On the sea coast near the town of Protaras is a small village, which every year hosts a lot of tourists who appreciate the color and unusualness of these places.
The village is located on the plain, the elevations here are a rarity, that's why the village is called Liopetri, which literally sounds like "little stones". The village was lost on the coast of the sea bay and its location determined the occupation of local residents - fishing.
The village of fishermen
Walking along the seashore, you can see the fishermen's boats. At dawn, almost all the men of the village go out on their ships to the sea, and return only at sunset. The size of the catch depends on various factors, but more often fishermen have something to brag about. An unprecedented popularity among tourists has photos that captured fishermen during work or the holidaymakers themselves and local residents.
Why is it worth to visit?
One of the reasons why tourists want to get to Liopetri is a lot of different fish cafes and restaurants. The owners of the food stations honor the national traditions, but each tavern has its own tricks and secrets in the preparation of marine inhabitants. The menu will amaze you with a variety of dishes. Do not be afraid to try, all dishes are delicious and made with fresh products. The attendants are polite and courteous, which is also very pleasant.
After the meal, those who wish can make an interesting trip by boat on the bay. The fee for a walk is not high, but the impressions will be most pleasant. You can view the village from afar and take pictures of the local landscapes.
National crafts
Village women are very industrious and, besides everyday work, are daily engaged in weaving baskets. This folk craft glorified Liopetri all over the world. After all, the baskets made here are of extraordinary beauty and strength. Like many centuries ago, each piece is made by hand and is even more appreciated. Baskets from Liopetri can be used on the farm, they can also become a wonderful souvenir for your loved ones.
In addition to baskets, the village is famous for quality textiles. Women are weaving on machines, and after sewing things from textile and decorating them with embroidery. Such products will be great gifts, brought from the trip. Men, in addition to fishing, are fond of wood carving, their work you can find in any souvenir shop of Liopetri.
Liopetri in Cyprus is also popular because it grows potatoes of a rare variety, which is not equal to the taste that we eat. Be sure to try it and be pleasantly surprised!
A little bit about religion and churches
The village of Liopetri in size and standard of living is more like one of the towns of the island, because its population is just over 4 thousand people. Despite this, there are only two churches in the village, although more recently they were much larger. But the devastation during the war destroyed most of the unique architectural monuments. The churches that have survived to this day are distinguished by their national identity and demonstrate the excellent craftsmanship of the architects of that time.
One of the churches that survived the centuries is Agios Andronikos , which was built in the 15th century. The church has an interesting history, because at first it played the role of a Catholic church, but when the island was captured by the Turks, it was used as a mosque. The visiting card of the cathedral is an octagonal dome, which, perhaps, is nowhere else in the world. The church was closed for reconstruction, but not so long ago it opened its doors again for believers.
Another attraction of the village is the Church of the Virgin Mary , built in the 16th century. The peculiarity of this temple can be considered an ancient painting, which adorns the walls. Despite its fairly small size, the cathedral impresses with its grandeur and unshakable beauty.
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Modern Attractions
In addition to religious monuments, there are places in the village that are worth a visit. The modern landmark of Liopetri is a monument dedicated to the fighters for the sovereignty of the island state. According to the story, in 1958, Cyprus shuddered from the uprising of local residents against the British colonialists. The four young men courageously held the occupied territory, but in an unequal struggle they were brutally killed. The memorial carefully keeps their names, carved into stone.
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Every tourist should know this.
To explore the village of Liopetri and its surroundings, you will need one day. It is quite easy to get to it, it is enough to use the services of a local bus, but there is one minus - you need a transfer. There is a route in which there are no stops, but you need to spend a lot of time to wait for the desired flight. It is best to go by car, so you will spend less time.
Despite a quiet and measured life, the village of Liopetri in Cyprus attracts the attention of true connoisseurs of beauty and comfort. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world aspire to it, because there really is something to see. If you are among these lucky ones, you will certainly learn every corner of this wonderful place.