Louvaras

Louvaras is a village in the district of Limassol in Cyprus and is located 21 km northeast of Limassol, 74 kilometers west of Larnaca, 65 km southwest of Nicosia and 87 kilometers east of Paphos.

Surrounded by tall volcanic hills at an altitude of 850 meters at the foot of Kakomallis and situated among small tributaries of Yermasoyia and a tributary of Garyllis, the mountainous village of Louvaras with the 350 inhabitants is one of the koumantarochoria (wine producing villages of Cyprus) in the geographic region of Pitsilia. The village is situated in a superb natural setting with ravines and deep canyons where you will find vineyards, almond trees, fruit trees, wild flowers, rosemary and lavender. The grape varieties that thrive here and produce the king of wines, the Commandaria, are black and Xynisteri.

The village has existed under the same name probably since the Byzantine period, as Logaras (as the village is marked in medieval maps) means treasurer who was guarding the coins in the palace of the Byzantine emperor and during the Frankish rule Louvaras belonged to the great Commandaria of the knights of saint John that was established in Kolossi.

An ideal destination for nature lovers, the village of Louvaras offers generous green “doses” at the small pine forest in Kakomallis, south of the village and further up towards the top, where the summer fire safety observatory is located.

Being a nice getaway from the urban centers of the island, the village retains its traditionalism with its narrow alleys, grapevines, houses built with the characteristic dark gray colored rocks (gabbro), wooden balconies and red earthenware jars in the yards and streets. Visitors will see the offices of the community council located in the center of the village, the square, the main church dedicated to Timios Prodromos (Holy Baptist) and the church of Agios Mamas (Saint Mamas) of Louvaras, which is considered one of the most remarkable churches of Cyprus devoted to this Saint. The medieval church dates back to the 15th century and is adorned with frescoes by the famous painter Philip Goul, who painted also the church of the Stavros (Holy Cross) of Agiasmati in the village Platanistasa. The chapel is visited by many local and foreign travelers who want to admire this religious jewel of the region. Very near the church of Agios Mamas and a little further south, is the old oil mill, while in the same building there is also a winepress, which the people used to turn grapes into Commandaria.

In the center of the community there is a monument dedicated to Kostakis Evagorou while events are organized every year in the village in his honor. At the location of “Kato Vrisi” with the small ravine, is the source of water that used to supply in the past the local residents.

Also in Louvaras is the church of Panagia Kyra (Virgin Mary), a small church dating back to1966 and built with tiles on a wooden frame.