Zakaki

Zakaki is located in the district of Limassol in Cyprus, making it the westernmost part of the Limassol Municipality.

Located 10 meters above sea level, it began as a village, until 1972, when it was incorporated in the municipality. Zakaki of the approxiamtely 6,000 residents is experiencing significant residential development with the construction of many modern buildings, tourist facilities, sports facilities, golf courses and football stadiums, schools and many others. In the summer Zakaki attracts many tourists and Cypriots coming here for the famous beach Lady’s Mile, as well as the nearby Alyki Akrotiriou (Salt Lake) which is a point of attraction for nature and photography lovers who come here to see the beautiful flamingos from the bird watching observatory on the lake.

The locals are primarily engaged in cattle farming and agriculture, cultivating vines, citrus trees, vegetables, forage crops, legumes and barley, while many residents work in the industrial area of ​​Ypsonas and in the various fruit and vegetables packing plants, woodworks, furniture construction and more.

The name of the settlement comes from the last name Zakos (French name Jacques) which is still used today in Cyprus and is likely to be the name of the first settler or landowner of the settlement during the Frankish rule.

Historically, Zakaki was one of the forty villages that were part of the then great feud of Commandaria of the Knights of St John which was based in Kolossi. After the Turkish invasion of 1974, Greek Cypriot refugees from the occupied areas of northern Cyprus arrived in the region significantly increasing the population.

In the village there are four elementary schools, two junior high schools and one high school, kindergartens, playgrounds and all kinds of shops and restaurants, taverns and bars, but what attracts many people to the area is the largest mall of Cyprus which opened in 2009 and features entertainment venues and many clothing and shoe stores. Also in the area is the seat of one of the three local television stations of Limassol.