Lofou: Lanes, Grape Harvest and Nature Trail

Lofou’s old architecture and winding, cobbled lanes shape the character of the village. The name Lofou derives from its hillside location and the Greek word “lofos”; it has been used for the village since Byzantine times. Other features include a village church with a datable construction history, the story of an icon of the Prophet Elias, a nature trail to the Elitji Fountain and a Grape Fest celebrating the grape harvest. These different themes let you choose whether to focus your stay mainly on local history, a walking route or a festival.

Lanes, the Village Name and Religious History

The name Lofou derives from its hillside location and the Greek word “lofos”; the village has borne this name since Byzantine times. Its old architecture and many winding, cobbled lanes shape its character. This lets you consider the village’s character on two scales: the name points to an older linguistic and historical layer, while the lanes reflect its built form.

The village church is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary and is also known as Panagia Chrysolofitissa. Construction of its main nave began in 1854 and was completed in 1872. The church has a single nave; recognisable influences of Gothic art are particularly evident in the temple’s roof. The construction period, floor plan and roof design offer different clues for understanding the church’s architecture.

A different kind of tradition is at the heart of the small chapel of the Prophet Elias: the icon is said to have the miraculous power to prevent rain from damaging the grain harvest. This belief connects a religious story with the hope of protecting the harvest. The Museum Mill is also one of Lofou’s attractions, adding another place to visit to the ones mentioned above.

From the Village to the Elitji Fountain

The nature trail offers a different focus from the village architecture. It begins a few dozen metres outside the village, heads towards Silikou and runs about 1.5 kilometres downhill to the Elitji Fountain. Its starting point, direction, approximate length and gradient provide practical guidance for this route, whose destination lies outside Lofou.

The fountain lies about one kilometre northeast of Lofou, halfway to the village of Silikou, and was built in 1842. The route thus connects a clearly defined walk with a historical destination. Unlike the cobbled lanes that shape the village’s character, here the focus is on the direction, the downhill route and the fountain itself.

Grape Harvest and When to Visit

At the Grape Fest, held at the end of September to celebrate the grape harvest, visitors can watch traditional specialities being made from grape juice and sample them. The festival includes folk entertainment and a wine tasting. This adds culinary experiences and a cultural programme to the village’s architectural and natural attractions.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Lofou, your travel plans can help guide your timing: the Grape Fest takes place at the end of September, while the church, lanes and nature trail offer other points of interest. If you are travelling specifically for the festival, check the event dates in advance.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Treis Elies, Trimiklini, Zoopigi, Agios Amvrosios, Pelentri, Potamiou, Chandria, Arakapas.

For the main travel overview: Limassol.