Lefkara, Cyprus is a picturesque village located away from the big cities at an altitude of 645 m above sea level. Here you can travel back several centuries, enjoy the ancient architecture and buy souvenirs known throughout the world.
General information
Lefkara is a popular village located in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains near the city of Larnaca (southeastern Cyprus). It can be called without exaggeration one of the most visited corners of the country. And there is nothing surprising in this: picturesque ancient architecture, beautiful cobbled streets and an abundance of historical sights attract a large number of tourists every year.
The name of this village comes from two Greek words: “lefka” – white and “ori” – mountains. It was not given by chance – Lefkara really stands on mountains of limestone and snow-white quartz. Administratively, it can be divided into 2 districts: the upper (Pano Lefkara, considered more beautiful) and the lower (Kato Lefkara). In the middle of the last century, the settlement had 2.5 thousand residents. Now – a little more than 1000 (people actively travel to the big cities of Cyprus and other countries).
The village is famous for two things practically all over the world. We are talking about hand-made lace, called “lefkaritika”, and intricate silverware, made using the “filigree” technique. Their reputation has spread far beyond the borders of the country – many people go to Cyprus to buy a souvenir. During a walk, you can see craftswomen who weave lace right on the streets. This skill is passed down from mother to daughter, and workshops and shops where luxurious napkins, bedspreads, tablecloths, handkerchiefs and other works of art are created right before your eyes are found at every step.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Lefkara managed to survive thanks to brisk trade. Now the locals have learned to combine it with tourism, so all the traditional tourist attractions are present here – cozy taverns, old districts, panoramic viewpoints, wineries, etc.
With the onset of summer, the village turns into a real anthill. Its streets are filled with excursion groups from all over Cyprus and abroad, and the parking lots are filled to capacity with various types of transport. If you are not ready for such a crowd of people, come on holiday in the spring or autumn. In the off-season in Cyprus it is not so hot, you can calmly walk along the numerous pedestrian paths – there are many beautiful places, the nature and architecture here are truly gorgeous.
Historical background
The first records of the village of Lefkara in Cyprus were made in the 12th century, together with the name of St. Neophytos, who was born nearby. A little later, it was mentioned as a resort for the noble families of Venice. However, world fame came here after the visit of Leonardo da Vinci. The famous Italian artist was so impressed by the art of lace weaving that he used the works of local craftswomen to decorate the central altar of the Duomo di Milano. After this, “lefkaritika” was put into serial production and began to be supplied to Europe.
What to see in Lefkara?
The village of Lefkara in Cyprus is a truly unique place, filled with many unusual sights. We invite you to take a virtual walk.
Village streets
The architectural style of the village has remained unchanged for many centuries. The government takes care of the preservation of ancient buildings and invests a lot of money in the restoration of the most important buildings. It is thanks to this that in Lefkara you can see houses from the 10th century and two-story buildings dating back to the 18th-19th centuries.
If you decide to take a walk around the area, leave your car in the center in the parking lot near the school and go and see the cozy courtyards with flowers, grapes, basil, medlar, a typical clay oven and huge barrels, which once stored wine and olive oil. Looking at them, you get the impression that the neighbors have arranged a competition among themselves: whose courtyard is more picturesque. In addition, almond trees bloom in Cyprus already in February, so the surroundings become even more beautiful. However, vases with greenery and wildly blooming flowers in this village even stand along the sidewalks.
The locals build their houses from stone and white limestone and cover them with terracotta tiles. They are mostly inhabited by artisans and traders. Some buildings have openings that allow you to look into the patio, others are two-story buildings with elegant balconies and tiled floors. But the most important thing is the doors. Each one is very beautiful, decorated with unusual details and unlike the others.
Historical center
The historic district of Lefkara is centered around the pedestrian street Charilaou Trikoupi. It is paved with cobblestones and also richly decorated with flowers of various colors. There are also a large number of cafes, souvenir shops and small shops where you can buy “lefkaritika” and silver.
Church of the Holy Cross
Timios Stavros Church is the most famous of the local churches, its ringing can probably be heard in every corner of the village. The temple was built in the 14th century with funds from the king’s wife. Several centuries later, a beautiful bell tower was added to it, for the bells of which donations were collected from almost all over the world. But the main value of the temple is considered to be a piece of Christ’s Crucifixion and a cross made of pure silver, the age of which exceeds 700 years. It is for this reason that the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is celebrated in Lefkara with such a grandeur.
Holy Cross School
When looking at photos of Lefkara, one cannot help but notice the school, built in 1920 on a plot of land belonging to the monastery. It is decorated with a large clock, donated by a well-known embroidery merchant in the village. At present, it houses the district primary school.
Lyceum and Gymnasium (School of the Holy Cross)
An educational institution built in 1930 with funds from local residents. At first, only girls could attend it, after the end of World War II it turned into a general school with 4 classes, and in the 60s it was finally reorganized into a 6-class gymnasium. Another 20 years later, the institution was re-profiled into a secondary school and lyceum. A huge number of children studied there. Many of them became respected members of society – not only in Cyprus, but also abroad.
Pigi’s Source
The healing spring “Pigi” is located in the southeast of the village at its lowest point. According to an ancient legend, Lefkara owes its appearance on the map of Cyprus to it. Houses in this area are even now built in the form of an amphitheater located around the spring. What is also curious is that all the roads from this place go up the mountain slopes. Nowadays, traditional Epiphany ceremonies are held here.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to Lefkara is from Larnaca – they are separated by 48 km (about an hour by car). There are several ways to cover this distance.
Method 1. By bus
There are no direct bus routes, you need to change. The place to board the bus is the Finikoudes embankment (near the monument to Kimon of Athens). Green Intercity #408 goes to the village of Stafmos Kofinou. There, change to route #405 to Lefkara. The ticket costs 8.5 €.
Method 2. By rented car
Easier, faster and more convenient. You can rent a car for any number of days. The rental price depends on the season and class of car. The minimum price is 12 €. If it is a middle class – from 15 to 30 € in the low season and from 25 to 40 € in the high season in Cyprus . To get to the place, follow the A1 highway.
Note! If you are coming from Limassol, stick to the A5 highway. The distance between Lefkara and the city of Nicosia is 45 km. The village is only 12 km from the Nicosia-Limassol highway.
Useful tips
If you decide to visit Lefkara, take note of a few important tips:
- This is a tourist village, so there are small shops with local embroidery and silverware on almost every corner. And there are so many of them that a logical question arises: are local craftsmen and craftswomen able to fill the shelves with such a quantity of goods? Of course not, so most of the products are made in China. To distinguish the original from a Chinese fake, carefully examine the product for a label with the legendary Made in China. It should also be noted that real lefkaritika is exclusively double-sided. It is based on natural linen, and 3 colors are used for embroidery of traditional geometric patterns – pistachio, white and beige.
- For fishing enthusiasts, we recommend going to one of the reservoirs located in the village outskirts. The first is called Lefkara and is located above the village, a little higher in the mountains. The second, Dipotamos, is located at the foot of the Troodos Mountains . The reservoirs are home to rudd, largemouth bass, tilapia, carp, etc. A license is required to catch fish, but it is easy to obtain (it can be a one-time license, a yearly license, a license for both reservoirs, or just one). Storks and pelicans can also be seen in Dipotamos.
- Lefkara, Cyprus is a hospitable village. Local cafes and restaurants serve very large portions, but if you don’t finish them, you can offend the cooks and waiters. By the way, coffee in local establishments is only instant.
- It is impossible to leave Cyprus without wine. Special varieties of grapes grow here that simply do not take root in other climates. The vineyards are protected by the state, and you can only take wine out of the country (fresh berries are not allowed). The most popular varieties are Mavro and Xynisteri.
- When buying lace or filigree silver, be sure to bargain – it is not prohibited.
