Larnaca – Lefkara Village, Aggeloktisti Church & Larnaca Town

Lefkara is a picturesque village, famous for its silverware and handmade lace called “Lefkaritiko”. The fame of this embroidery was spread to many countries. According to the tradition, Leonardo Da Vinci visited the village in the 15^th century only to be amazed by the local made lace, so as to transfer it on one of his paintings and he even took back with him Lefkara lacework which he presented to Milan Cathedral. As with all of Cyprus countryside, Lefkara is too endowed with historical, natural and human riches, moreover enhanced by the preserved traditional character and architecture. The village has been built amphitheatrically around a spring, which most likely was the main reason for the initial settlement.

This tour offers a fascinating exploration to the traditional village of Lefkara, where people still continue the crafts that have been handed down through generations, permitting to stroll through the narrow paved streets and admire the houses built entirely of limestone, with wooden doors and windows. We will have the opportunity to view beautiful traditional old preserved Houses, in which we bear witness of the old Cypriot way of life and admire the local crafts, Lefkara Lace and Silverware richly exhibited.

There is free time to visit the lace and silver shops, as well as to explore the church dedicated to the Holy Cross. According to the tradition, the church was build by Agia Eleni and it contains a fragment of true Cross. The rich gilt iconostasis dates from the 18^th century.

On our way back to Larnaca we will visit the ancient kitio where we will visit Aggeloktisti Church.

Northwest of Kiti, on a very gentle rise, stands a very interesting Church of Cyprus, the Byzantine Church of Pnagia Angeloktisti (The Angel-built). According to the tradition, it was built by Angels, who at midnight descended from the Heavens and built the church. Dim traces of frescoes on the walls witness that most probably the church was originally entirely painted. The most glorious item to be seen is the mosaics in the central apse, which shows the Mandona holding a Child. She stands between the Archangels Mikhail and Gabriel

Our next and last stop is Larnaca town. Larnaca, a town with an easy-going pace, has strong links to the past. In the heart of modern Larnaca one finds remains of the ancient city-kingdom of Kition, reminiscent of its glorious days. The Mycenaean Greeks fortified the town with cyclopean walls in the 12th century while Phoenicians founded a powerful kingdom here in the 9th century. Kitio is the birthplace of the philosopher Zenon, founder of the Stoic School, and it is here that Saint Lazarus came to live after his resurrection. The delightful Palm trees Promenade, its fort, and its old quarters give Larnaca its unique character. We will visit the Church of Agios Lazaros the beloved friend of Christ. Agios Lazaros was forced, after his miraculous resurrection, to seek shelter at Kitium, now Larnaca. According to tradition, he became the first bishop of Kitium and the first church dedicated to him was built in order to serve the needs of the small population of Kitium at the time.

Free time and return to the ship.