Lofou village is located to the north-west of Limassol, just 26 km from the city. It is on an average altitude of 780 meters and surrounded by the neighboring communities of Pera Pedi to the north (around 6.5 km) and Agios Therapon to the southwest (about 4.5 km).
The village was built during the time of the Arab invasions, when the inhabitants were forced to leave the coast for protection reasons. According to the historian, Leontios Machairas, Lofou was gifted around 1392 along with some other villages of the King of Cyprus James I (1382 - 1398) to his brother Janot de Lusignan, Lord of Beirut.
The period of British rule, according to the investigator Porakos (2004), transforms Lofou into a large vine. The continuous plantations of vines changed the image of the village, especially when the vines bloomed on the beautifully built and carefully preserved structures. Today, Lofou has slowly and gradually turned into an agrotourism resort in Cyprus.
The traditional products for which the village is famous for are wine, zivania and ppalouzes.
The square is the space created at the opening of the built area, in the center of the village and is used as a parking and sometimes for social events.
Architecture of the village: Lofou is built in the shape of an amphitheater and the roads follow the inclination of the hills. Most streets are paved with pebbles and the most marginal paths are dirt roads. A few years ago the streets were paved with plates, which has altered the traditional character of the village. The main street of the village is traditionally paved with pebbles. Today, most homes have been restored to their original form.
Wooden structures: The wooden structures are used on the roofs, the floor, the upper floors, the doors and the windows. The doors were made of large and thick boards, placed upright. In older homes the windows closed only with wooden shutters. Later on the glass was added, too.
The main road of the village
Most of the houses have been restored
The impressive wood work
Traditional road, paved with pebbles
Olive mill museum: The olive mill in Lofou is property of the Church and it was built around the 20th century. The building is a stone built rectangular construction with 2 rooms. The means of producing olive oil are in one room, while the other is used as a warehouse. The mill’s basic facilities includes the stone mill. Against one of the walls the fireplace is found, where they would boil the water.
'Skoutellin', the stone of the mill
The press
The first room of the museum
Machinery for oil extraction
The “Elitzi fountain” is about 1 km northeast of Lofou, in the middle of the distance to Silikou village, and it was constructed back in 1842. It took its name from the area it is located in. The cistem is decorated with beautiful, large openings, from which the Lofou residents would get water for their daily needs until 1953. After that year, the British built concrete fountains in various spots in the village.
The most picturesque streets of the village are the “Ionni Stavrianou” street, at the “Stavros” area in Lofou, as well as the central street of the village, paved with pebbles. Both streets exhibit the traditional, popular architecture of Lofou, showcasing the dominant building materials of the village, stone and wood.
Important historical personas emerged in the village, such as the hero of 1821, Ioannis Stavrianos, and the sergeant, Elias Kannaouros, who died in 1974. Both statues are located in the courtyard of the Primary School of Lofou.
Temple of the Annunciation of Mary: The village church is dedicated to the Annunciation of Mary. The building of the main hall began 1854 and was concluded in 1872. It is built on a small hill on the west side of Lofou, looking over the entire village. The length of it reaches 3,5 meters and its width is 13,3 meters.
The interior of Panagia Chrysolofitissa: The church has a single aisle inside, where one can see some visible influences from the Gothic art, especially on the temple’s roof. The artistic wooden templum on the east side of the temple and the master throne are creations of Eftichios Leptourgos from Larnaca. The interior of the church is also attributed to the work of another great artist, Othon Giavopoulos, grandfather of the former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Giorgos Vasileiou, who painted all the murals in the church between 1910 and 1919.
The temple's interior
The lions decorate the fountain
The eastern side of the temple
The temple stands out in the village
The belfries: On the exterior of the church, there are 2 stone built belfries, built back in 1910. The artistic, threefold belfry hosts a rather large bell with a deep sound.
Chapels: Lofou also has some chapels such as the ones dedicated to Agios Georgios, Profitis Elias, Agia Marina and the Holy Fathers.
Lofou Primary School is built on the village’s highest point. It is a classic building, which has incorporated elements of the traditional architecture of the houses. The construction of the new school’s building began in 1917. The Girls’ School moved into the new building, which was first intended for the Boy’s School, in 1937, and thus, the Mixed School of Lofou was founded.
Elias Kannaouros statue at the school yard
The gate way of the school
Ioannis Stavrinos statue at the school yard
The classic, stone built school
Lofou nature trail starts a few dozens of meters outside the village, heading to Silikou village, from the dirt road north to the village. It is around 1,5 km long and it follows a descending path towards Elitzi fountain, which provided the residents with water until 1842.
The currant along the trail has resulted to 1 small ecosystem with plenty of different kinds of the Cypriot flora and fauna, where high bushes and oak trees, as well as herbs are the dominant kinds of plantation.
Α well-preserved area with an enchanting view to the Kourris dam, the city of Limassol, the Akrotiri salt lake, as well as the roots of the villages west to Lofou, such as Kivides. It is an area with wooden benches, a playground for children and barbecue spots, around the chapel of Profetes Elias.
At Kyriakos’ small brewery, one can see the beer going through all the stages of fermentation, mixing with the special aromas of hops.
Kamares Tavern (25 470719)
Agrovino Tavern (25 470202)
Agrovino wine bar (25 470202)
Agrovino (25 470202)
Apanemia Inn (99 527711)
Lofou Palace (99 452866)
Oinoessa (99 373371)
Apokryfo Boutique Hotel (25 813777)
Xenios Cottages (99 666773)
Anefani House (99 632017)
Kazani House (96 499808)
Μetamorphosis Mansions (99 020249)
Constantias Stone Houses (96 671027)
MyLofou (99 663314)
Lofou Traditional Stone House (99 432632)
Folia Lofou
Agrovino
Apanemia Inn
Lofou Palace
Oinoessa
Apokryfo Boutique Hotel
Xenios Cottages
Anefani House
Kazani House
Metamorphosis Mansions
Constantias Stone Houses
MyLofou
Lofou Traditional Stone House
Folia Lofou
August 15th festival: The 4-day Festival during August, attracts around 5000 visitors and has been awarded as a “Europe for Festivals – Festivals for Europe” festival in 2015 – 2016.
Ppalouzes festival: The annual festival by the Expats Association, attracts around 2000 - 3000 visitors and treats everyone with fresh, warm ppalouzes and traditional activities.
Easter games: On Easter Monday at the village square, traditional games are organized for children and adults to participate.
Green Monday: On Green Monday, a traditional feast takes place with fasting buffet, music and dancing, kite-flying contests and games, at Profitis Elias picnic area.
Profitis Elias Chapel
Profitis Elias picnic site
Profitis Elias picnic site
Lofou nature trail
Lofou nature trail
Lofou nature trail
Lofou nature trail
Lofou nature trail
3.78 km
3.76 km
4.43 km
4.82 km
6.87 km
7.73 km
7.01 km
7.05 km
8.21 km
9.13 km
