Lefkara Area – Cyprus
There is a wonderful view from the tiny church of Archangelos in the field below the square.
The church houses some superb 12th century frescoes. Leave by following the sign for Pano Lefkara. A side trip to Dipotamos Dam, which is a popular angling site and where birdwatchers can often see black storks and pelicans, goes from this road. The main route follows the one-way system through the narrow streets of Pano Lefkara to the car park near the schools.
Pano Lefkara today is a small township with a couple of hotels,restaurants, banks and a petrol station. The village is famed for lace and filigree silverwork and in years gone by, the women made the lace and their husbands traveled the world to sell it. See Section I, Chapter 4, Rural crafts and skills. The houses here are not those of farmers but the homes of merchants and artisans. The houses are stone-built, some with doorways providing glimpses of flower-filled and vine-covered courtyards, while others are two-storey colour washed residences with balconies and intricately patterned tiled floors. The woman still sit in the street to do their needlework and the silversmiths’ workshop doors are open to view. A beautiful stone building houses the Lace and Silverware Museum. There is also an interesting waxwork museum. The panoramic view from the churchyard at the bottom end of the village is exceptional in early spring when the valley is full of blossoming almond trees.
To leave, follow the exit signs through the upper village and, at the crossroads, go ahead onto the main road. Before going right to Kato Drys, stop and look back across the roofs of Pano Lefkara. Kato Drys, another lace-making village is tiny And appears to have more churches than houses. These again are merchants, mansions, of which the first house on the left is a very fine example. The village also has its own rural museum.
As you continue on the road to Vavla, you will Come to Agios Minas, a small monastery founded in the 15th century. Today the nuns paint icons, grow flowers and keep bees and the delicious honey they harvest is on sale. Across the road from the monastery is the eye-catching garden of the tiny church of Agioi Damian and Cosmas. The nearby village of Vavla has lovely stone houses, some of which have been renovated for use by visitors. On entering Vavla, go right and follow the signs for Lagia. Lagia sits in a picturesque landscape of olives, low forest and scrub. Its population has steadily declined over the years and many of the houses are now holiday homes.
Go left at the signpost to Ora. Ora is best known for its excellent water, which is bottled and sold commercially. At the church, go left, signposted ‘Melini’, go left again at the main road and drive to Odou. The village of Odou is one of the most attractive villages in Cyprus. Olive and peach trees surround it and fill the vally below.
There is an area called Chelidonomoutti that is the home of swallows during part of the year and nightingales sing in the valley near an old well. Drive back the way you came and go right onto the F123 at the signpost to Melini. This tiny village still has a tradition of lace-making and is also mentioned in the life of Agios Irakleidios, which suggests that it was a settlement during the 1st century AD. At Melini, go left and head for Eptagonia. The farmers at Eptagonia cultivate citrus fruits, particularly mandarins. The name of the village means ‘seven corners’ – so here Goes! Go right at the first junction, then go Left after 50 metres; after a further 100 metres Go right and go left after a further 20 metres. Go left at the ‘Stop’ sign and follow the signs For Limassol. No, you did’nt go round all seven. On your way to Kellaki, you will travel through An area of citrus, almond and olive groves with Tall eucalyptus trees in the riverbed to your Left. Although seen all over the island, eucalyptus trees are not endemic. They were brought here from Australia during British colonial rule to help drain marshland in the drive to eradicate malaria. At the entrance to Kellaki, go left. The hilltop church of Agios Georgios is up a steep path to your left. Follow the signs for Lemesos and go left at the sign to Sanida. The viewpoint 250 metres along is well worth a stop, as from it the panoramic serrated skyline stretches from Troodos to the Machairas mountains. Go left again at the signpost to Sanida. The monastery of Zoodochou Pighis is to your left. Pass the hamlet of Vasa on your left and head for Asgata. Carobs used to be the chief crop at Asgata but is main wealth came from the surrounding copper mines. Go right at the crossroads in the village, signposted to Monagrouli, and then go left onto the F137. Northern Cyprus Holidays As you approach Kalavasos, there is a very deep valley to your left. At the ‘Stop’ sign at the entrance to Kalavasos, you can take a side trip to Kalavasos Dam by taking the road to your left. The beautiful dam is very popular with anglers, while the surrounding area is good hiking and riding country. On the main route, go through the very narrow streets with the overhanging balconies of the mine managers houses. Some of the traditional houses in the village are now holiday accommodation. The square has some well-preserved old buildings, one of which houses a small archaeological and mining museum. As you leave Kalavasos, you will come to a small park to your right, behind which are a small train and carriage on a metal bridge. These are relics from the mine railway. Go down the small road beside the park to Tenta with its dramatic tented roof. This is the excavation of a Neolithic settlement, smaller than that at nearby Choirokoitia. If features the remains of ancient clay and stone dwelling-places and gives an indication of the way Cypriots lived 9000 years ago.
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