Lagoudera

The village of Lagoudera belongs to the Nicosia province and it is situated about 55 km from the homonymous capital of Cyprus, 50 km from Limassol, 85 km from Larnaca and 100 km from Paphos.

Built on the west bank of the Elia river, under the shadow of the Madari mountain and in the geographical region of Pitsilia in the Troodos mountain range, the pine-clad village of Lagoudera reaches almost all the way to the famous Panagia (Virgin Mary) of Araka. Because of the rich local flora, it is said that there are many hares in the area, which is why the village got its name (lagos in Greek is the “hare”).

Lagoudera extends to the east and west, while to the northwest of the settlement is the famous Virgin Mary of Arakas, which is included in the Unesco’s World Heritage Sites, and stands proud for over 800 years under a huge ancient oak. A few meters away from the Byzantine church of Arakos, there is the Hero’s monument of Lagoudera.

Nowadays the settlement counts about 30 permanent residents, but during the holidays and in the summer the village comes alive, and many locals who keep their holiday homes there, return to enjoy the countryside and relax in the tranquil nature.