Located in the Lefkosia (Nicosia) region, the village of Fikardou sits at an altitude of 900 meters in the Pitsilia area. This climate is ideal for growing grapes and olives, which the village has been known for since ancient times. Almost every house once had a wine press and a distillation apparatus for making zivania, a strong grape-based alcoholic beverage similar to grappa. In the 1920s, Fikardou had a population of 123, but by the mid-1960s, the village had nearly emptied.
Almost abandoned today, Fikardou was declared an Ancient Monument in 1978 and won the Europa Nostra award in 1987. The village has been carefully restored to preserve its houses with notable wooden features and 18th-century folk architecture. Two of these houses, the House of Katsinioros and the House of Achilleas Dimitris, belong to the Department of Antiquities; they have been converted into museums displaying rural artifacts and recreating the village life of past centuries.
Villages in Cyprus represent a unique cultural and historical layer that reveals the true soul of the island and its people. On this brief journey, you can visit the villages of Vavatsinia and Fikardou, immersing yourself in a plethora of stunning views, stories, tastes, smells, and sounds from the eastern region of the Troodos mountain range.
Vavatsinia, named after the mulberry trees, is one of the cleanest ecological zones in Cyprus. As soon as you step out of your car or bus, the air itself tells you of its purity. Strolling through the village and enjoying the views, you can then head through the pass into the enchanting Machairas Forest. From several lookout points, you'll be treated to breathtaking views, including the picturesque Machairas Monastery nestled in the Troodos Mountains' scenic gorges.
Finally, the village of Fikardou, considered the best European heritage village in Cyprus, stands out with its entirely stone-built and superbly preserved architecture. It features a single tavern run by the village’s only permanent resident. Here, you can end your journey by savoring halloumi cheese, fresh salad, and chilled homemade white wine, truly experiencing the authentic flavors of Cyprus.