Léfkara

Located at the base of the Troodos Mountains, Lefkara is a traditional village situated in the Larnaca district. The village is divided administratively into "Pano" (Higher) Lefkara and "Kato" (Lower) Lefkara, forming two separate and autonomous municipalities.

The prevailing theory regarding the origin of the village's name suggests that "Lefkara" is derived from the Greek words "λευκά" ("lefka," meaning white) and "όρη" ("ori," referring to mountains or hills), owing to the characteristic white limestone found in the surrounding area.

Lefkara has garnered international acclaim for its lace embroidery handicrafts, known as "Lefkaritika," which have been inscribed in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Even today, as visitors wander the village's cobblestoned streets, they can observe women sitting outside, skillfully creating this unique and intricate form of art.

Furthermore, the Local Ethnological Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith-work houses a fascinating collection of handmade lace from Lefkara. The museum, situated in the 19th-century Patsalos House, not only showcases old Lefkara embroidery but also exhibits traditional costumes, silverwork, furniture, and tools used in daily life during that era.

At the heart of the village stands the Church of the Holy Cross, a sizable chapel dating back to the 14th century. Additionally, Lefkara boasts numerous small chapels, including the Byzantine chapel of Archangel Michael, adorned with frescoes that date back to the 12th century.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the picturesque scenery of the village and its surrounding natural beauty by exploring the Natural Trails. The area offers two such trails, one leading from Lefkara to Kato Drys, a neighboring village, and the other leading from Lefkara to the Church of Metamorfosis tou Sotiros (Transfiguration of the Saviour Church), a small church constructed in the 14th century and perched atop the mountain called "Sotira" ("the Saviour").