Month: December 2015

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, Louvaras sits in an altitude of 850 metres on the Troodos mountain range, in the picturesque Pitsilia area, just 28 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following the E110 route.

Louvaras is one of the wine producing villages of the island, and is particularly known for its Commandaria dessert wine.

Under Frankish rule, the village belonged to the Grand Commandery of Knights Hospitaller, whose seat was in Kolossi near Lemesos, and the production of Commandaria dates back to this time. The sweet wine is made with the indigenous grape varieties of Xynisteri (white) and Mavro (red).

Aside from its traditional architecture of stone-built houses – with their wooden balconies and picturesque lofts – the old village church dedicated to Agios Mamas (built in 1454) is also an interesting sight. A short distance from the church stands an old olive press, which was recently restored, whilst there is also a beautiful picnic site ‘Kakomallis’ located 6 km from the village.

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the tiny village of Lofou sits at an altitude of 780 metres, just 26 km from Lemesos town. Lofou can be reached by following the B8 route and then the F617 route, or by following the E601 route, and then the F617 route.

The village takes its name from its position on top of a hill (‘lofos’), and has retained its name since Byzantine times. It is renowned for its pretty, old architecture, and the many winding, cobbled streets.

The leafy environs of this picturesque and traditional village are home to grapevines and almond trees, offering agrotourism in tranquil and scenic surroundings.

Among its interesting sights are a small agricultural museum, the old school of Lofou, and the traditional faucet of Elitji, dating back to 1842. The faucet is where the villagers of Lofou used to collect water in the olden days, and was an important part of their daily life.

The village also has two religiously significant monuments; the 19th century village church dedicated to the Annunciation of Virgin Mary, and the nearby small chapel dedicated to Prophet Elias, whose icon is believed to have miraculous powers to stop the rains from causing damage to the grain crops.

At the end of September, the village celebrates its harvest with a Grape Fest, where visitors can watch the locals make traditional delicacies from grape juice, and sample them with their compliments. There is also a programme of folkloric entertainment, as well as wine tasting. 

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the small, traditional village of Lania sits in an altitude of 570 metres on the Troodos mountain range, just 25 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following B8 road.

Lania is one of the grape cultivating villages of the island. Whilst its residents were mainly employed in the cultivation of vines – and the production of wines, Zivania (spirit) and Soutzoukos (grape sweet) in older times – due to urbanization, there are now only a few harvesters and grape producers left.

According to tradition,the village got its name from Lana, daughter of Dionysus, God of Wine, or it may be derived from the word ‘valania’ (acorn), due to the fruit of the oak trees growing abundantly in the region.

Interesting sights include the old wine press, the Commandaria Storage Museum, and an old olive press. The church of Panagia Valana is located in the centre of the village, whilst the chapel of Panagia Valana can be found just outside the village, near a small picnic area and a park.

Every May, the women of the village open their yards to welcome visitors to their houses in the ‘Lanes and Courtyards of Lania’ event.

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the charming village of Koilani sits at an altitude of 820 metres on the Troodos mountain range, in the ‘Krassohoria’ area,  just 35 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following the B8 route, and then the F606 route, or by following the E601 route, and then the F606 route.

There are various versions of how the village got its name. One believes that the village was once known as ‘Kourion’ after the son of the mythic King of Cyprus Kinyras – a name it kept until the Byzantine period. Under Frankish rule, it was renamed Koilani. A second theory is that it originated from the ancient city of Kyllene of Pelloponesos (Greece) from where the first inhabitants of the village came. A third version believes that the name may be derived from a standing in a valley.

Koilani is one of the island’s main grape cultivators, and is famous for its wines and grape-products, as well as its aromatic ‘arkatena’ (crunchy rusks with yeast), and sweet pastries ‘glitzista’ .

The village retains its traditional character of folk architecture with houses that have tiled or flat roofs, picturesque lofts, arches and decorated frames, built with regional, carved limestone walls. Visitors can see the old, traditional earthenware jars displayed in yards, whilst some also still retain their old equipment for the production of wine or the distilling of the strong spirit Zivania.

Interesting sights include the various churches, such as the church of Monogenis, and the chapel of Agia Mavri, which is located under a one of the biggest plane trees on the island, and has interesting and unusual architecture and important murals. The viticulture and the ecclesiastical museums, the olive mill and wineries are also major attractions, whilst the village also offers the perfect, idyllic destination for agrotourism.

An annual Grape Feast is held at the village on the first Sunday of October, and also in mid-November, where visitors can watch how the locals make traditional delicacies from grape juice, and sample them with their compliments. There is also a programme of folkloric entertainment, as well as wine tasting.

Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the picturesque village of Arsos is built on the slopes of Laona mountain at an altitude of 850 metres, and just 42 km from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following the A6 route and then the E601 route.

Arsos has practised the tradition of winemaking since ancient times, having developed into a large wine-producing village with a rich viticultural history.

Its name is believed to either come from the Holy Alsos (grove) of the Goddess Aphrodite, where the village is built, or its status as one of the four towns founded by Ptolemy Philadelphos in honour of Arsinoe.

Interesting sights include the Folk Art Museum, the ‘Six Fountains’ nature trail (that joins six medieval fountains along the river), its churches and a winery. Arsos is also an idyllic destination for agrotourism.

The village holds a Grape Feast annually at the end of September to celebrate its harvest, where visitors can watch how the locals make traditional delicacies from grape juice, and sample them with their compliments. There is also a programme of folkloric entertainment, as well as wine tasting. A second major event is held annually on November 14, with a religious fair in honour of Apostle Phillipos – protector of the village, with traditional stalls.