Today our path lies not in the mountains, where we usually go at weekends, but to an interesting small village, not far from Protaras, to get acquainted with another type of Cypriot villages – a fishing village.
Fishing village in Cyprus: the old tradition in a new format
The village is called Liopetri, which means “little stones”. The name was given due to the fact that around the settlement you will not find cliffs and hills, and the village itself stretches along the coast of the bay, formed in place of the dried bed of the same named river. This has determined the fate of the inhabitants of the village for many years: from ancient times the male population was engaged in fishing, delivering the freshest fish to nearby restaurants and tourist centers.
The first thing you notice in Liopetri are the lots of moored fishing boats of all sizes. At dawn, the men go out to the sea to return in the evening with a rich catch. If you get a chance, be sure to take a picture of the local fishermen, these colorful images will remain a long memory!
And then by all means go to one of the restaurants on the bay. These cozy places annually attract hundreds of tourists in Liopetri, because the owner of each of them has its own secrets of cooking fish dishes and seafood. Only here you will be served the freshest fish, squid and cuttlefish, octopus and shellfish, cooked accordingly to the recipes that have passed from generation to generation within the years.
You should not overeat, because a leisurely walk along the bay is still waiting for you. By the way, you can also experience a ride around the bay in a fishing boat: it is inexpensive, and will remain as one of the most pleasant memories.
Local crafts
The village women do not lose time either: an ancestral craft in Liopetri is that of wicker basket making. For many years, the village was famous for its baskets far beyond Cyprus, but unfortunately, now in the village there are only two old women – carriers of these ancestral traditions and do not know what will become of the national craft in a few decades, so hurry to get acquainted with the vanishing craft.
These colorful and good quality products are works of art; each of the baskets is woven by hand with traditional means and each basket is unique. In addition to the baskets, in the village they make very high-quality textiles and glassware. Here you can buy very nice things that are decorated with handmade embroidery.
In the souvenir shops you can also find other traditional souvenirs of Cyprus – wood with intricate carvings made by local craftsmen – men who are engaged in this old folk craft in their spare time activities.
Local potatoes – an export product
And in the surroundings, which are called “Kokkinochoria” translated as “red earth villages”, due to the red soil, the famous Cypriot potatoes grow here, the main feature of which in addition to their unforgettable taste is that they do not darken after cleaning. Cyprus potatoes from this area are so famous that they are exported to the UK and other European countries.
The unique architecture and frescoes of the ancient temples
The population of the village of Liopetri is about 4,000 people, which is quite a lot according Cypriot standards. Perhaps this village can even be called a small town. Despite the significant number of residents in the village, there are only two churches, although in the past there were 7. However, time and destructive wars were merciless to the religious heritage and led to the fact, that the most beautiful architectural structures have sunk into oblivion.
One of the surviving churches, allowing us to appreciate the skill of its ancient architects, is the temple of Agios Andronicus, erected in the XV century in honor of Saint Andronicus. Initially, the church was a Catholic chapel, but during the Ottoman domination it served as a mosque. The main feature of this building is the octagonal dome. Recently, the church exterior was restored and now it looks very impressive. The bell tower, which rises over the temple, gives it an impressive and solemn grace. Inside, the walls are decorated with original frescoes.
One should visit the church of the Virgin Mary, the base of which belongs to the XVI century. The main attraction of this monument are the walls with the ancient murals. This is not a very big temple; it preserves the impression of its natural beauty: its small porch, impressive walls, high bell tower and the unique architectural solutions make the church one of the most beautiful ones in Cyprus.
A heroic past
I would like to say a few words about modern attractions in Liopetri. There is a monument to national heroes, who took part in the fight against the British invaders; Kariosi Andreas, Christos Samaras, Elias Papakiriaku and Fotis Pittas. They threw grenades into houses, while they valiantly tried to hold back the enemy’s offensive.
Modern Liopetri
At some distance from Liopetri there is the valley with the windmills, which provide electricity to local residents and also supply water for the irrigation of the fields.
Perhaps at once it is difficult to get acquainted with all the sights of the village and its crafts, but if you want to learn more about the traditions and culture of Cyprus, imbue with the modern spirit of life in Cyprus and taste the delicious fish cuisine, you should definitely take the time to visit this, remote from the major cities, village.
