The example of the village of Kakopetria shows how a small mountain village can be turned into an excellent tourist center by modern standards. The village is located in a picturesque place in the Troodos mountains. Her traditional Cyprus stone houses are literally buried in greenery. Large entrance doors and balconies are a true tribute to the traditions of local architecture. Stone-paved streets, cafes and restaurants, filled with guests of Cyprus on holidays and peak seasons, the delicious smells of local dishes ... all this is Kakopetria.
Recently, one of the sights of the village is the Helena Park. It offers an excellent view of the waterfall and the Garilis mountain river. This place has been attracting more and more tourists in recent years. The Mill Hotel is built here, on one of the banks of the river is the old part of the city, which will take you back centuries. There are also museums in the village. One of them is the Museum of Linos, the exhibition of which is dedicated to the wine business, and the second is located in the courtyard of the church of Agios Sotiris, and it will tell you about the traditions of olive oil production.
A separate mention is the Church of St. Nicholas, or as it is often called "the church under the roof." It is located about 4 kilometers from Kakopetria, where a good road leads if you follow the signs. The church dates back to the 11th century and is considered part of the large monastery of St. Nicholas, which existed in these places at least in the middle of the 18th century, according to the testimony of a pilgrim from the Russian Empire, Vasily Barsky, who visited these places. The inner domed vault of the church is hidden from view by a gable roof. The church has partially preserved ancient wall frescoes. The building is under the protection of UNESCO, thanks to which its condition can be assessed as very good.
It is also worth paying attention to the Church of Our Lady Theotokos, which was built in 1514. It is a gable-roofed building clad in raw local stone, the interior of which also retains a number of 15th century frescoes.
Trips to places such as the village of Kakopetria will not only immerse you in the history and traditions of these places, but also allow you to breathe in the fresh mountain air, which is so lacking in the coastal part of the island. As a matter of fact, such travels for many have already become a common thing, which has developed into a special separate type of tourism. Many Cypriots also prefer to retire here on hot days. Therefore, if you have finally decided to visit the foothills of Troodos - book hotels in advance - at the peak of the season, there may be no vacancies in hotels!
