The location of Louvaras serves to protect the
village from sharp north winds. It lies in a valley at the foot
of 'Kakomallis' mountain, at a height of 850 metres above sea-level.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The heady scent of pine in the air is unmistakable - emanating from
the thick pine forests to the north and south of. the village. In
springtime Louvaras and its surrounds are particularly pretty, suffused
with colour from flowering bushes and blossoming fruit trees, and
the sweet song of the nightingale -of which there are many - fills
the valley.
A 360-strong population inhabits this picturesque
location. Unlike other villages in the area, the community in Louvaras
is continually on the increase. The people of the village - hard-working,
cheerful and enterprising - work on building sites in Limassol and
in the late afternoon, on their return from work, they turn to the
cultivation of their vineyards and orchards .
Open minded people with a healthy respect for the future of their
village, the people of Louvaras have adjusted well to the modern
way of life. They have updated their rustic retreat and brought
it into the 20th century with attractive new buildings, a good road
network and delightful little streets. The living of the inhabitants
depends on the yield of their agricultural product, the building
industry and the offer of services. Louvaras people embody the spirit
of co-operation and this is evident both within the village itself
and with their neighbouring villages. With Kalo Chorio and Ayios
Pavlos, for example, Louvaras villagers collaborate in the making
of Zivania (Eau de vie).
Louvaras is a charming blend of traditional and modern. All the
old houses in the village are well preserved, and the stone walls
interspersed with tiles present a pretty patchwork effect. Spacious,
modern houses rub shoulders with the traditional buildings.
A constant reminder of village history is the wooden church of Ayios
Mamas, built in 1455 and painted with frescoes by Philippos Goulos
in 1495. It is a small rectangular church with rare frescoes on
three levels. On the two upper levels are 27 scenes featuring the
life of Christ. On the lower level, a series of rare lifesize frescoes
depicts various saints, and a painting of the Crucifixion takes
pride of place. The church has been renovated twice, the second
time - in 1994 - a community initiative.
200 metres from the village is a later church, built in 1866. And
just outside the forest is the chapel of Panayia of Kyra. The traditional
village press, used for both grapes and olives, will shortly be
opened as a museum, adding a new perspective to village history.
Louvaras is small by any standards. Yet the village plays an active
role in the furtherance of art, culture and education. The children
of the village receive their basic education at the regional school.
Its community is progressive and ambitious, with committed plans
for the future and the determination to realise them.
Back to the Cyprus
Information Page Cyprus
Villages Menu
|
