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Lofou is built in a circular pattern on hills, at an altitude of 780 meters and has a total of about 650 centimeters in annual rainfall. It is surrounded by mountains with narrow and steep versants…
Lofou Village
The village of Lofou is in the district of the ‘ampelochoria’ between Limassol and Paphos, about 26 kilometers northwest of the city of Limassol.
Lofou is built in a circular pattern on hills, at an altitude of 780 meters and has a total of about 650 centimeters in annual rainfall. It is surrounded by mountains with narrow and steep versants. The landscape is divided by two rivers that are canals of ‘Kryos’ and ‘Kouris’, which both come from the river ‘Kouris’.
Lofou is connected with nearby villages by asphalted lanes. It is connected with ‘Pera Pedi’ village in the north (at a distance of 6.5 km) and from the southwest with ‘Saint Therapon’ village (at a distance of 4.5 km). In the southeast it used to be connected with ‘Alassa’ village. The whole village was reconstructed in another location as it was flooded by ‘Kouris’ weir. From the east side, Lofou is connected with the villages of ‘Sylikou’, ‘Monagri’ and ‘Doros’.
Today, it takes about 25 minutes to reach the village for someone setting out from Limassol. Driving up the main road that leads to Platres and making a left turn after Alassa village (current position), the visitor may be able to reach the village within 15 minutes.
The village is built on a hill between mountains and gets its name based on this fact. The name Lofou was inspired by the Greek word ‘lofos’ which means ‘hill’. The original name of the village was “Lofos” since the early 20th century. Simos Menandros (1970) supports that the renaming of the village from “Lofos” to “Lofou” may be attributed to a linguistic change in the everyday language of local farmers. Therefore, ‘Lofou’ ended up having a female gender because of a linguistic change in morphology. ‘Lofou’ is the name by which the village is nowadays widely known and referred to. There are no historical findings that may help us define the exact date on which ‘Lofou’ was founded. The area must have been inhabited since the Bronze Age. This fact may be verified by the various archeological findings, particularly by the ancient pots that they were scattered around the area of the village.
The dominant view regards that the village must have been founded some years before Cyprus was occupied by the Franks in the late 12th century. During that time and because of the Arab raids, the locals were forced to abandon the coasts and move to the inner parts of the island in order to find refuge. The location of the village was truly ideal for their needs since it is hidden in the mountains and, as a consequence, it provided a sense of security.
The first written evidence of the village’s existence dates back to the Frankish times of Cyprus. According to a medieval handwritten document by Leontios Machairas, Lofou along with other villages was handed over by King Jacob I (1382-1398) who ruled Cyprus, to his brother Janot de Luzinian, Lord of Beirut. According to a Venetian handwritten script provided by Mas Latri (1861) and which dates back to the late 15th century, Lofou was included in the list of villages that were considered property of the king of Cyprus. Mas Latri refers to the village using the name ‘Lofou’.
There are historical records which report that shepherds who inhabited the area of ‘Finika’ used to herd their flocks at a distance that reached the present location of the village. They also used to overnight in a cave near the village that still exists today. The first houses in Lofou were actually farms scattered around the valley of the village. The shepherds gradually built huts which they called “stiathkia’ and at a later stage they built houses using stones whose roofs were made of wood and mud or clay (Porakos, 2004).
During the Ottoman rule, the village belonged to the ‘kaza of Koilani’ and it was registered under the name “Lofos” (Papadopoulos, 1965). In 1832, according to T. Papadopoulos (1965, p. 208) Lofou had only Greek Cypriot residents. Mas Latri also mentions that according to the census that was carried out in 1862, the village exceeded the 200 inhabitants. Towards the end of the Ottoman rule two notable events occurred: the construction of the church of Lofou the beginning of an organized form of primary school in 1855.
Lofou was transformed into an enormous vineyard during the period of British rule. The continuous planting of vines changed the entirely the view of the village. The sight was majestic when the vines were blossoming amongst the beautifully constructed and well preserved terraces. The locals were also engaged in cultivating cereals and locust trees.
In the following decade, Lofou and Cyprus in general, underwent a severe economical and political crisis. At this period, the daily life of farmers became really difficult and for some it was almost unbearable. Residents were forced to sell their properties at ridiculously low prices, since they were no longer able to borrow money. In the same period, there was also an intensified political situation at Lofou and in Cyprus in general. The expectations of Cypriots for unification with Greece were not fulfilled. The British Government denied their request and this caused a general disappointment to the public and sharpened the political passions.
Regarding the relation between Ypsonas and Lofou, it is widespread perception that the village of Ypsonas, one of the largest villages in Limassol district, was founded in the 19th century by the inhabitants of Lofou. However, this assumption is not true. What can be said is that Ypsonas already existed as a settlement since the medieval times and in modern times it was inhabited by the people of Lofou around 1770. Until the early years of the 20th century, the residents of Ypsonas were very few. Gradually, more and more farmers from Lofou started moving permanently to Ypsonas. During the British rule in Cyprus, it was noted steady population decline of Lofou for the benefit of Ypsonas. After First World War and especially after Second World War, there was an impressive increase in the population of Ypsonas accompanied by a dramatic decrease in the population of Lofou.
The years of the Cyprus Republic confirm that the population increase of Ypsonas and the population decline of Lofou are two final events. The period 1946 – 1986 may be characterized as a ‘blessing and a curse’ for Lofou. “Curse” because the village was abandoned by its inhabitants and vibrancy was lost from the daily routine of the remaining residents. That period was also a ‘blessing’ for the village because, in general, it remained intact, without any substantial alternations in the architecture of the houses; as a unique example of a traditional Cypriot village in the countryside. A legacy of fine traditional architecture that we may today admire.
In 1987 the founding of Lofou Association launches the aforementioned spirit which is till today prominent in the village. Simultaneously, Lofou Association intends to develop and tighten the bonds of friendship, brotherhood, cooperation and mutual understanding of all Lofitians as well as the friends of Lofou.
Perhaps the most important fact for the village is the effort to restore and preserve private and public buildings in the village. Within the context of a larger project for the restoration of the entire village, the Department of Urban Planning encourages the restoration of houses and provides financial help to the owners. A special zone has been defined that virtually includes the entire old village where the houses have to be preserved or be constructed according to specific instructions.
Today the restored houses of the village with their beautiful wooden balconies, the narrow cobblestone streets, the neoclassical school, the magnificent church, the traditional olive and flour mill in the rural museum, the taps and cisterns and numerous other small beautiful details that constitute the village attract the visitor and each one of us. There is massive human presence in the village during special events like the ‘Palouze Festival’ every last Sunday of September, the commemoration of the hero of Lofou ‘Ioannis Stavrianos’ and the 25th March feast of the Virgin Mary. Lastly, the two traditional taverns of the village and the newly built hotel along with other constructions that exemplify traditional architecture may offer moments of traditional Cypriot hospitality to every visitor.
Folk Art Museum
Olive press Museum
Folk Art Museum
The Folkloric Museum in Lofou is a private collection of Mr. Petros, a Cypriot who loves his country, culture and tradition.
Folk Art Museum
The Folkloric Museum in Lofou is a private collection of Mr. Petros, a Cypriot who loves his country, culture and tradition. All these items, were collected with much patience and obstinacy. A small but interesting at the same time museum, that you should visit.
Olive press Museum
The Olive Oil Press is located northeast of the church of the village and at a distance of approximately 300 metres. It was manufactured in Lemesos in around the end of the 19th century at “I. Kyriakides & Co Engineering workshop and Foundry”.
Olive press Museum
The Olive Oil Press is located northeast of the church of the village and at a distance of approximately 300 metres. It was manufactured in Lemesos in around the end of the 19th century at “I. Kyriakides & Co Engineering workshop and Foundry”. The word “LEMISSOS” is inscribed with upper case letters on the press.
The building is a rectangular stony construction which consists of two rooms. The first room contained all the means necessary for the production of olive-oil (e.g. the press), while the second room was used as a storage room.
Nowadays, various objects from the olive oil press are still preserved. The stony mill is of course preserved, as well as the millstone, the iron presser and some storage utensils. On the corner of the olive oil press one can admire the “niskia”, which was used to boil water. The pole which was used to push the millstone so that it could crush the olives is also salvaged today.
The olive oil press area has already been restored after efforts were made by the previous Community Council. According to the current Community Council’s short-term plan, the olive oil press will be electrified, while a long-term plan aims at placing all the utensils that were used for the production in one room and place the flourmill, another important piece of machinery from the previous century, into the second room.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the olive oil press is still owned by the church of Lofou. The reason for that is that the church bought the olive oil press and the olive mill because it used to own a lot of olive trees. The people who took their olives there used to pay the church of Lofou either by using some of their product or in cash.
Folk Art Museum
The Folkloric Museum in Lofou is a private collection of Mr. Petros, a Cypriot who loves his country, culture and tradition.
Folk Art Museum
The Folkloric Museum in Lofou is a private collection of Mr. Petros, a Cypriot who loves his country, culture and tradition. All these items, were collected with much patience and obstinacy. A small but interesting at the same time museum, that you should visit.
Olive press Museum
The Olive Oil Press is located northeast of the church of the village and at a distance of approximately 300 metres. It was manufactured in Lemesos in around the end of the 19th century at “I. Kyriakides & Co Engineering workshop and Foundry”.
Olive press Museum
The Olive Oil Press is located northeast of the church of the village and at a distance of approximately 300 metres. It was manufactured in Lemesos in around the end of the 19th century at “I. Kyriakides & Co Engineering workshop and Foundry”. The word “LEMISSOS” is inscribed with upper case letters on the press.
The building is a rectangular stony construction which consists of two rooms. The first room contained all the means necessary for the production of olive-oil (e.g. the press), while the second room was used as a storage room.
Nowadays, various objects from the olive oil press are still preserved. The stony mill is of course preserved, as well as the millstone, the iron presser and some storage utensils. On the corner of the olive oil press one can admire the “niskia”, which was used to boil water. The pole which was used to push the millstone so that it could crush the olives is also salvaged today.
The olive oil press area has already been restored after efforts were made by the previous Community Council. According to the current Community Council’s short-term plan, the olive oil press will be electrified, while a long-term plan aims at placing all the utensils that were used for the production in one room and place the flourmill, another important piece of machinery from the previous century, into the second room.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the olive oil press is still owned by the church of Lofou. The reason for that is that the church bought the olive oil press and the olive mill because it used to own a lot of olive trees. The people who took their olives there used to pay the church of Lofou either by using some of their product or in cash.
Panagia Chrysolofitissa Church
Agios Georgios Chapel
Panagia Chrysolofitissa Church
Standing on a hill west of Lofou is the main church of the village which is dedicated to the Annunciation of Virgin Mary. The church was constructed in the 19th century.
Panagia Chrysolofitissa Church
Standing on a hill west of Lofou is the main church of the village which is dedicated to the Annunciation of Virgin Mary. The church was constructed in the 19th century. More specifically, the construction of the central building of the church began in 1854 and was completed in 1872. It is a single-roomed church bearing features of gothic art and mainly on its roof. Its floor is covered with small square mosaic marbles with dimensions 20×20. The church is 30.5 metres long and 13 metres and 30 centimetres wide.
The interior of the church is adorned by exquisite hagiographies, an imposing chancel, the despotic throne, the pulpit and the wooden faldstool.
In the church there are old icons of Virgin Mary, one dated back to the 11th century which is located inside the Holy Bema and a second one which, according to Gunnis, is dated back to the 16th century.
Externally, the church is adorned by two bell towers made of stone which were completed at the beginning of the 20th century and more specifically in 1910.
Agios Georgios Chapel
The Chapel of Agios Georgios is built west of the village, near the centre of the village. It is a well preserved chapel which was renovated in the year 2000.
Agios Georgios Chapel
The Chapel of Agios Georgios is built west of the village, near the centre of the village. It is a well preserved chapel which was renovated in the year 2000. The internal part of the chapel is adorned by a large icon of Agios Georgios which was painted by the monks of Mount Athos Kyrillos and Nimfonas. Located next to the church is a large water basin, as well as a cemetery with carven stony graves. What is also worth mentioning is that some of the graves have been classified as Type B Monuments./p>
Panagia Chrysolofitissa Church
Standing on a hill west of Lofou is the main church of the village which is dedicated to the Annunciation of Virgin Mary. The church was constructed in the 19th century.
Panagia Chrysolofitissa Church
Standing on a hill west of Lofou is the main church of the village which is dedicated to the Annunciation of Virgin Mary. The church was constructed in the 19th century. More specifically, the construction of the central building of the church began in 1854 and was completed in 1872. It is a single-roomed church bearing features of gothic art and mainly on its roof. Its floor is covered with small square mosaic marbles with dimensions 20×20. The church is 30.5 metres long and 13 metres and 30 centimetres wide.
The interior of the church is adorned by exquisite hagiographies, an imposing chancel, the despotic throne, the pulpit and the wooden faldstool.
In the church there are old icons of Virgin Mary, one dated back to the 11th century which is located inside the Holy Bema and a second one which, according to Gunnis, is dated back to the 16th century.
Externally, the church is adorned by two bell towers made of stone which were completed at the beginning of the 20th century and more specifically in 1910.
Agios Georgios Chapel
The Chapel of Agios Georgios is built west of the village, near the centre of the village. It is a well preserved chapel which was renovated in the year 2000.
Agios Georgios Chapel
The Chapel of Agios Georgios is built west of the village, near the centre of the village. It is a well preserved chapel which was renovated in the year 2000. The internal part of the chapel is adorned by a large icon of Agios Georgios which was painted by the monks of Mount Athos Kyrillos and Nimfonas. Located next to the church is a large water basin, as well as a cemetery with carven stony graves. What is also worth mentioning is that some of the graves have been classified as Type B Monuments./p>
Lofou Walking Trail
Lofou Walking Trail
Lofou walking trail begins just a few meters north of the building area of Lofou towards Sylikou village. It covers a distance of about a kilometer and follows a downhill course towards the traditional faucet of Elitji, where the villagers of Lofou used to get their water in older times. On the faucet, which is at the end of the route, there is an inscription dated 1842, which proves the date that the faucet was built.
The trail is located south of a small stream which flows with water only during the winter months. This phenomenon creates a micro-system along the walking trail somewhat different to the rest of the region. Here the walker may admire various species of Cyprus flora and fauna such as tall shrubs and oaks as well as many herbs.
The walking trail has special aesthetic value for both the residents and the visitors of the village. Many of them usually take the opportunity to visit it in order to relax and escape from the daily routine.
Vineyards
Vineyards
The cultivation of vineyards constituted one of the main occupations of the Cypriots from older times until today, and it was closely connevted with their life, customs and culture. Of course Lofou, one important wine village of the “ampelochoria” area of the Limassol district, could not be an exception of the rule. The soft climate and the territorial conditions were ideal for the growth of vineyards. The local wine of Lofou was famous all over Cyprus for its excellent quality. It would be remiss not to mention the amazing view of the village in the old times, when the vineyards were blossoming and the green color was prevailing in the horizon.
The Faucet of Elitzi
The Faucet of Elitzi
The ‘faucet of Elitji’ is located approximately one kilometre northeast of Lofou half way towarch Sylikou. The faucet owes its name to the homonymous region. The source that was supplying water the faucet is at the base of a steep mountain. The people of Lofou built a large tank of water in front of the source. The tank is decorated beautifully with big windows, from which the residents of Lofou were getting water. The whole project regarding the construction of the building was completed in 1842. The faucet served the water needs of Lofou residents until 1953, the year in which the British concreted faucets in various parts of the village.
Today visitors may go to the ‘faucet of Elitji’ either from the dirt road Lofou – Sylikou, or the walking trail that has been created recently by Lofou Community Council. It is also worth noting that Lofou Community Council has recently constructed a nice patio in front of the ‘faucet of Elitji’, so as to serve the people who visit the faucet and those who enjoy the walking trail.
Palouzes Festival
Palouzes Festival
The Community Council and the Lofou Association of expatriates organizes every year in September, the Palouze Festival in the courtyard of the elementary school.
The aim of the festival is firstly the promotion of Cypriot rural heritage and rural revitalization and other community support.
The visitors can taste Palouze for free. At the festival you can also see folk craftsmen, potters, woodcarvers, exhibiting their traditional creations. For the children there is a work corner which provides special moments and the opportunity to ride on donkeys.
Palouzes (Grape Must Dessert)
This is a classic Cypriot dessert of grape must thickened with flour.Traditionally this is made during September and October using the must (pressed grape juice) from the grape harvest.
Guest House
Guest House
The Community Guesthouse is a picturesque stony building. It is the ideal accommodation for anybody who wishes to spend one or more nights in the beautiful community of Lofou and experience something unique.
The guesthouse can accommodate up to 28 guests. It can be a place of stay for groups of pupils, students, excursionists and members of non-government organisations. The guesthouse consists of six bedrooms with two or three berths. Therefore, each room can accommodate between four and six people. All bedrooms are en-suite and equipped with a heating and air-conditioning system.
The kitchen is fully equipped so that visitors can prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the dining room there are rectangular tables with traditional wooden chairs. Usually, guests resort to the local taverns for lunch and dinner.
The guesthouse offers various entertainment areas, an internal yard and a specially shaped room. The first entertainment area, the internal yard, offers a patio with a traditional small oven. A lot of daily and night gatherings take place there. The second recreation area is equipped with a 46” TV, a DVD player, board games and five computers with a wireless internet connection.
Undoubtedly, Lofou and its Guesthouse can offer a great excuse for somebody to meet the Cyprus countryside, its natural beauties, its popular architecture and its folkways
Agioi Pateres Cave
Agioi Pateres Cave
The chapel of the Holy Fathers in Lofou was built with the initiative of both the Lofou Community Council and the Lofou Ecclesiastical Committee. It is a very small building, measuring just four square meters, and is located northwest of the village, less than a kilometer from the traditional core of Lofou.
In the area where the chapel now stands, was the cave of the Holy Fathers. Pottery and human bones were found inside the cave during the construction of the chapel. In this cave existed for decades a candle, which was lit systematically by the villagers of Lofou.
Although small, the chapel of Holy Fathers is filled with icons of Saints and Fathers of the Orthodox religion. The icons were donated to the chapel by many devoted people of Lofou. The many icons in such a small space create a sense of religious devoutness to the followers. The priest performs community vespers in the chapel once a year in the eve of the feast of the Holy Fathers on the 14th of October.
Hatjiroussos Cave
Hatjiroussos Cave
The ‘cave of Hatjiroussos’ is located in the center of the traditional core of the village at the base of a steep hill. It is an impressive perimeter cave with a depth of about 10 meters and a height of about two meters in a total area of about 60-70 square meters. The cave got its name from the homonymous family that first inhabited in its place. It is said that the Hatjiroussos family was the first to reside in the current position of the village of Lofou. This is estimated to have occurred during the Ottoman rule.
Today the cave has been preserved partly by Lofou Community Council. The maintenance work has, however, paused in order for the cave to be scientifically investigated by the Geological Survey Department of the Republic of Cyprus. At first sight, it appears that the ‘cave of Hatjiroussos’ is a monumental place that may be used in order to witness the lifestyle of the people of Lofou in older times.
Kourris Dam
Kourris Dam
The island’s largest dam, Kouris, on the north west of the southern coastal town of Limassol, has a storage capacity of 115 million cubic metres.
The Cyprus Water Development Department has proceeded to control the outflow of significant amounts of water from the dam, to help enrich the aquifer of Akrotiri, on the southern coast.
The dam, whose construction finished in 1988 in the Limassol area, overflowed for the first time in 2004.
The best Restaurants in the Village of Lofou
Agrino Restaurant
The AGRINO restaurant serves traditional cypriot cuisine full of originality and prepared with wholesome fresh produce. The dining room has a warm atmosphere with cyprus stone flagged floor, stone walls and open fireplace. It opens into the courtyard where breakfast, lunch, drinks and candelit dinners are served in the summer or whenever the temperature allows. The courtyard barbeque kitchen with wood burning oven adds a strong local flavour to the cuisine. Breakfast features locally baked bread, greek yoghurt, homemade preserves along with seasonal fresh fruits. Light homemade platters and salads are available for lunch. Dinner is a meze of carefully prepared wholesome dishes. After dinner drinks can be served on the TERRACE overlooking the village and surrounding countryside. Wines can be selected from our large collection of mediterranean wines stored in the underground cellar, the STERNA.
| TIME 08:00 am – 22:00 pm |
FOR RESERVATIONS Tel: +357 25 813712 |
|
Agrovino Taverna, Courtyard and Bar
Costas and his family have been running the taverna for many years and with a host of experience in Cypriot cuisine and hospitality, they have become well known right across the region.The Restaurant offers a wide ranging traditional menu with specialities such as homemade Moussaka and Afelia being all-time favourites with many regular customers.The full Greek meze which is the order of the day on Sundays will leave you feeling as if you won’t need to eat again until the following Sunday!
| TIME ?? |
FOR RESERVATIONS Tel: +357 25470202 – 99 468151 |
|
Kamares Taverna
The Tavern “Kamares” is located in the picturesque village of Lofou and its a traditional place, built of stone and decorated with antiques. Enjoy quality food with 18 varieties of appetizers, salads, main dishes with 13 exclusive, unique, our own recipes, and a wide variety of pastries.
| TIME 12:00 am – 22:00 pm |
FOR RESERVATIONS Tel: +357 25 470719 |
|
Coffee Shop and Wine Cellar
The Coffee Shop and Roof Terrace provide an additional venue with a breathtaking view across Cyprus towards the Salt Lake at Akrotiri. While away the afternoon with a coffee, an ice cream or delicious dessert.The Wine Cellar offers a vast selection of local produce with an opportunity to sample many of the tastes of traditional Cyprus.
Don’t forget to taste our refreshing juices of our own production (e.g. orange, pomegranate, etc).
| TIME 10:00 am – 23:00 pm |
FOR RESERVATIONS Tel: +357 25 470002 |
|
VILLAGE SERVICES
Village Services Lofou
| Lofou |
Tel +357 25 470020 |
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