Vouni and Koilani

Over the Easter holidays, my husband and I enjoyed several days of exploring the island of Cyprus.  On one of the trips, we visited the Troodos Mountains to explore the following sites (and villages): Vouni Village, Deserted Village, Koilani Village, Agia Mavra Chapel, Lofou Village, Chantara Waterfall, and Kaledonia Waterfall.

Vouni Village is located in the Krasochoria region of the Limassol district.  The village name of Vouni means low mountain, which is due to the village's location.  Since the ancient days, it's been considered a wine village.  According to tradition, there was once a monastery in the area.  This picturesque village is also known as an open-air museum, since it's partly a deserted village.  In the mid-1990s, the deserted village was declared a legally protected historical site.  Now, it's considered an open-air museum.

Vouni Village.

 Vouni Village.

Koilani Village is situated close to the Kryos River, which is a tributary of the Kouris River, at an altitude of 820 meters.  This village is located in the Troodos mountains within the Limassol district.  The Agia Mavra Chapel (also known as Agia Mavri Chapel and Agias Mavris Chapel) is a former monastery in Koilani Village that was built in the 15th century.  This chapel was named after Saint Timotheos and Saint Mavra, and they were from Egypt (not Cyprus).  Timotheos shared Christianity was the island, but he was arrested about twenty days after his marriage to Mavra.  Since they didn't accept paganism, they were martyred in Cyprus. 

Agia Mavra Chapel.

 Agia Mavra Chapel.

Lofou Village is located in the Limassol district within the Troodos mountains.  This village was built over the hills at an altitude of 800 meters.  It was inhabited since the Bronze Age, and items from that era were discovered near the village's entrance.  Within the village, there's the Lofou Tavern, which serves traditional Cypriot mezes.

Here's a photo slideshow of the Vouni, Koilani, and Lofou Villages:

 Vouni, Koilani, and Lofou Villages.

Here's a quick video clip of the Agia Mavra Chapel:

 Agia Mavra Chapel...and Elizabeth.  :)

Soon, I'll share photos and video clips of the Chantara Waterfall and Kaledonia Waterfall, as well as the Larnaca district and Fasoula Village.

Eurovision Finals

Congratulations to Denmark!  The song, Only Teardrops, performed by Emmelie de Forest won the 2013 Eurovision Finals.  The top ten songs were from the countries: Denmark, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Norway, Russia, Greece, Italy, Malta, The Netherlands, and Hungary.

Denmark's performance at the 2013 Eurovision Finals.

As I mentioned in my Eurovision Semi-Finals blog post, Eurovision is an annual national song contest, which is quite popular in Cyprus, as well as most of Europe.  The 2013 Eurovision Song Contest was hosted by Sweden (last year's Eurovision winner) on May 14, 16, and 18.

On May 14, the First Semi-Finals included performances by sixteen countries with Cyprus, Denmark, Ireland, and Montenegro as my favorites from the evening.  Unfortunately, Cyprus and Montenegro didn't advance to the Finals.  For more details, please view my Eurovision Semi-Finals blog post.

On May 16, the Second Semi-Finals included performances by seventeen countries with Azerbaijan, Greece, Iceland, Malta, and Switzerland as my favorites from the evening.  Unfortunately, Switzerland didn't advance to the Finals.   For more details, please view my Eurovision Semi-Finals blog post.

 Italy's performance at the 2013 Eurovision Finals.

 Iceland's performance at the 2013 Eurovision Finals.

On May 18, the Eurovision Grand Finals included performances by the following twenty-six countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.  Some of my favorites from the evening were Greece, Iceland, Italy, and Denmark, and I also enjoyed the performances by Azerbaijan, Hungary, Malta, and Ireland.  I was hoping for Greece or Italy to win, which didn't happen; however, they both placed in the top ten.  As I previously mentioned, Denmark won the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest.

  Greece's performance at the 2013 Eurovision Finals.

What were your reactions to Denmark's win?  Is your favorite 2013 Eurovision song in the top five (or even the top ten)?  Do you plan to watch Eurovision next year?

Eurovision Semi-Finals

Eurovision is an annual national song contest, which is quite popular in Cyprus, as well as most of Europe.  Earlier in the year, each country determined their representative to compete in the main performance competition against various European countries.

The 2013 Eurovision Song Contest is hosted by Sweden (last year's Eurovision winner) on May 14, 16, and 18.  While this is the fifty-seventh year for Eurovision, Cyprus has participated thirty times, yet has never won.  For 2013, Cyprus was represented by Despina Olympiou with the song, An Me Thimasai.  Unfortunately, Cyprus didn't advance to the Finals this year.

On May 14, the First Semi-Finals included performances by the following countries: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, The Netherlands, and Ukraine.  Some of my favorites from the evening were Cyprus, Denmark, Ireland, and Montenegro.  The countries that advanced to the Finals include the following: Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, The Netherlands, and Ukraine.

Denmark's performance at the 2013 Eurovision First Semi-Finals.

 Cyprus' performance at the 2013 Eurovision First Semi-Finals.

On May 16, the Second Semi-Finals included performances by the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Finland, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Romania, San Marino, and Switzerland.  Some of my favorites from the evening were Azerbaijan, Greece, Iceland, Malta, and Switzerland.  The countries the advanced to the Finals include the following: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Malta, Norway, and Romania.

  Iceland's performance at the 2013 Eurovision Second Semi-Finals.

   Greece's performance at the 2013 Eurovision Second Semi-Finals.

On May 18, the Eurovision Grand Finals will include performances by the following countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom, as well as the additional countries determined by the semi-finals, as previously mentioned.

Do you plan to watch the Eurovision Finals this year?

Machairas Monastery

After visiting Tamassos and Agios Irakleidios, my husband and I continued exploring the island of Cyprus, particularly in the district of Nicosia (Lefkosia).  Stavrovouni Monastery, Agia Varvara Monastery, Kornos Picnic Site, Royal Chapel, Alampra Archaeological Site, Tamassos Archaeological Site, Agios Irakleidios Monastery, and Machairas Monastery are some of the sites that we explored that day.

  Machairas Monastery.

Elizabeth at the Machairas Monastery.

Machairas Monastery, also known as Panagia tou Machaira and Holy Royal Stavropegic Monastery of Maheras, is located in the Machairas Mountains, near the villages of Deftera and Lazanias, within the Nicosia district.  It's considered one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Cyprus.  According to tradition, an icon painted by the Apostle Luke was secretly brought to Cyprus from Constantinople, and then it was hidden in the mountains.

In 1145, this icon was discovered in a cave by two hermits, Neofytos and Ignatios.  The cave was covered with bushes, and in order to reach the icon, the two hermits had to cut the bushes with a knife.  So, the icon was named Machairiotissa, since knife in Greek is machairi.  In this area, these men built a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in 1148.  Then, in 1187, Emperor Manuel Komnenos provided money to build a larger church.  After destruction by fire in 1892, the church and monastery buildings were rebuilt.  The current monastery buildings date back to the early 20th century.

   Elie with the Grigoris Afxentiou statue at the Machairas Monastery.

Also, Grigoris Afxentiou is considered to have hidden in the Machairas Monastery and disguised himself as a monk...or his hideout was simply located near the monastery.  Afxentiou was the second-in-command of the EOKA liberation struggle of independence in Cyprus.  According to tradition, as a Cypriot freedom fighter, Afxentiou fought sixty British soldiers, after his four comrades surrendered, for several hours until his death in 1957.  Since Afxentiou is considered to be a Cypriot hero, there's a massive statue of him with an eagle that was built on the location that he died.

Enjoy the photo slideshow:

 Machairas Monastery.

To view my previous blog posts regarding our recent exploring day, please click HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Tamassos and Agios Irakleidios

After visiting Alampra and Royal Chapel, my husband and I continued exploring the island of Cyprus, particularly in the district of Nicosia (Lefkosia).  Stavrovouni Monastery, Agia Varvara Monastery, Kornos Picnic Site, Royal Chapel, Alampra Archaeological Site, Tamassos Archaeological Site, Agios Irakleidios Monastery, and Machairas Monastery are some of the sites that we explored that day.

Tamassos Archaeological Site, also known as the Ancient Town of Tamassos, is located near Politiko Village in the Nicosia district.  The ancient town of Tamassos, founded by Trakofryges, is mostly buried beneath the modern villages of Politiko, Pera, and Episkopio.  Tamassos was considered an important city-kingdom of Cyprus.  Tamassos was known for its mines, particularly copper mines, and various excavations have discovered some of the ancient copper workshops.  Temesa, which is another name for Tamassos, is mentioned in Homer's Odyssey with the description of Athena's journey to Temesa in order to trade iron for copper.

Also, excavations have discovered ancient Royal Tombs.  Some of the excavated artifacts are on display at the Cyprus Museum in the city of Nicosia.  Unfortunately, archaeological excavations are limited, since it's believed that the center of the ancient town is located underneath Politiko Village and several other villages in the area.

 Elizabeth at the Agios Irakleidios Monastery.

Agios Irakleidios Monastery, also known as Saint Herakleidos Monastery, is located near Politiko Village in the Nicosia district.  The monastery was originally build around the 4th century, and it was destroyed and rebuilt several times.  Most of the remaining current monastery buildings date back to 1773.  Within the monastery, there are various ancient sites, including the Agios Irakleidios Church that was restored in the 8th century and then the 14th century and the original entrance to the tomb of Agios Irakleidios.

According to tradition, Irakleidios met the apostles, Paul and Barnabas, at Kition, when they arrived in Cyprus.  Then, Irakleidios lead Paul and Barnabas across the island to Paphos.  Agios Irakleidios was the first Bishop of Tamassos.  At 60 years old, Irakleidios was martyred and buried in the cave where he lived and preached.  In 400 AD, a church was built over his grave.  Eventually, this area became a monastery named after Agios Irakleidios.  The current Agios Irakleidios Monastery serves as a convent.  During our visit, one of the nuns allowed us to visit the locked cave of Agios Irakleidios.

Enjoy the photo slideshow:

Tamassos and Agios Irakleidios.

To view my previous blog posts regarding our recent exploring day, please click HERE and HERE.

Soon, I'll share photos of the Machairas Monastery, etc.