KYKKO MONASTERY DEPENDENCY
To the northwest of the village there is an interesting group of buildings of traditional architecture know as the “Metochi tou Kykkou”. They are now used as a community cultural centre.
Polemi village, 18 km northeast of Pafos
LEFKARA VILLAGE
Lefkara is a picturesque village know for its lace, the famous “lefkaditika” lace, and for its silverware. Legend has it that Leonardo da Vinci himself came here and brought an altar cloth of the traditional lace, which he donated to the cathedral of Milan. The village maintains its traditional architecture with its picturesque stone houses.
Interesting sites of the village include the following:
- The museum of Folk Art Embroidery and Silversmithing houses in the restored Patsalos residence. Exhibits include examples of traditional Lefkara lace.
- The Handicraft Centre of Lefkrara was founded with the aim to preserving, developing and continuing the tradition of Lefkara empoidery and Silversmithing.
- The Church of the Holy Cross situated in the centre of the village. It has a beautiful 18th century icon – stand and a unique 13th century silver cross.
- The church the Archangel Michael, in Kato (lower) Lefkara,is a single – aisled domed church with wall paintings dating from the 12th and 15th
40km from Larnka of the Lefkosia – Lemesos road at Skarinou – Tel.: 24342326 – Agiou Georgiou 7, Pano Lefkada – Tel.:24343031, 24342422
MEDIEVAL FORT OF PAFOS
Originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbor, the fort was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, but then dismantled by the Venetians. It was rebuilt by the Ottomans in the 16th century when they conquered the island.
Harbor – Kato Pafos – AUDIO GUIDES
TOMBS OF THE KINGS
The “Tombs of the Kings” are one of the major archeological attractions of Pafos. These monumental underground tombs carved out of solid rock date back to the 3rd century BC and some are decorated with Doric pillars. High ranking officials rather than Kings were buried here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave tha locality its grand name.
Kato Pafos – Tel.: 26306295 – AUDIO GUIDES
TROODOS
Ten Byzantine period churches from Troodos are listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Stavros tou Agiasmati, Panagia tou Araka, Timios Stavros at Pelendri, Agios Asinou, Agios Ioannis Lambadistis, Panagia (Moutoulla), Archangelos Michael at Pedoulas and Sotiros at Palaichori.
The imposing Troodos mountain range raises its highest peak to 1951m above the sea level and stretches across most of the southern and western part of Cyprus. This tranquil region provides a cool refuge for long walks in the summer among idyllic pine scented forest. Covered in snow in winter, it offers an opportunity for skiing and other winter sports.
Nestled in the Troodos mountain are some of the most beautiful hill resorts of the island, with mountain streams, Byzantine monasteries and picturesque villages built on terraced hillsides. The Troodos area has been renowned since antiquity for its rich mines. In Byzantine times it became a centre for art, as monks and ordinary citizens a built churches and mosansteries far from tha Arab raid threatened coastal areas. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation, in cooperation with the Forestry Department, has issued a publication with information on various nature trail options, many in the Troodos area. Besides the Machairas region to the east and the Troodos proper region surrounding the tallest peak of Mount Olympos (1951m), there are four other distinct regions, each with its own character and charm. These regions are the Pitsilia area to the east of Mount Olympos, the Solea Valley to the north, the Marathasa Valley to the west and the Krasochoria region to the south (the northwestern part of Limassol district).
THE CHURCH OF AGIOS NIKOLAOS TIS STEGIS
The church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis (St. Nicholas of the Roof) stands about 5km from Kakopetria. It once belonged to a monastery complex. It is covered entirely in wall paintings dating from the 11th to the 17th centuries and is considered one of the most interesting Byzantine churches on the island. It derives its name from its pitched wooden roof. The church is a listen UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5km from Kakopetria village – Tel.: 22922583 – AUDIO GUIDES
