Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Traditional Crafts
Cyprus continues its healthy tradition of folk arts, ranging from basket making to lacework.
Head for a branch of the
Cyprus Handicrafts Centre
in Nicosia, Lemesos or Pafos to guar-
antee authenticity and a fair price.
Karen Moller / getty IMAGES ©
Pottery
Decorative pottery is worth seeking out. You can't miss the enormous
pitharia
(earthen-
ware storage jars), often used as stylish plant pots. Originally used for storing water, oil or
wine, their sheer size renders them impossible to transport home. One of the best places to
learn about the history of the
pitharia
is at the
Folk Art Museum in Foini
in the Troödos
Mountains. Curator Theophanis Pilavakis, now in his 90s, is famed for making an enorm-
ous
pitharia
(on display here) that holds 2000 litres and made the
Guinness Book of Re-
cords.
The village of Kornos, between Lemesos and Larnaka, is also famous for its pottery,
as is Pafos and the southwest region of the Republic.
