Kannaviou
Kannaviou is a village in the province of Paphos in Cyprus and it is situated 29 kilometers northeast of the homonymous city, 77 kilometers northwest of Limassol and 172 kilometers southwest of Nicosia.
Built in the depths of the Ezousa river valley at an altitude of 350 meters and very close to the homonymous dam, Kannaviou is a relatively large settlement with vineyards, olive trees, beech trees, oak trees and plane trees, which has many places of natural beauty to offer to its visitor. The name of the village is linked to the abundance of cannabis fibers that existed in the village and was used to make ropes, twine, nets and fabrics. The production of cannabis has been stopped in the region, and there are no more remnants to recall these glorious times of the community.
The situated nearby 18-million-cubic meter dam of Kannaviou, built in 2006, harnesses the water of the Ezousa river, covering the irrigation needs of the eastern regions of the province and is a place of attraction for many tourists who want to enjoy the beautiful sight of the artificial lake and the surrounding green hills of the area.
At the entrance of the village, there is the local winery, a modern unit that produces selected wines from family vineyards and which have been awarded at local and international competitions, while accompanying the European leaders’ dinners when Cyprus held the EU presidency. Here, the visitor can taste native varieties (white dry “Ayios Chrysostomos”, Maratheftiko, Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé “Eros").
The central church of the community is the church of St. John Chrysostom, a modern building without a dome, and there is also the chapel of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Chryseleousa, built in a place with a panoramic view of the village.
There is also a beautiful excursion area with plane trees next to the river and shortly after the winery. The two restaurants of the village can satisfy even the most discerning gourmets, offering delicious appetizers, spit meat and the famous Kleftiko dish.
Very close to the community, there is the famous Panagia Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery (7 km) and the Holy Monastery of Paphos (8 km), two of the most important monasteries in the province. Chrysorrogiatissa is a magnificent building complex that was founded in the 12th century and is a place of pilgrimage for many local and foreign visitors (mainly from Russia), who come here in the thousands every year in order to admire the miraculous icon. The Holy Monastery is also one of the most ancient religious sites, since it was built in 300 AD. on the ruins of an ancient Greek temple of the king of Paphos Nicocles (374 / 373-361 BC), which was dedicated to Hera. Kannaviou is located very close to Agios Dimitrianos, Psathi, Asprogia and Polemi.