Kalavasos is…..for…..

Nature lovers                History lovers

Hiking lovers                         Beach lovers

Riding lovers                         Culture lovers

Food lovers             Village life lovers

Fishing  lovers                         Diving lovers

 

Kalavasos is an Agro-tourism picturesque village which is located about 30 kilometres south-west of the city of Larnaca, 40 kilometres from the capital city of Nicosia and about 20 kilometres from the town of Limassol.  It is built upon the west bank of the Vasilikos River at an average altitude of 80 metres.  As far as transportation is concerned, Kalavasos is connected by road to the Nicosia-Limassol highway that runs south of the community.The village receives an average annual raifall of around 445 millimetres; mainly citrus trees and vegetables are cultivated in the region. In the rest of its areas cereals, forage plants, legumes, olive-trees and locust trees are cultivated.  There is a population of approximately 721 inhabitants.  The name of the village was taken from the ancient Greek word “vassa”, which means woody valley.  The Kalavasos settlement was in existence during the medieval era under the same name and is marked in old maps under the name Calavaso and Calavato.    The village is being visited by many tourists and local visitors to admire the community’s natural beauty, archaeological sites, tradition and culture. The people in the village are very friendly and hospitable that makes you feel welcome from the very first time.

 

One of them is the famous mining area of Kalavasos which covers a range of 18 square kilometres, the centre of which is located north of the Kalavasos village, about 10 kilometres from the Vasiliko beach and around 13 kilometres from the ancient city of Amathus.  The piles of rust and other mining leftovers provide proof that there was mining activity during ancient times attributed to the Phoenicians and later on to the Romans.  The ore from the Kalavasos mines was transferred via railway to the harbour of Vasiliko. Processing took place in the factory that existed there and then -through a system of overhead loading -it was loaded onto ships to be exported. Just next to the old mine is Kalavasos water-dam and its incredibly serene surroundings.

Another beautiful site is the central church of the village which is dedicated to Panagia Titiotissa.  It was built around 1910- with stones which were extracted from the near village Tochni- in the centre of the village among the traditional houses.  The yard of the church is big and paved with slabs. The fencing on the west-south side has many flower gardens.
The expert scientists excavation-research and the systematic archaeological survey in the region of Kalavasos resulted in the discovery of many archaeological sites, which belong in almost all of the phases of Cyprus prehistoric and historic chronological periods. The most significant of those sites, in a chronological sequence, are the pre-ceramic, Neolithic “Tenta” settlement (7000 — 6000 BC), the Neolithic “Kalavasos A” settlement in Kokkinogia from the 2nd Ceramic Neolithic period (4500 — 3800 BC), the Chalcolithic settlements in Agioi and “Kalavasos B” in Pamboules (3500 — 2500 BC), as cemeteries of the Early and Middle Bronze Age, in the borders immediate environment and the central residential sector of Kalavasos (2500 — 1650 BC), and the settlement and cemetery of the Latter Bronze Age in Agios Dimitrios.

“Tenta” is one of the most significant settlements of this period in the valley.  It is possible that “Tenta” was first occupied contemporarily with the Early Aceramic Neolithic phase now at Parekklisha-Shillourokambors (ca. 7500-7000 B.C.), but this can only be confirmed by further excavation.  According to local informants, the locality Tenta is so called because St Helena mother of Constantine the Great, pitched her tent on the site when she returned to Cyprus in A.D. 327 from Jerusalem bearing the Cross of the Crucifixion, prior to the construction of the Stavrovouni Monastery ca. 20 km NE of Tenta. She is said to have landed at Vasiliko and journeyed up the valley to Tenta, hence the ‘Royal’ name for the locality where she landed and the river itself. The site is named “Tenta” on Kitchener’s 1882 map of Cyprus.

Every year it takes place the “TENTA FESTIVAL” which is a combination of Art,Music,Theater,dansing and culture events.It is worth a visit.

Not to forget the 25th March festival dedicated to the Virgin Maria with a big market,street food festival and music concerts.

Easter time is a Must in Kalavasos as it is very famous for the celebrations in the whole of Cyprus.

During the summer period,the community offers a variety of Cyprus dishes(Meze) for all the visitors complimentary with local live music.

Live music with various artists,take place at the main square of Kalavasos around the year.

When it comes to sports and activities, there is a professional bike centre in the village where you can rent a bike and enjoy a wonderful bike tour on off-road trails through the breathtaking mountainous landscape. You can even ride the bike all on your own to view the beautiful agriculture of the village while in some areas you can even view the beautiful beaches under the mountains.  The park is a nice place to lay back and relax and near the park there is the vintage authentic train tracks where years ago a alavasos village is only some minutes away from many beautiful beaches.  Governor’s beach is about 10 minutes with the car.  At Governor’s beach there are several small sandy bays with taverns above.  The beach itself offers sandy shores with shallow, calm water with its own amenities.  There is an area of amazing white rocks, perfect for those who like to dive, snorkel, boat or fish. The area is surrounded by nature trails allowing many to stroll along the gentle paths wondering around tropical vegetation admiring the scenery.

Just 5 minutes away is also the famous in the whole of Cyprus, fishing village Zygi with its fish tavernas and fish shops, ideal place for the fish-lovers and a few km away towards Larnaca is the Camel Park, a paradise for the children and adults. Staying in Kalavasos village you can enjoy a peaceful, relaxing holiday away from the city’s madness and pollution.

Kalavasos Area Gallery