Vouni

Vouni is a perfect postcard village, situated on the southern slopes of Troodos mountain range. It is a village of Limassol district and part of the geographical region of the “wine-villages”, also known as “Krasohoria”.

Despite not having any written historical references concerning the village, it is believed that Vouni existed since the Medieval Ages. The settlement appears on Venetian maps as “Voni”, however it seems that the community was situated southern than today. The name “Vouni” means low mountain, and it was given to the village due to the location it is built on.

This charming little village preserves to a large extent many elements of the mountainous folk architecture, making it an outstanding sample of the hilly region of Limassol. The stone-built houses, clustered on the mountainside, are on their entirety old two-storey mansions, with a central wooden entrance leading to a beautiful courtyard. The yard is usually decorated with big wine jars, plants and trees, and the various rooms of the house are surrounding it.

Apart from the architectural tradition of Vouni, exploring further its rich heritage will offer a memorable experience to the visitor. In the entrance of the village are located two water basins, the first being a remnant of the Venetian ruling of the island and the second an example of the Ottoman era. Near the basins is found the Oenology Center, a space dedicated to the tradition of wine in the region. Additionally, one cannot leave behind the Museum of Folk Art which exhibits various elements of previous eras from the daily life, such as furniture and clothing.

The religion has been always an important aspect of the community, and also a characteristic of the island’s culture. The main church of the village, Timios Prodromos Church (dedicated to St. John the Baptist) is a single-aisled basilica with ribbed vault and stone-built exterior. Significant is the detailed decoration of the belfry, while also noteworthy are the 19th century frescoes on the interior of the church. Next to the church, is located the Ecclesiastical Museum which houses ancient icons dating back to the 16th century. Few more churches and chapels are located outside the village, towards the road to Limassol. The first one, Panagia Peravouniotissa, dedicated to Virgin Mary, is nestled among the vines on the south of the village. Few meters further is located a small chapel dedicated to Saint John the Russian (in Greek “Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Ρώσσος”), receiving numbers of visitors throughout the year, and on the road towards Agios Amvrosios village is situated Chrysosotiros chapel (Chapel of the Holy Transfiguration), a stone-built rectangular temple with a dome.

Beyond the cultural inheritance, Vouni, for centuries, has been a wine-making village. It produces a significant quality of grapes and its hills are bursting with vines. The village is included in a route renowned of its wine production, the "Krasohoria" of Limassol, along with other 20 villages found in the southern slopes of Troodos mountains, including among others Omodos, Lofou and Kato Platres. Important to note is the fact that in the area, there is a cultivation of more than 20 varieties of red and white wine grape varieties. The region offers a combination of incomparable vistas, pairing with generations of passion that continue to create, until nowadays, some incredible wine.

Its rich local culture and the extraordinary climate has helped the village become one of the leading destinations for agrotourism. Making a journey to the past while strolling along the scenic alleys of the village or choosing to escape in a nearby winery to enjoy local wine, a visit to Vouni will never disappoint.