Sycopetra
Sycopetra is a village in the district of Limassol, Cyprus, situated 40 km northeast of the homonymous capital, and 55 km from Nicosia, about 70 km from Larnaca and over 100 km from Paphos.
Situated right at the borders of three provinces (Larnaca, Nicosia, Limassol), on the eastern edge of the mountain Pitsilia and at about 800 meters altitude, Sycopetra with the settlement of Prophet Elias is the last village of Lemesos province, with about 100 permanent residents. In recent years, however, there has been an increase in the numbers of young people who are settling in the village.
No one can name with certainty the founding year of Sycopetra, although utensils and tools have been excavated from the time of the Cyprus Kingdoms (1050 BC – 725 BC), and copper extraction at the time has also been confirmed.
Regarding the name of the village, on the other hand, there are several versions. The legend of Queen Nafsika (daughter of the king of Tamassos), who, on one of her usual walks in the area and while admiring the mountain peaks and the plane trees surrounding the settlement from above, her horse slipped on a large rock and she was killed. In honor and remembrance of the beautiful princess, they named the village Nafsikopetra (meaning rock of Nafsika), which over the years was renamed to Sycopetra. The locals also report that this particular name was given to the village because of the many sykies (fig trees) and petres (rocks) that exist in the area.
The new and small settlement of Prophet Elias (or Lampiris, as it was known in the past), also found in Sycopera, can be reached by a dirt road. Tradition says that a shepherd found the icon of Prophet Elias there, built a chapel in his honor, and then moved to this location with his family, and over the years others followed, forming the modern settlement. Climatically the two areas differ in the winter and Prophet Elias offers views of the rock where the mythical queen was killed, as well as all the splendor of the mountainous relief of the area. Visitors usually combine their walks here with a stop at the community memorial, dedicated to the 1974 hero Kyriakos Andreou, and the historical chapel of Prophet Elias, from which one can enjoy the amazing view of Mount Aetofolia, having often the chance to spot and gaze at rare birds.
Either walking along the streets that are lined with the houses built of stone and plinth (typical of the area) and resting in the communal park of Sycopetra, as well as taking a stroll at the cliffs of Salomas, which nestle between two hills, or while visiting the Wind Farm of the area, the visitor will be amazed by the beauty of the surrounding countryside. After a tour of the traditional 19th century stone built and tiled olive mill of Sycopetra, which is considered to be the most ancient monument of the island, the visitor completes his wanderings with another stop at the newly built and Byzantine-style central church of Agios Demetrios (St. Demetrius).
In Sycopetra one can find two agrotouristical lodgings, as well as several traditional tavernas. In the area, mandarin trees are thriving, as well as some well-organized events are held towards the end of July, while large festivals are held in honor of the two saints of the community.