Lagoudera is an outstanding village, treasured not only for its exceptional natural beauty but also, particularly for the remarkable Byzantine Church of Panayia too Araka, internationally recognised for its magnificent frescoes.

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Built at the foot of Madari peak, at a height of 1,000 metres above sea levels Lagoudera is blessed with magnificent scenery and surrounds: tall mountains, steep ravines and innumerable rivulets flowing during the rainy season.

Stretching down through a wide, sweeping valley the view extends down as far as Peristerona plain, offering an enchanting spectacle, especially in the evening. At the lowest point; of the village there is a small vale known as "Petaoulia" which flourishes with orchards of varius fruit: apples, peaches, figs, pears, cherries and pomegranates, as well as almonds, chestnuts, hazelnuts, vegetables and olives. The vineyards of Lagoudera yield sweet wine and famous Zivania (eau de vie), and villagers follow the regional tradition of making 'sujouko' and 'palouze' (local specialities made from grape juice and floure) .

As the new road climbs past charming, vineclad village houses, the sweet scent of jasmin and aromatic basil fills the air. The colour of the tiled roofs blends harmoniously with the natural surrounds. The mair square of the village - known as 'Laona' - is the centre of activity during annual village festivals and fairs.
Lagoudera hosts one of the most important monuments of Byzantine art on the island of
Cyprus: the Church of Panayia tou Araka, one of nine churches in the Troodos Mountains which are included in Unesco's World Heritage List.
The magnificent frescoes of the church date to 1192. The architectural design of the church is very simple it stands in the shape of the cross with a dome in the middle.The ornate iconostasis, decorated with sheets of gold, dates to the 16th or the 17th century.

Next to the church stands an imposing oak tree, some 900--1,000 years old, called 'Gourounoklados'. Visitors to the church enjoy sitting awhile under its restful shade
Two nature trails start and end at Lagoudera, affording a unique opportunity for people who like to walk and savour the beauty of nature at its best.. One of these is the Madari trail and the other leads from Lagoudera to the Church of the Cross at Platanistassa

Lagoudera have participated in a big way in every struggle for the integrity of our country. In the village there is a hide-out of the guerilla fighters of the '55- '59 struggle.

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