Kapedes
The village of Kapedes is located 30 kilometers southwest of Nicosia in the homonymous province of Cyprus, and it is 50 kilometers southeast of Larnaca, almost 75 kilometers from Limassol, and about 160 kilometers away from Paphos.
Built on the site of the copper mines of the ancient kingdom of Tamassos, and forming part of the Machera forest, Kapedes has an average altitude of about 560 meters. This semi-mountainous settlement has only a few small fields of land to its north, while it is also wetted by the tributaries of Gialia and Pidia river. In the area there are also parts of an igneous complex of the Troodos mountain range.
The origin of the village’s name (Captor / Capedro) is open to many different interpretations. One says that the settlement was a part of an old monastery, from which 10 monks were exiled. Since then, the phrase “pano stous deka pedes (over at the ten men)” has prevailed, and the name “Kapedes” was created after the corruption of the phrase. Another version makes reference to the stockyards of the same monastery, where shepherds lived together with their families. Those shepherds were somewhat sly and fiendish and got the reputation of being evil, so the phrase “pao stous kakous paides (I go to the bad guys)” came out, which over time gave the settlement its modern name (Kapedes-Kapaides). Finally, a third version of the origins of the name of the village is related to the old mines, namely the “kapakia”, that is, the metal layer, which abounded in the area.
With reports already referencing the settlement since the Bronze Age, one of the largest copper processing plants has operated in Kapedes. Historically, there are reports that during the Roman Empire a volcanic eruption destroyed the settlement, and with it two other villages (probably northeast of the present community). The fact, however, is not confirmed by the geologists who studied the rocks of the island. In 1464, it is said that the village was given as a gift to Benedetto Vernazza, while Archimandrite Kyprianos states that the community was a subservient of the Archangel Monastery, and belonged to a Venetian family, probably to Benedetto Vernazza’s descendants, who eventually abandoned the area. The history of Kapedes continued to exist during the period of the Ottoman domination, and possibly under the Frankish and Venetian domination. In addition, some of the village’s estates belonged to the Mahaira monastery, so some of its monks had lived there. The community also fought during the liberation struggle against the English during the period 1955-1959, hosting the hero Grigoris Afxentiou in the days of his great pursuit, as well as actively participating in the Turkish rebellion in 1963, as well as in the Turkish invasion of 1974.
For many years, the area was the favorite of the residents of Nicosia who wanted to build their country home, which is no longer the case, since their interest has turned to the coastal fronts of Agia Napa and Protaras. Today, the village of Kapedes has about 500 permanent residents, of which few are farmers and stock farmers, due to the arid soil, so the largest area of the village grounds remains uncultivated.
The main sights of Kapedes are its two churches, Panagia Chrysogalaktousa (building of 1731), with the distinct frescoes of 1768, created by Leontios (monk at the Monastery of Agios Irakleidios), which is located in the center of the community, as well as Agios Georgios (building of the 19th century) with its arch, chapel and mosaics, both attract the interest of the visitor. In addition, there is an all-day primary school, a community library, a nursery school, and a community clinic (in the old school building). There is also a sports stadium, two clubs and a large market, as well as some taverns. In the wider area is also the excursion area, Kambiou’s Mantra.
Kapedes are within short distance of the Machaira Monastery and the settlement Politiko of Nicosia, bordering the villages of Analionta (in the northeast) and Kampia Orinis (to the north).