Cypriot Tales Episode 7. Lefkara, Cyprus

Travelers Tales:

[My dear readers,

At the Centre of Craftsmanship

This week we are changing our route. From Odysseus’ Ithaca, adventures and myths we are going somewhere cooler and way above the sea level to cool off the hot Cypriot August days. I am delighted to give you a tour to a village with a history going very deep in the centuries. So follow me to take a tour along the stone paths of Lefkara. Lefkara is a mountain village located on the southern slopes of Troodos Mountains. It belongs in the District of Larnaca and it is splitted into two administrative regions: Pano Lefkara and Kato Lefkara which means upper and lower. In total there are about 1100 permanent residents leaving there.     

Lefkara village is considered on UNESCO’s cultural heritage list and it is truly a very beautiful and picturesque place. The village is named after the white of its silica and limestone. The name Lefkara comes from the Greek words “lefka ori” which means White Mountains (λευκά όρη, in Greek) [1]. So imagine what is like to walk through the narrow stone paths filled with pots of green and colours from the different flowers. As you walk through the village you come across wooden benches where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful view and fresh air. Also every now and then you see colourful doors and windows very special and fit with the village’s traditional character. As you will notice most doors will be open, highlighting the simplicity of the village’s inhabitants. If we were in the older years you could also see women sitting in front of their houses needling the famous “Lefkaritika” lace. The village takes pride for two things. Lefkaritika lace which are made as embroidery, tablecloths, bed covers and curtains and the silver handcrafts, like “kapnistomereha” (καπνιστομέρρεχα, in Greek). The smokestapers are handmade and are part of the rich tradition of Cyprus in the art of silversmiths. By the smokestapers are meant the two utensils that in the old days were considered by every housewife indispensable in her home, smoker 's and marsh. Nowadays you may enter the shops found in the villages’ square opposite the Elementary School in Pano Lefkara and purchase a souvenir to remember this beautiful village and its crafts.

While you take your walk around the village you might as well stop at the Centre of Craftsmanship and admire the embroidery and traditional silverwork. Another location that you must see is the old chapel of Saint Mamas with its impressive arches. This is how you will know you found it as it is lost in the stone-built houses of the village. It is a 15^th century building and the interior of the church is very simple. During the Frankish and Venetian period, Lefkara was one of the royal feuds. According to Legend Leonardo da Vinci had visited the village in 1481 at this very location where the chapel is built today. Leonardo is said to have purchased a lace cloth for the main altar of the Duomo di Milano [2,4]. As you are at it you may as well visit the church of the Holy Cross. A building dated back to the 14^th century and its temple was carved by a sculptor from Rhodes [3]. The church which is dedicated to Holy Cross can be seen from above as you enter the village and is one of the characteristic frames of Lefkara village.

Finally as you walk around you will come across many cafes and taverns where you can sit and enjoy a meal or your coffee. I strongly advise you to taste the famous “tava“ which is a traditional meal made in Lefkara. It is consisted of chunks of lamp along with rice, tomato, onions and covered with slices of potato. It is prepared in a traditional clay pot and cooked in traditional wood ovens. Don’t neglect to also taste Turkish delights and some sweets in the spoon which are traditional Cypriot dessert.

And this was our little walk for this week. I hope you enjoyed it in writing and visit Lefkara village to also enjoy the experience in real time. If you are interested in more information about Lefkara events or other information I will leave you a couple of links at the end to visit online [4-6]. 

Until we meet again in one of our traveling locations, wishing you my very best!

MK]

PS. If you want to look at more photos please visit my profile on Instagram --> sundaytravelerstales and hit the follow button if you like what you see! xx

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lefkara

[2] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/The-30-most-beautiful-towns-in-Europe/
[3] https://www2.lefkara.org.cy/index.php/en/history-culture/churches

[4] https://www.lefkaravillage.com/
[5]https://www.lefkara.org.cy/elgr/%CE%B1%CF%81%CF%87%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE.aspx

[6] http://cyprusfortravellers.net/en/review/lefkara-traditions-steeped-history

View from above of church of Holy Cross

Lefkaritika lace

Shot from inside the village

The arches of St Mamas chapel