Nature Trails

06Dec

Nature Trails

naturetrails

For nature lovers Cyprus offers a number of exciting nature trails in the unspoiled forest areas. The Lagoudera-Agros Trail, the Agros-Kato Mylos Trail, or the ten Troodos mountain trails: the Artemis Trail, the Atalanti Trail, the Persephone Trail, the Kampos tou Livadiou Trail, the Kalidonia Falls, the Psilo Dendro-Pouziaris, the Millomeris Falls, the Kalopanayiotis-Oikos, the Gerakies, the Doxasi o Theos-Madari Fire Station, or the Teisia tis Madaris are some of the long walks on which you will come across interesting endemic flora and enjoy some spectacular views.

Filokypros the king of Aepia invited Solon the wise lawmaker of Athens, for advice. Amongst others, Solon advised Filokypros that the city f Aepia would be best if transferred from the hills to the coastal plain. Filokypros was convinced and named the new city “Soli” in honour of Solon. Unfortunately this ancient site is now under Turkish occupation.

Stavros tou Agiasmati

06Dec

Stavros tou Agiasmati

Stavros_tou_Agiasmati_Church_Platanistasa

At this point you can easily continue your visit to the other Byzantine churches which are included in the UNESCO list of the World Heritage. At “Stavros tou Agiasmati” and “Panagia tou Araka” at Lagoudera village (off the Kakopetria-Toodos-Lemessos road) and at “Timiou Stavou” at Pelendri village (3 km below Kato Amiantos), both churches know for their beautiful wall paintings. Usually the keys for the churches can be acquired from the local priest.

Fikardou Village

06Dec

Fikardou Village

fikardouvillage

Another option is to visit the village of Fikardou village where “time has stood still”. The whole village has been declared an ancient monument in order to preserve the remarkable woodwork and folk architecture of the 18th century houses.

 

You can see the House of Katsinioros and Achillea Dimitri which date back to the 16th century and have became rural museums. They were granted the EUROPA NOSTRA award in 1987.

Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis

06Dec

Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis

Cyprus_Kakopetria_Agios_Nikolaos_tis_Stegis_Church

You may visit the Byzantine church of “Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis”5 km distance to the north of Kakopetria. The church is completely painted with murals dating from the 11th to the 17th century and is considered one of the most interesting Byzantine churches of the island and is included in the official UNESCO list of the World Heritage.

 

“Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis” is open:

  • Tuesday-Saturday 09.00 – 18.00 and
  • Sunday: 11.00 – 16.00

 

You can go further and admire the 16th century “Panagia Theotokos” and “Agios Georgios Perachoritis” churches or visit the 3 small Byzantine churches at the nearby village of Galata which like Kakopetria preserves much of its traditional folk architectural character. The churches of “Panayia tis Podithou” which is in the UNESCO list of World Heritage, “Agios Sozomenos” and “Agia Paraskevi” were built in the early 16th century and feature a complete series of Byzantine frescoes.

An interesting site and an example of rural architecture to visit at the frontier-point of Galata – Kaliana village is the “Chani Kalianon”, the Old Mill which has been restored.

 

Another exciting site worth visiting is the Medieval Bridges of Elia, Kelefos and Roudia which were built in the 16th-17th century in Fini and Pera Vasa village.

Kalopanayiotis – Pedhoulas

06Dec

Kalopanayiotis – Pedhoulas

kalopanagiotis

You can also visit the village of Kalopanayiotis and Pedhoulas – the cherry village with the religious heritage, both 20-25 km from Troodos; Arsos village and Lania village – the painters’ paradise; And of course if it is winter, you should visit the Troodos skiing centre.

 

Wine lovers may also be interested in visiting the villages of Omodos and Kilani or even Kyperounta to see the old and new wineries and even taste the perfect Cypriot wines the Koumandaria liqueur and purchase Cypriot delicacies.of Soli.

The Solea Valley

17Aug

The Solea Valley

soleavalley

The beautiful valley of Solea is situated along the main Lefkosia–Troodos road (56km from Lefkosia, 56km from Lemesos via Kato Amiantos). The picturesque mountain villages of Galata and Kakopetria are popular hillside resorts with a range of hotels and restaurants, but they also retain much of their traditional architecture. Both villages are famous for their Byzantine churches. Other charming villages in the area are Evrychou, Flasou and Korakou.

 

It is perhaps the most densely populated and one of the most beautiful rural areas of Cyprus. Its name originates from the Ancient Kingdom of Soli.

Filokypros the king of Aepia invited Solon the wise lawmaker of Athens, for advice. Amongst others, Solon advised Filokypros that the city f Aepia would be best if transferred from the hills to the coastal plain. Filokypros was convinced and named the new city “Soli” in honour of Solon. Unfortunately this ancient site is now under Turkish occupation.