Linou
The village of Linou belongs to the administrative district of Nicosia and it is situated about 55 km southwest of the homonymous capital of Cyprus, 58 km from Limassol, 100 km from Larnaca and 120 km from Paphos.
Within a stone’s throw of the village of Flasou, in the geographical region of Solea, Linou is built on the fertile valley of the Karkotis river and at an average altitude of 310 meters.
The name of the village Linou (encountered with two spellings, Λινού or Ληνού) seems to have an ancient Greek root. The first spelling of the village (which is considered to be the most official) has probably derived from the flax seed that has been cultivated on the island since ancient times, as well as the fabrication of linen fabrics by residents of the area. In addition, many believe that this name may also be related to the worship of Linou, the son of Apollo and Psamathi. On the other hand, some scholars associate the name of the village with the linos, the stone basin where they pressed the grapes for the preparation of the wine, from which came the name of the god Dionysus (Linnaeus, the protector of the linos).
Since medieval times, Linou has been a feudal estate, although testimonies regarding the establishment of the village have existed since antiquity. Its history is inextricably linked to the mines of Skouriotissa and the myth of Rigena, who is said to have brought water to the community. A living part of its history is the abandoned settlement “Lemones” (to the northeast of the village).
In the wider area of Linou, olive, citrus, few vegetables, grain crops, legumes and some fruit trees are cultivated. There, in the past, flourished many traditional professions, such as the boat varnisher, the carpenter and the wood carver, but unfortunately they are no longer practised today.
In the community the visitor can see ruins from the flour mills that used to operate there in the past and serve the entire Morphou area. One can also visit the area’s Hero’s monument. The community council building dominates the center of the settlement, while the village is surrounded by several churches, such as the chapel of Agia Marina and the chapels of Prophet Ilias and Agii Saranda. The main temple and architectural gem of Linou is Panagia Chrysopantanassa, which is also situated to the village’s core.