Located in the Lemesos (Limassol) district, the quaint village of Anogyra sits at an altitude of 170 metres and just 45 km away from Lemesos town. The village can be reached by following A6 route and then the F607.
Anogyra was once a main carob-grower and is famous for its traditional sweet ‘Pasteli’, which is made from carob syrup, and only produced traditionally in the village.
The history of the village dates back to the Neolithic era, and its name may originate from the plant ‘anagyris’ (which grows in the village), or that the village that exists today constituted the upper (‘ano’) part of the village once known as ‘Gyroi’.
Its interesting sites include the Pastelli museums, the Olive-Park – Oleastro, the church of Timios Stavros (Holy Cross), and a winery. The village is also a perfect destination for agrotourism.
The custom of Pasteli making is celebrated annually in September with a Pasteli Festival that features the sweet being made in the traditional way, along with local food and a programme of folkloric entertainment.
1. Pastelli Museum
The Pastelli museum is a small museum depicting the manufacture of pastelli, a traditional sweet delight made from carobs.
2. Olive Park – Oleastro
Educational and fun park encapsulating 60,000 years of olive culture. It houses an ecological oil mill, representations of a biological olive grove, as well as demonstrations of various methods of olive pressing from the beginning until modern times, agricultural activities and traditions surrounding the olive.
3. Church of Timios Stavros
Situated south-west of the village, the church has 15th century murals of Palaeologue technique. The church is built in the north-east corner of an early Christian basilica that was divided into rooms known as monastery.
The ‘black gold’ of the island is an important part of Anogyra’s history, and the village retains its charming character and local customs, especially the production of carobs and the making of a healthy carob toffee known as ‘Pasteli’. This long-standing tradition is also celebrated annually with a Pasteli Festival in September.
Anogyra has three different museums concerned with carobs and Pasteli; at two of them – ‘To Paradosiakon’ and ‘Mavros Chrysos’ – you can also visit the nearby workshops and watch the traditional pasteli-making process step-by-step.
Tel.: +357 25 221 500
Read More: Church of Timiou Stavrou (Holy Cross)
Read More: Pastelli (Carob Toffee)
Read More: Carob Museums – Anogyra Village
Courtesy of the CTO
