Farmakas

Farmakas is a village of Nicosia in Cyprus and it is situated 47 km southwest of the homonymous city, 48 km northeast of Limassol, 70 km west of Larnaca and 113 km northeast of Paphos. Built at an altitude of 960 meters in the Troodos Mountains, under the mountain top of Laxias and Stavropevkou, Farmakas of the approximately 400 inhabitants is located near the administrative borders of three provinces of the island: Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca. A mountainous settlement of modern architecture, at the same time traditional and modern, due to its rapid growth in recent years, the village is known for its water source that provides one of the clearest waters of Cyprus, producing the famous bottled water in the region’s factory, but also for its rich tomato production. The numerous national and international awards for the taste and aroma of the tomato of Farmakas, confirm its fame. In fact, every October, the annual Tomato Festival of Farmakas is held. This is not the only event devoted to the products produced by the place, as the famous Festival of traditional dishes and products of Farmakas is also held here each year. In the community there is also a winery, where the visitor can taste and see the production of the wine varieties of the region (xynisteri, red and shiraz) and eat in the restaurant that serves dishes of international cuisine.

The award-winning homemade sweets workshop with its uniquejams, soutzoukos (traditional Cypriot sweet, made with wine) and sweet preserves (walnut, cherry, watermelon, pear, bergamot and orange) satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooths, offering also more unusual flavors such as squash, onion, garlic and mushroom. The cafes of the village and the cafe-restaurant that serves traditional recipes such as stew, spit meat, kleftiko (lamb in the oven) and has a playground, complement the tourist infrastructure of the community. If someone wants to extend their stay in the area, there are guesthouses and renovated but traditional rooms for rent.

Historically, Farmakas has existed since Byzantine times and according to tradition, its name derives from the surname or profession of the first settler who was preparing medicine from the many herbs that grew up in the area (farmako is “medicine” in Greek). Another version says it came from the farmaki, as locals call the bitter cold that prevails during the winter months and a third version speaks of the area where herbs were collected for the preparation of medicine, made by the monks of the Monastery Machairas.

The church is located in the center of the village next to the cafe and is dedicated to Agia Irini, a stone built three-aisled basilica building with a 19th century dome and a tiled roof. The bell tower was added later. On the 5th of May, on the day of the feast of the saint, there is a big festival with a crowd of faithful coming from all over Cyprus. Saint Irini is considered a patron of the eyes.