Korakou

Korakou is a village of Nicosia in Cyprus and it is situated 59 kilometers southwest of the homonymous city, 53 kilometers north of Limassol, 104 kilometers northwest of Larnaca and 91 kilometers northeast of Paphos.

Built at an altitude of 430 meters in the Troodos mountain range, near the west bank of the Karkotis River and in a landscape divided by small streams, Korakou belongs to the geographical region of Solea and is a beautiful mountainous, semi-mountainous settlement with a unique natural environment and beautiful houses of folk architecture. On both sides of the Karkotis valley the relief differs somewhat abruptly, thus providing protection for the crops from the winds. In fact, to the west of the village, the mountainous relief reaches 921 meters altitude (peak Mosfileri). Though a large area is uncultivated, fruit trees (apple trees, pear trees, peach trees, plums and fig trees), vineyards of winemaking varieties, olives, legumes, barley, few vegetables and almonds are cultivated in the area. Part of the Troodos forest to the west of the settlement falls within its administrative boundaries, while a short distance to the north of the village, the Skouriotissa mine contributed in providing work for many residents, up until the Turkish invasion.

Its name comes from an ancient king or the first settler called Korakas, but a second version refers to the many crows that existed in the area (koraki is the “crow” in Greek). The village dates back to the period of Frankish rule, when it was part of a feudal estate, while before 1307 it was granted to King Henry II of Cyprus.

Korakou was a mixed village until 1964, a period when intra-communal riots began, and the few Turkish Cypriot residents moved to the neighboring Turkish Cypriot and mixed villages, as part of Ankara’s instructions for the creation on the island of Turkish enclaves. After the Turkish invasion of 1974, Greek Cypriot refugees arrived in the village from the occupied territories of northern Cyprus, mainly from the Morphou plain.

The most important sights of the community are its four churches. The main church is dedicated to Panagia Eleousa and is located in the center of the village. It was built in the 18th century and is one of the largest three-aisled churches in Cyprus with colonnades and arches. Outside, the roof is wooden with anchored tiles, but on the inside it forms a semi-cylindrical form, resulting in the impression that it is constructed with stones. One of the most impressive elements is the stone and carved bell tower with various Byzantine motifs, which has been preserved by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus. Significant relics in the temple are the portable icon of Archangel Michael, which is attributed to the folk painter Minas from Myrianthousa, who lived in the 15th century, the double sided icon of the 17th century of the Virgin Mary Aristokratousa, at the back of which the Crucifixion is depicted, as well as the icon of the 18th century of Jesus Christ, attributed to painter Gavriil Kykkotis. In 1765, the Archbishop of Kyrenia, Chrysanthos, gave the church a Gospel of 1754 that was printed in Venice by the printing house of Nicholas Sarou.

The church of Apostolos Loukas, restored by the Department of Antiquities in 1999 and 2000, is a one-storied and vaulted building of 1697 with a wooden roof and anchored tiles, as have most of the Troodos churches in order to withstand the difficult weather conditions. The temple hosted the 18th-century silver Holy Vessel donated by the then Metropolitan of Kyrenia, Sofronios (1773- 1791).

The church of Agios Mamas is at the heart of the community, standing on a hill and dates back to the 18th century. Its most remarkable heirloom is the icon of Saint Mamas, a work of the 15th century by a painter of Constantinople, which can be found in the Morphou Metropolis in the village of Evrychou. The church of Agia Varvara, repaired by the Department of Antiquities in 2002, is a 16th century building and is located just outside the village, next to the abandoned Turkish Cypriot village of Agroladou.

Another important point of interest in Korakou is the old stone water mill, built on the west bank of the river and next to the equally stunning stone bridge. From the water mill there is still a part of the funnel and part of the stone groove that led the water to the funnel.

The bridge was built with stones from the river and has an arch of carved limestone stones and on its edges it also has stone parapets. Recently, iron railings have been added for the safety of the visitors. To the east, there is access by stairs built by the Department of Water and leading to a small bridge from where the visitor can see the stone bridge.