and knowledge to his son Andreas. In 1947, Andreas had become an expert in electrical installations, according to the pertinent regulations of the department of Public Works. Thanks to the new know-how and the increased needs of the village, the installations have expanded and diesel engines were bought and installed. The operation of the cinema “Orpheas” was also due to the efforts of Christos Vasiliou.

The use of diesel engines for the production of electric power gradually expanded in the village and for a short period of time both the diesel engines and the power station operated together to cover the needs of the community. The diesel engines functioned during summer, when the quantity of water was reduced, and the power station functioned during winter.

The provision of electric power became an obligation of the government some years later and Christos Vasiliou, known as the “Electrician of Kakopetria”, was no longer responsible for powering the village but it was now the state’s responsibility.

Nowadays, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus is cooperating with the Community Council of Kakopetria and is trying to restore the hydroelectric power station of the area. They are replacing various mechanical parts of the station to make it functional with the intent of converting it into a museum.

All Accommodation

Linos Inn
Ekali Hotel
Evmelia Kakopetria Suites
The Mill Hotel
Christos House

The best Restaurants in the Village of Kakopetria

Platinum Cafe Restaurant

Platinum Cafe Restaurant

Enjoy your coffee or anything you choose from our rich menu, play backgammon with your friends, cards with your company, pool with your buddy or several electronic games. You can also surf to the internet using our computers or your own laptops.

Make sure you try our crepes, waffles, cypriot traditional sweets,ice creams and many other delicious sweets. If you are hungry you can try something delicious from a variety of plates we offer.

Are you a football fan? Here is your place to watch several football games and many other sports events on our TV screens.

Enjoy all these with the best and fastest service. Our scope is nothing else but to fulfil your expectations. Make Platinum Café-Restaurant an unforgettable experience in beautiful Kakopetria.

TIME
10:00 a.m – 21:00 a.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22813999
Mylos Restaurant

Mylos Restaurant

TIME
10:00 a.m – 21:00 a.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22922536
Chrysanthis Cafe Restaurant

Chrysanthis Cafe Restaurant

TIME
12:00 a.m – 22:00 a.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22922202
Restaurant / Swimming Pool

Restaurant / Swimming Pool

TIME
10:00 a.m – 18:00 a.m FOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22922100

LOVE & EXPLORE KAKOPETRIA VILLAGE

Watch Video

Palaichori Morphou

Palaichori Morphou

The beautiful village of Palaichori

Palaichori Morphou

Museums

Museum of Byzantine Heritage

EOKA Hideout 1955-59

The House – Museum of Polykarpos Georgadjis

Metamorfosis tou Sotiros Church

Church of Panagia Chrysopantanassa

Metamorfosis tou Sotiros Church

Metamorfosis tou Sotiros Church

Church of Panagia Chrysopantanassa

Church of Panagia Chrysopantanassa

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco Church

Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco Church

Agios Panteleimon Church

Agios Panteleimon Church

Activities and Attractions

E.O.K.A Heroes Monuments

E.O.K.A Heroes Monuments

Petra tou Antrogynou

Petra tou Antrogynou

Kakopetria Forest

Kakopetria Forest

Central Square

Central Square

Cycling Routes

Cycling Routes

River Clarios

River Clarios

Watermills

Watermills

Nature Trails

Nature Trails

Platania Picnic and Camping Site

Platania Picnic and Camping Site

Agios Nikolaos Water Company

Agios Nikolaos Water Company

Kakopetria Old Power Station

Kakopetria Old Power Station

All Accommodation

Linos Inn

Ekali Hotel

Evmelia Kakopetria Suites

The Mill Hotel

Christos House

The best Restaurants in the Village of Kakopetria

Platinum Cafe Restaurant

Mylos Restaurant

Chrysanthis Cafe Restaurant

Restaurant / Swimming Pool

LOVE & EXPLORE KAKOPETRIA VILLAGE

Galata Village

Galata Village

The beautiful village of Galata

Galata Village

“Folkloric Art” Museum

The Museum of Folkloric Art

The Museum of Folkloric Art

“Folkloric Art” Museum

The Museum of Folkloric Art

Panagia tis Podithou Unesco Church

Panagia Odigitria Church

Panagia tis Podithou Unesco Church

Panagia tis Podithou Unesco Church

Panagia Odigitria Church

Panagia Odigitria Church

Panagia tis Podithou Unesco Church

Panagia tis Podithou Unesco Church

Panagia Odigitria Church

Panagia Odigitria Church

Activities and Attractions

Old Buildings

Old Galata

Water Mills

Water Mills

River Clarios

River Clarios

Galatas Fountains

Activities
and Attractions

Activities
and Attractions

Activities
and Attractions

Kalopanayiotis Cultural
& Conference Centre