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Based on some religious and folkloric traditions, Tochni is among the oldest villages in Cyprus, with a history more than ten, perhaps twenty centuries. Despite the infrequent mention of it in historical or archaeological sources, careful research and study on the village will reveal enough data regarding the long course of it’s life.
Tochni Village
History
Tochni is a village located in the Larnaca District of Cyprus, about halfway between the cities of Larnaca and Limassol.
Based on some religious and folkloric traditions, Tochni is among the oldest villages in Cyprus, with a history more than ten, perhaps twenty centuries. Despite the infrequent mention of it in historical or archaeological sources, careful research and study on the village will reveal enough data regarding the long course of it’s life.
Tochni village is noted in some medieval maps called Togni, which indicates the existence of irrefutable, at least from the period of Latin. The medieval existence of the villages is attested by historians of the middle-ages, as the Cypriot chronicler Leontios Machairas and Latin writer De Mas Latrie. The testimonies revolve around the building of a temple and placement in these sacred relics, from the Queen Mother St. Helen, after her return from the Holy Land. Another medieval testimony refers to the granting of Tochni as a manor in the years of the Frankish presence in the island.
Today the village has been designated an ‘agrotourism’ location which promotes the restoration of the original village house in order to preserve the traditional Cypriot stone houses. The majority of properties use ‘Tochni Stone’ which is quarried nearby.
There are the ruins of a Latin church in the centre of the village, overlooking the Orthodox church of St Constantine and Helena. The current church has been reconstructed on the site of the original, interestingly over a bridge, said to have been founded by St Helena on return from the Holy Land having brought with her a piece of the Holy Cross.
There is also a mosque, madrasah and Muslim burial ground in the eastern part of the village, though these are in varying degrees of disrepair.
Ecclesiastical Museum
Ecclesiastical Museum
In a small oblong room, located on the south side of the forecourt of the church an Ecclesiastical Museum has been created, in which relics are displayed, which are property of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. In the middle of the museum a grand old Cross is located, which previously was in the temple.
Ecclesiastical Museum
In a small oblong room, located on the south side of the forecourt of the church an Ecclesiastical Museum has been created, in which relics are displayed, which are property of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. In the middle of the museum a grand old Cross is located, which previously was in the temple. Unfortunately there is no description of the cross, to help establish a chronology of its construction. In the background of the museum in a space protected by a glass case, on display are Gospels, silver and bronze sacred vessels and holy icons. In the area of the glass display cabinet is the icon of St. Demetrius (Work of Theophanes Kaissareias) as well as those of Saint Mamas (Work of Arseniou). On the north and south walls of the museum, hanging are many holy icons, works from the old years. Special impression to the visitors is caused by large pictures of artist Louka who comes from Tochni and who lived in the late 16th and early 17th century.
Ecclesiastical Museum
In a small oblong room, located on the south side of the forecourt of the church an Ecclesiastical Museum has been created, in which relics are displayed, which are property of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. In the middle of the museum a grand old Cross is located, which previously was in the temple.
Ecclesiastical Museum
In a small oblong room, located on the south side of the forecourt of the church an Ecclesiastical Museum has been created, in which relics are displayed, which are property of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. In the middle of the museum a grand old Cross is located, which previously was in the temple. Unfortunately there is no description of the cross, to help establish a chronology of its construction. In the background of the museum in a space protected by a glass case, on display are Gospels, silver and bronze sacred vessels and holy icons. In the area of the glass display cabinet is the icon of St. Demetrius (Work of Theophanes Kaissareias) as well as those of Saint Mamas (Work of Arseniou). On the north and south walls of the museum, hanging are many holy icons, works from the old years. Special impression to the visitors is caused by large pictures of artist Louka who comes from Tochni and who lived in the late 16th and early 17th century.
Sts. Kostantinos & Eleni Church
Stavros Ruined Church
Sts. Kostantinos & Eleni Church
A truly spectacular phenomenon is the building of the church of Saints Constantine and Helen on a bridge in the village of Tochni.
Sts. Kostantinos & Eleni Church
A truly spectacular phenomenon is the building of the church of Saints Constantine and Helen on a bridge in the village of Tochni. A Phenomenon that might not be seen anywhere else in the world. The Tradition has it that the construction of the bridge and the construction of the temple itself, from the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine, St. Helen. A tradition which is verging on the truth, since there are many signs that lead to the conclusion that the Queen Mother Helen stepped and sanctified by her presence, the blessed soil of Cyprus.
Stavros Ruined Church
Somewhere thirty meters on the northeast side of the parish church of Saints Constantine and Helen on a small hill…
Stavros Ruined Church
Somewhere thirty meters on the northeast side of the parish church of Saints Constantine and Helen on a small hill, a few surviving ruins of another church that operated in the community. According to foreign travellers and writers of Cypriot religious texts, the ruined temple is among the Gothic monuments of the island and built or converted into Latin monument and was used by the Romans during the period that they have been governing the island. Regarding the chronology of the building of the temple, there is no source that leads to it. Enlart assumes that the building might be constructed during the first half of the 14th century, namely around 1340. His support is on the fact that after the theft of the Holy Cross of the Temple of Tochni, residents tried to find some way to recover the stolen sacred relic. As such, they thought the erection of a new church dedicated to the Holy and Life-giving Cross.
Sts. Kostantinos & Eleni Church
A truly spectacular phenomenon is the building of the church of Saints Constantine and Helen on a bridge in the village of Tochni.
Sts. Kostantinos & Eleni Church
A truly spectacular phenomenon is the building of the church of Saints Constantine and Helen on a bridge in the village of Tochni. A Phenomenon that might not be seen anywhere else in the world. The Tradition has it that the construction of the bridge and the construction of the temple itself, from the mother of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine, St. Helen. A tradition which is verging on the truth, since there are many signs that lead to the conclusion that the Queen Mother Helen stepped and sanctified by her presence, the blessed soil of Cyprus.
Stavros Ruined Church
Somewhere thirty meters on the northeast side of the parish church of Saints Constantine and Helen on a small hill…
Stavros Ruined Church
Somewhere thirty meters on the northeast side of the parish church of Saints Constantine and Helen on a small hill, a few surviving ruins of another church that operated in the community. According to foreign travellers and writers of Cypriot religious texts, the ruined temple is among the Gothic monuments of the island and built or converted into Latin monument and was used by the Romans during the period that they have been governing the island. Regarding the chronology of the building of the temple, there is no source that leads to it. Enlart assumes that the building might be constructed during the first half of the 14th century, namely around 1340. His support is on the fact that after the theft of the Holy Cross of the Temple of Tochni, residents tried to find some way to recover the stolen sacred relic. As such, they thought the erection of a new church dedicated to the Holy and Life-giving Cross.
Tochni Bridges
Tochni Bridges
As seen from the writings of Machairas, St. Helen after building a temple in todays Stavrovouni, then built a temple and bridge in Tochni. It must be said that during the presence of the Queen Mother in Cyprus, in high probability, to be inhabited by some people on the island, regardless of the existence of long-term drought. The complete abandonment of the site should probably exclude. The building of the bridge and the construction of a church in the village certainly required the help of some people. In addition, there isn’t any note mentioning that among the royal entourage were specialist builders that were building temples, but such were used by countries where sacred buildings have been built in hint and help of the mother of the Emperor Constantine. But the move of Saint Helen and her escort from the region of the Vasilopotamos to the peak of Stavrovouni and perhaps and to other Cypriot areas must be done with the help of some animals-horses or mules-whose presence depended on human life in the island.
Cycling Routes
Cycling Routes
At Tochni cycling route, touring cyclists and mountain bikers will all find just the right exciting challenges in a Mediterranean climate with a delightful combination of sea, beaches and mountains. The village has perfect weather for cycling, especially in the months between October and April, when temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C, while annual rainfall is also quite low in comparison to European countries. What’s more, unlike other European or Mediterranean countries, the strong headwinds that are a bane to cyclists, here are rare. Take Me There
Nature Trails
The Tochni ‘Exploring Nature’ trail is located on the southeast of the village of Tochni. A part of it follows the ancient trail initially constructed by its inhabitants together with the people of the neighbouring villages of Maroni and Zigi. It starts at the outskirts of the village and follows a circular route with an approximate length of 2.8km and It takes 35-40 minutes to walk. Along the trail one can enjoy a changing landscape with rich wild flora and the panoramic view of the area. Nature Trails
Points of interest:
♦ The rich flora and fauna of the area
♦ The Panoramic view
♦ The changes in landscape
♦ The church of Ayios Constantinos and the ecclesiastical museum
Take Me There
Sts. Konstantinos & Eleni Feas
Sts. Konstantinos & Eleni Feas
In celebration of the Saints Constantine and Helen on May 21, both at the evening ceremony which takes place the day before, and during the ceremony, the day of the celebration, hundreds of Christians from various parts of Cyprus, arrive in Tochni to venerate the icon of Saints Constantine and Helen, to light the candle of thanksgiving and supplication and pray with devotion, through the sacred historical site. During the holidays, in the courtyard of the church and the surrounding areas, a sizable fair takes place.
Climbing
Climbing
Rock climbing in Cyprus is more varied than many of the other areas around the Mediterranean. Unusually, there is a greater quantity of recorded traditional routes than sports, and the rock type is more complex than simply limestone.
The Cyprus climate is amongst the best in Europe and offers an all year round experience, with the optimum times to visit being spring and autumn. Combine this with its varied and numerous resort possibilities then it makes a good choice as a climbing holiday location.
Mosque
Mosque
Turkish-Cypriots of Tochni, as Muslims, were celebrating separately, according to their own religion, their religious duties. They have a mosque (without minaret) which is in a very good condition and is located on the north side of town, where it was built and most of the Turkish-Cypriot homes. They used to pray at the mosque every Friday afternoon in the presence of their community Hoxha, who read excerpts from the “Koran”.
Tochni School
Tochni School
The school consists of three clusters.Each classroom is divited into two small classrooms. During the 2007-8 school year the students participates in two European Projects: The Lifelong Learning program and the European Health Promoting Network. The school is small and has three teachers and was built in 1930 initially as an all-boys school.
Quarry
Quarry
In the space of a smooth hill located in the northeast of the village, in a location known as “Sellin tis Agias Elenis”, operating since 1987, is a stone processing factory, which makes materials for various construction jobs, such as building exterior walls and surfaces, paving, flooring, courtyards and stone sculptures.
The best Restaurants in the Village of Tochni
Tochni Tavern
| TIME 13:00 am – 23:00 pm |
FOR RESERVATIONS Tel: +357 99 563299 |
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