Village Lefkara in Cyprus
At every step in this small village, you will find a meeting with the historical past and the creative potential of local residents. Fans of elegant man-made mastery of sortiem will be able to cross the leftrician embroidery, silver filigree products.
In Lefkare, it will be possible to see a fragment of the Holy Cross in one of the churches of the village, to learn and move their own eyes behind the stages of the production of Lukuma, walk in the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci, who visited Lefkare in the 1480s.
And here you will be shown a house in which the Holy Neophyte was born, revered on the island of Holy Martyr.
How to get into the famous Cypriot village
Just 40 km separates LEFKAR from Larnaca. Driving on the road A 5 or in 5. From Limassol or from Paphos on the highway A 1 (towards Nicosia). Overcoming 59 km, fall in Lefkar. Following the Nicosia, choose the road A 1 (direction to Limassol). After splitting the road, carefully read the pointers. From the development will be a congress.
Public transport in Cyprus is not distinguished by punctuality and obligation. The bus may be late, do not come at all. Nevertheless, it has a schedule. To the village of Lefkara, a bus that makes a stop on the Naberezhnye Finikides (near the monument to Kimon Athens).
Only this is not a direct flight, you will need to make one transplant. From Larnaca, the bus follows the quinus, and from there in Lefkar.
Bus number 408 leaves from Larnaca to Quofin on weekdays at 05:30, 07:30, 13:45, 17:15; on weekends – 07:45, 10:00, 14:30.
Route number 405 "Quofina – Lefcara" will please such a schedule: On weekdays, the bus should be at 06:30, 08:30, 13:00, 14:30, 18:00; On Saturday, Sunday – 08:45, 10:45, 15:30.
How much will be a visit to Lefkar
A ticket to the Vacial Museum stands for adults 12 euros, for children – 4.50 euros. Museum of Pattsalos is also paid. The entrance to it costs 2.50 euros.
Ticket for the route " Larnaca Quofina" There – back will cost 8.50 euros (you will be 40 minutes from the way). Cofina Lefkara – about 4 euros (on the way for 20 minutes).
Calculate a certain amount for the purchase of local products and sweets.
Operating time in the village
Church of Timios Stavros opened all year, but (again, Cyprus "tradition" or necessity) the time of work depends on the month. From the first day of October to March all days of the week, except Sunday: 9: 00-13: 00, then break until 14:00, the temple is closed at 17:00. On Sunday, the church is open from 6:30 to 17:30, with a break for lunch 13: 00-14: 30. From April to the last day of September, she is glad to guests from 8:00 to 19:00 with a break 13: 00-15: 00. Sunday: from 6:30 to 19:00, break from 13:00 to 15:00.
The Museum of Wax figures in Lefkare is open from November 1 to April 30 from 9:00 to 17:00, in May-October, the time of work has been extended until 19:00.
Museum of Folk Creativity Expect Visitors all year round all days of the week, except Sunday. From Monday to Thursday, it is open from 9:30 to 16:00, on Friday and Saturday – from 10:00 to 16:00.
"Pattsalos House" works: April-September from 9:30 to 17:00. Before visiting the museum, all things are rented in the storage chamber.
How much will the walk in an amazing village
For a quick inspection of all the beauties of Lefkars, all its museums and shopping institutions will need at least 3 hours. If you walk through all churches in the village and the surrounding area, it will be not enough for 3 days.
To feel the National Spirit of the village, take all day. Do not regret the time to enjoy the Cypriot customs, picturesque area scenery, for dating life and lefkaris. In the village you can spend the night in a local hotel or rent a room in a private house. Since we came to rest, let him rest will be pleasant and unhurried.
LEFKARA – Village of creativity and skill
The road to the famous village of Cyprus passes by olive plantations, pine forests and citrus gardens. The village chose a place in the southwestern part of the Troodos Mountains.
Lefkara, geographical location, divided (conditionally, of course) to Pano and Kato Lefkar. The first is located 600 meters above sea level, the second is 100 meters away. The slopes of the mountain where the village is located, consist of silicon and limestone. The name of the village is translated from the Greek "White Mountains". Streets lined with limestone, houses built from him.
The first mention of the village we meet in the 12th century in the narrative of the Saint Neophyte, who left the native home, not wanting to marry parents. The mural of the temple of Archangel Mikhail date back to 12-15 centuries. The church itself was built in the 12th century. In the Middle Ages there is a lace.
In the 19th century, lace lefkars became known in Europe. The demand and popularity of works of the village of the village leads to the emergence of a school for learning this skill. Shop and shops for sale of products. Jeweler Jannis Karaolos puts silver fishing in the village. "Lefkaritics" in 2009 was introduced as intangible value, in the list of cultural heritage of UNESCO.
Prosperous once the village gradually comes to launch. The number of residents is currently not exceeding a thousand people. We observe the abandoned houses, empty alleys. But even in this state, locals were able to survive, organize the production of embroidery, silver products, confectionery. Lefkara is kept afloat due to its past, promoted attractions and, of course, diligence of the population.
"Wealth" of the popular village of Cyprus
About 20 churches are located in Lefkara and the surrounding area. Of particular interest is the temple of Timios Stavros with a fragment of a life-giving cross.
In Kato Lefkare in the temple of Arkhangel Mikhail, built in the 12th century, the interior decoration was decorated with frescoes, made from 12 to 15th century.
Residents of the village boasts the museum of wax figures. It is not Madame Tussao Museum, but the place is worthy of visits. It presents the persons significant in the history of Cyprus, as well as see here and scenes from the ancient history of the island.
What the village is famous for, you can see and surprised at the Museum of Folk Creativity. It exhibits the brightest samples of local embroidery, silver products. Since the museum is located in the feast of Pattsalos, then at the same time look at the house of the richest family Lefkara to familiarize yourself with the objects of the life of the Cyprus Sneborne Housing.
For meeting local cuisine, more precisely, with her masterpieces, go to the cafe "Tasties" (goody), located not far from the main temple in Pano Lefkare. Very cozy place, fireplace in the evenings, game on the host of the host, Cypriot dishes of the lefkar version will be remembered for a long time.
In the center of the crafts can see the process of witchcraft to create works from silver.
We advise you to go to the family factory "Stalio & Teodorra Creative, "where 120 years produce a bite. Products of this family are awarded awards in Greece, in Cyprus, in the UK for the quality and dedication to tradition. Factory is located on Timiu Stavrova Street. Note the fact that in Cyprus there are only two well-known, proven to be the center for the production of Lukuma. One in the village of Heroskipu (Paphos), the other in Lefkare.
Slavny village and places in which Leonardo da Vinci visited. What is true, and that fiction in all stories related to the famous world personality, no longer disassemble. And I need?
Great Master, having been in the village, bought a large tablecloth, embroidered by local craftswoman. Upon arrival in Milan, he presented it with a local cat. It is assumed that the lefkariic tablecloth is immortalized in the "Last Evening" in the fresco, laughing in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazi (Milan).
According to legend, Da Vinci painted the arch chapel of Ayos Mamas in Lefkare. But local residents considered that the drawing of the Great Creator did not correspond to the traditions, and washed off his creation. And in the hotel "Agora" there is "Leonardo Room". It is rumored that this place once occupied the inn, where the great artist stopped. See it’s impossible to see the room, since the building is non-residential.
Surprise and the presence of a sports center in the village. Who is used to keeping your body in a tone, can not stop our classes here.
After 1974, many Turkish houses in the village were thrown. Now you can wander through the empty courtyards, to inspect the household utensils of the lefkaris.
Not far from Lefkara is a female monastery of St. Minos. According to the legend, the desire to be mounted in it comes true. You can check or disprove this legend.
To miss anything (tourists’ tips)
– In the cafe, give apple pie, local sandwiches of huge sizes, traditional bite. You can order a sweet souvenir with you to the track, you will pack sweetness in a beautiful box.
– For fans of fishing in stock Two reservoirs: "Lefkara" and "Dipotos". There is a possibility to purchase a one-time license. Based in local waters of carps, perch, red-pan. You can see the pelicans and storks here.
– Every year, at the end of the summer, the craftsmen of embroidery in Lefkara spend an exhibition of their works, on which all young girls who wish to learn "Lefkaritics" receive master classes from professionals of this creativity. Although the best lace is considered the weaves of Venetianok ("Retichechell") on the island of Burano, lefkar women, having undermined the experience of Venetian, having enriching the technique of embroidery by folk motifs, the beauty and uniqueness of their works are not inferior to the founders of lace.
– Especially be attentive when purchasing products "Lefkaritiki". Fakes can be avoided if you look at the product: the original has a double-sided, geometric ornament, performed in one color (white, beige or dark olive).
– Walking on the main street village – Timiu Stavr – you will find a lot of interesting shops and souvenir benches, where you can buy memorable things about the trip to this amazing creative place.
