Kellaki

Kellaki is a village in the district of Limassol in Cyprus, and is situated approximately 30 kilometers from Limassol, 70 kilometers from Nicosia, almost 60 kilometers from Larnaca, and more than 100 kilometers from Paphos.

At an altitude of about 650 meters, Kellaki is built on the slopes of a mountain plundered by pirates in the old times, and to the north it has uninterrupted views of the mountains Kionia, Madari and the Troodos range.

Historically, Kellaki was already inhabited by the end of the Byzantine period. Other testimonies link the development of the village with the Order of the Templar Knights and, afterwards, with the Knights of Great Commandaria.

The name of the village is connected with the tradition of Christian religious asceticism, which began in the 3rd AD, and wanted the monks to be isolated in small rooms (cells, kellia in Greek, hence the name) in hard to reach, steep and peaceful places. After the first monk who built at that location left his cell, the settlement of Kellaki was created and subsequently developed. Another version, however, connects the name of the settlement with the famous cells of the castle of Rigena, the famous noble of those times.

Today, it is renowned for its excellent climatic conditions, as well as for the most delicious tomatoes produced on the island. After the years went by, the settlement grew and was turned into a main village, and its residents covered their fields with vineyards, as well as fruit and vegetable crops. Subsequently, the village was affected by urbanization, like all mountainous and hilly villages. Thus, the about 200 residents of Kellaki, like in other neighboring villages, commute daily to Limassol, where they work, while also cultivating their fields.

Today, it is renowned for its excellent climatic conditions, as well as for the most delicious tomatoes produced on the island. After the years went by, the settlement grew and was turned into a main village, and its residents covered their fields with vineyards, as well as fruit and vegetable crops. Subsequently, the village was affected by urbanization, like all mountainous and hilly villages. Thus, the about 200 residents of Kellaki, like in other neighboring villages, commute daily to Limassol, where they work, while also cultivating their fields.

The Monastery Zoodochos Pigi Kellakiou is yet another cultural attraction in Kellaki as well as the small church of Agia Marina with the ancient olive trees, next to the cemetery, built in 1744.

Kellaki has several cafes and a restaurant with rooms for rent, on which premises is also housed a private museum with ancient Cypriot vessels. Moreover, the settlement offers medical services, a soccer field and large parking lots. In this community also operate two carpentry construction workshops, as well as a traditional Cypriot bakery.

Going from Kellaki towards the Sanida village, there is a large picnic area with access for the disabled and amazing views all the way to Limassol. There, there is also the ruined chapel of Archangel Michael with the ancient monument, and the local quarry.

Access to Kellaki is easy via the new highway linking the villages with the capital, and entirely enjoyable, through a route surrounded by green hills.