Nicosia is the capital city of our island in the sun, nestled at the crossroads of Europe and with a diverse cultural heritage. What might not be the first thing you’d expect to hear though, is that Nicosia has its own wine producing region.
There’s plenty to see in Nicosia city centre: historic monuments, such as the Venetian Walls, its many museums and plenty of places where Cypriot wine is consumed including excellent bars, restaurants and cafes. For a great range of wines visit OINOTRIA (wine bar and cellar), who are building quite a name for themselves as wine specialists, importers and distributors.
Once you have walked around the city, do not hesitate to escape to its surrounding areas; short distances and modern road networks will facilitate your trip and afford you the opportunity to experience the wild beauty of the Cypriot countryside. From Machairas Forrest and its historic monastery, to the tip of the Troodos Mountains, there is much to discover. One place worth visiting is St. Panteleimonas Monastery (Ahera) that lies west of Nicosia and dating back to the 18th century. Also interesting is the Church of Varnavas and Ilarionos in the village of Peristerona, an excellent example of Byzantine Cypriot architecture from the 9th century.
The Church of St.Barnabas and St.Ilarionas-Peristerona
Although it was abandoned during the 19th century, Fikardou Village has been declared an important historical landmark and is a testament to traditional architecture and woodworks from the 18th century. The village is also home to the Agricultural Museum. The village of St. Varvaras houses the last remaining workshop from the first Industrial Era, where homes and work areas were under one roof. It displays equipment dating back to 1920, including a flour mill, an olive crusher and a grape crusher. Taking a south-westerly direction, one will encounter the Royal Tombs of Tamassos. This village is known for the grand limestone statues from the 6th century that are displayed in its Archaeological Museum. Close by is the Holy Monastery of St. Heraklidou, built in 1773. During your expedition to the countryside, do not forget to sample some traditional delicacies and discover the culinary secrets of the Cypriot cuisine, famous for being the richest and most abundant of the Mediterranean.
The rich natural and cultural heritage of the region around Nicosia offers walkers excellent opportunities for daylong expeditions. Two of the best walking routes in the area are Madari Circular Walk (13 km long) and the logistically more difficult route connecting the Unesco World Heritage churches of Stavros tou Agiasmati and Panagia tou Araka (a 7.5 km long linear route). The walks can be combined with stops at beautiful churches, picturesque villages and possibly watermills and medieval bridges.
The districts of Cyprus are divided into Nicosia, Kyrenia, Ammohostos, Larnaka, Lemesos, and Pafos, Nicosia, also known as Lefkosia boosts a central location with access to the Troodos mountain ranges and the regions of Tylliria and Morphou, giving Nicosia sea access. This means that Nicosia benefits from bordering every single district. So, where ever you may be in, one is not far from Cypriot Wine Country.
Wine Route
This enlightening route passes through Lefkosia, Skarinou, Lefkara, Kato Drys, Vavla, Ora, Odou, Farmakas, Gourri, Fikardou and ends at Kalo Chorio.
Comprising the expanse of the mountainous areas of both Larnaka and Lefkosia, this varied route is one that marries the old vinicultural history of the island with the new, modern face of the winemaking industry.
Passing through 10 villages, the route takes in three wineries, quaint museums and workshops. Even though it is outside of the traditional wine regions, there are active winemakers here who have planted vineyards with the white varieties of Assyrtiko, Malvasia Aromatica, Chardonnay Xynisteri and Sauvignon blanc, and the red varieties of Maratheftiko, Cabernet and Merlot – ensuring their fast integration into the island’s winemaking portfolio.
A love of wine is combined with other cultural aspects along this route, such as the inclusion of the village of Lefkara – famous for its handmade lace embroidered linens and delicate filigree silver – along with the village of Fikardou, which is home to one of the oldest traditional wine
As many of you are still enjoying your ‘summer holidays’ in Cyprus now, we do encourage you to take a day’s break from the beach and get to know the old and new vinicultural history of our island. This is what we will do, at least!
Credit: Nicosia Tourism Board & VisitCyprus