
Lania
is a charming restored village that rests on the rolling hillsides to
the north of Limassol and the south of the Troodos Mountains in the heart
of rural Cyprus. Lania has become an artist's haven. The shops are filled
with their works as well as more traditional souvenirs. There is a small
supermarket and a post office. The tavernas have traditional local food
as well as a host of colourful local characters telling tales of beekeeping,
almond growing, pear harvesting, walnut cultivation and of course, wine
making.
The winding alleys of Lania are full of flowers,
lovely stonework and old olive trees. The nearby countryside is green.
It is a wonderful place for a stroll amongst vineyards and groves of oranges
and pomegranates. Lania is one of the wine producing villages in the area.
A myth says that the village has taken its name from Lana, the daughter
of Dionysos, Greek god of wine.
Location: Lania is just 20 minutes
from the bustling seaside resort and major town of Limassol, yet a world
away from modern life. Paphos and Larnaca international airports are an
hour away.
Church:
Built in the traditional way, the stone church, in the centre of the village,
dominates the whole area. In it, among other treasures, you can find the
very old icon of Virgin Mary of Valanas, an icon found buried many years
ago. It is an exquisite specimen of a Basilica, built with the snow-white
stone of the area, during the 16th century.
Icons: The most impressive part of the church is its icon screen, created
in 1676. The first icons, enclosed in beautifully shaped, wooden decor
are still preserved. The pulpit and the prelatic throne are also excellent
examples of fine woodcraft
Grapes:
Many people in Lania work on the land. They produce both wine-grapes and
table grapes. From the wine-grapes, they produce the famous Lania Commandaria,
wines and Zivania. They also produce the delicious home made Lania Soutzioukos.
Wine: Lania boasts the only ancient workshop for producing wine on the
island. The Linos, has been carefully restored with the original equipment
and wine vats. Lania was always known for its vineyards, its high quality
grapes and wines. When the French vineyards, were destroyed by disease,
King Henry toured the Mediterranean countries to find healthy vines. He
found them in Lania and the people of Lania gave him the plants. He loaded
his ship and planted them in France to continue producing champagne. People
say that during his stay in Lania, King Henry used to have his coffee
under the Royal Oak tree, a tree over 800 years old which in 1997 collapsed.
In the village there is another oak tree, bigger than the original and
well worth a visit.
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