To the south-west of Nicosia, in the area of Picil, on the slope of Mount Madari stands the village of Laguder. This village, which is part of twenty villages at the largest altitude above sea level, got its name due to the spread of cyclamen here, in the Cyprus dialect called the "Law".
Overlooking Olympus
Laguder is a very picturesque village that stands out with its beautiful nature. Here they grow grapes of wine varieties, a variety of fruits and vegetables, walnuts, hazelnuts. A lot of wild vegetation, pines. For visitors who want to get acquainted with the flora and fauna of this area, a seven -kilometer linear natural path was opened, which begins from the Church of the Blessed Virgin Arak and ends at the church of St. Cross in AGIASMATI. To the east of the path you can see kionia from a height, north - Morf and Pentaktilos, to the west - Mount Olympus, and Mount Madari to the south.
Monument of the XII century
Although, according to the sources, Laguder has existed since the Frankish rule as a royal estate, its foundation falls at the end of the Byzantine period. The existence of a settlement is inextricably linked with the monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Arak, which gave the nearby territories an impulse for development.
Undoubtedly, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Arak is a real treasure for Cyprus and the whole world. The temple, thanks to well -preserved frescoes, is included in the List of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. It was built in the second half of the XII century (the Central Prosanth period) and continued to flourish until the first decades of the 19th century. The cult structure is a one -napal dome basilica. At the entrance to the church stands an oak, which is about 700 years old.
The main cathedral of the village, dedicated to St. George. This structure is a basilica with a wooden roof built according to the canons of the churches of mountain Cyprus. It dates from the beginning of the 16th century.
Partisan refuge
A few minutes walk from here is a monument to the heroes of Laguda. The village served an important service during the liberation struggle of the National Organization of Cyprus fighters against British rule. To the southeast of the village, in the former house of Mikhalakis Elefterios, a member of Eoku, a partisan shelter was preserved, in which many rebels were hidden at one time. \
The village itself with narrow winding streets, traditional houses, stone fountains and excellent environs creates a wonderful landscape. This place meets visitors with silence, calmness and peace.
Photo BigCyPrus.com
This article was first published in the "Vestnik Cyprus" on May 29, 2022. Part of the information could be outdated.
