Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The main street is no more than a few hundred metres long, dominated by the Church
of Apostles St Peter & Paul. Opposite, there are some harrowing photos of four young
local soldiers (aged 22 to 24 years) who were killed during the Turkish invasion in 1974.
With little else to do, most visitors content themselves with a visit to the village's cafe-
cum-restaurant before moving on. Still, if you are in the region, a visit is recommended
since there are few places left in Cyprus that are as representative of the culture and ar-
chaeology of the recent past.
Just to the south, in pretty Lazanias , stop in at the Magic Lazania ( % 9653 0129; h 9am-4pm
Tue-Sun) with its terrace overlooking the mountains and monastery. Owner Luis is a trained
chef, and it shows in the excellently prepared local dishes, such as kleftiko, courgettes
with eggs, and juicy chicken kebabs. Call ahead if you are a large group.
From these villages, roads lead by various routes to the higher reaches of the Troödos,
via the Pitsylia region, offering a slow but scenic journey into the mountains. This option
is particularly useful on weekends when Lefkosians in their hundreds storm the Troödos
via the main B9 road (through Astromeritis and Kakopetria) for picnics and a day out in
order to escape the city heat.
You will find a tavern or restaurant in most villages and even in out-of-the-way places
along the road. Many Lefkosians come to the country to eat on weekends and usually
have their favourite haunts.
Advertised widely around Agia Marina (population 630) is Katoï ( % 2285 2576; Agia Marina
Xyliatou; mains from €8; h noon-10pm) , overlooking the village itself. Its lights are visible from
some distance away at night, and it commands a great view over the Troödos foothills and
the Mesaoria. The restaurant serves solid Cypriot staples and an imaginative selection of
mezes.
There are, in the area, a number of pleasant picnic grounds, usually situated in cool and
leafy spots. Try the Xyliatos Dam near the village of the same name, or Kapoura , on a
picturesque back road (F929) linking Vyzakia with the B9; or, alternatively, higher up in
the Maheras Forest south of Pera at Skordokefalos , along the E902 leading to the Ma-
heras Monastery. All picnic grounds in this region have barbecue areas, tables, chairs and,
most importantly, shade.
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