Kambos Levkosias
Kambos Levkosias is a Nicosian village in Cyprus and it is situated 90 kilometers southwest of the homonymous city, 78 kilometers northwest of Limassol, 135 kilometers west of Larnaca and 72 kilometers northeast of Paphos.
Built on a smooth slope of the Kykkos mountains, near the Paphos forest and very close to Tsakistra and in a valley that starts from the Kykkos forest and advances north, ending in the bay of Morphou, Kambos Levkosias of the approximately 400 inhabitants is built at an altitude of 700 meters. The homonymous river of Kampos flows through the valley and has its source in the village, under the famous oak of the community (“Oak of Piphani”). The oak trees, the plane trees and the pine trees dominate this mountainous landscape, which also hosts the only endemic agrinos, a species of sheep that is found only in Cyprus. The arable land consists of a few vines, fruit trees, citrus trees and seasonal crops along the river, with cherries, tomatoes, gherkins and green beans being the best products produced by the place.
A very organized and small settlement with its houses built on the slopes of the river valley between the pine trees, Kambos Levkosias has a health center, elementary school, mini market, police and fire station, cultural center, cooperative offices and the Forest Museum of Kambos Levkosias or the Folklore Museum of Kambos Levkosias, two of the ornaments of the community. The village is an ideal destination for enjoying nature, tranquility and good food or coffee in the huge square of the village. If you wish to extend your stay in the area, there are some rooms to rent.
The village’s name came from the small plateau in which its first houses were built (kambos means plain, plateau in Greek), but a second version refers to the Latin word “campus”, as in the area where the village was built, in the 4th century AD. copper was processed and the staff were housed in a local camp. Some mention it as Kambos Tsakistras, due to the proximity to the community.
Kambos Levkosias exists since the Venetian domination, which is confirmed by the existence of many temples in the region, as well as the Monastery Panagia ton Iliakon of the 15th century, but the settlement was especially developed during the British occupation, when the church, the primary school and the bridge where built, resulting in the Xerou-Kambos-Kykkou road. The 1970s urbanisation did not leave the community unaffected, with many residents fleeing to the large urban centers of the island. In the past, logging and woodworking workshops were flourishing in the area, which then transported the treated timber to all the provinces of the island.
On the square with the huge plane trees, except the taverns and the cafeteria, there is Krya Vrissi, one of the springs of the river that crosses the village. Some of the springs are approachable by steps that descend into the specially designed river bed. A very small bridge leads to the other side of the river. The drinking fountain of Anephani and Vrisi ton Strematon are located to the north of the village.
The main church of the village is dedicated to Saint Kyriakos the Anachoritis, an impressive three-aisled basilica of 1881, surrounded by cedars and cypress trees. The temple, the largest wooden temple in the whole of Cyprus, was built in the place of a small church that existed during the Frankish domination. From this chapel, the icons of Christ, Virgin Mary, John the Theologian and St. Nicholas are preserved to this day. In the western part of the church there is a wooden pallet with excellent carvings, while the wood-carved iconostasis is made of walnut wood and among its icons is also the Virgin Mary of Iliakon. The church, renovated in 2000, features a two-story marble bell tower of 1932 with three bells, two of which are electrically operated. Saint Kyriakos lived in the 5th century and celebrates on September 29th.
The chapel of Agia Varvara, 10 kilometers outside of the village, and the 15th-century Virgin Mary Iliakon, destroyed during the Ottoman domination, are situated near the main road Kykkos-Stavros tis Psokas, and complete the image of the local religious points of interest.
The iconic Kykkos Monastery, which is visited by thousands of people every year, is about 10 kilometers away from the village, while next to it are the Throni tis Panagias (Throne of Virgin Mary), the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III and its huge statue.
In Kambos Levkosias there is a park built in memory of a young local boy, who was murdered at a very young age, as well as a Hero’s monument near Agios Kyriakos the Anachoritis.
For those who love nature and walking, the Panthea Nature Trail offers a unique 10.1 km long trail, passing through a pine-tree forest with lush, bushy vegetation.