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BookingKakopetria Village
The beautiful village of Kakopetria
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 Village
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.
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“Linos” Museum
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“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
“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco Church
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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 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.
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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
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
Petra tou Antrogynou
The “Petra tou Antrogynou” (stone of the married couple) is situated in the entrance of Palia Kakopetria, near the upgrade road that leads to the church of Transfiguration.
There are many traditions related to the “Petra tou Antrogynou”. Each couple after their wedding they went to the big stone where a special ceremony took place.
First of all, the couple should walk around the stone and then sit on it. Then, all the friends of the couple congratulated them and wished them to have a happy marriage.
Another version of the custom says that the couple just sat on the stone so that their marriage would be very happy.
These traditions give an excellent explanation to the name of the stone, and they offer a special “scent” to the customs of Kakopetria.
On the other hand the “Petra tou Antrogynou” is related with an unpleasant event, which took place in the village. After one wedding ceremony, a couple went to the stone in order to realize the above custom. Unfortunately the stone started to move and crushed a couple of the guests.
Another tradition says that the village “Kakopetria”, which in Greek means bad stone, was given after the unpleasant story that took place at the “Petra tou Antrogynou”.
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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”.
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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
Cycling Routes
Follow the Troodos cycling routes or even make your own. Set the pace you desire whether training or leisure and fill your lungs with fresh air while doing your bit to fight global warming and protect the environment.
Take Me There
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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.
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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
Nature Trails
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.
Take Me There
Platania Picnic and Camping Site
Platania Picnic and Camping Site
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.
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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.
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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
The best Restaurants in the Village of Kakopetria
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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.mFOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22813999
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Mylos Restaurant
Mylos Restaurant
TIME
10:00 a.m – 21:00 a.mFOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22922536 -
Chrysanthis Cafe Restaurant
Chrysanthis Cafe Restaurant
TIME
12:00 a.m – 22:00 a.mFOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22922202 -
Restaurant / Swimming Pool
Restaurant / Swimming Pool
TIME
10:00 a.m – 18:00 a.mFOR RESERVATIONS
Tel: +357 22922100
