Omodos: Wine Village, Heritage and Festivals

Omodos is a wine village in the Troodos Mountains and the Krassohoria region. Winegrowing, local food, cultural heritage and annual festivals give the destination a range of points of interest. As you plan your trip, consider whether you would rather focus on historical sites, traditional crafts or the date of a particular event.

Location and how to get there

Omodos lies at an altitude of 800 metres, 42 kilometres from Lemesos. The altitude places the village in the mountains, while the distance indicates how far it is from Lemesos. The Krasochoria Wine Route also runs from Lemesos through Omodos. You can reach the village via the E601, or via the B8 and E802 roads, followed by the F825. As road numbering can change, check the current route before setting off.

Heritage and traditional crafts

The medieval Linos wine press in Omodos is designated an ancient monument. The hall of the Synodicon in Timios Stavros Monastery is also an ancient monument. The wine press provides a historical link to the wine tradition, while the hall is one room within the monastery. Both offer different points of interest if you are interested in local history and religious sites.

Women in Omodos make narrow, closely woven lace in a variety of sizes and shapes, used to decorate furniture and beds. Local and foreign visitors can view lace at the Centre for the Preservation of Narrow-Knit Lacing in Timios Stavros Monastery. If you plan a visit, check possible visiting times in advance.

Wine and local food

The people of Omodos grow vines and produce wine and zivania. Prepared foods include soutzoukos, palouze, kkiofterka and koulourka (rusks). The village is also known for its arkatena bread. Vines and wine production connect the village with the theme of wine, while the foods and bread mentioned here add a culinary dimension.

Festivals throughout the year

Omodos’s paved square dates from 1910 and covers 3,000 square metres. Every year on 14 September, Omodos holds a three-day festival in honour of the Holy Cross. Traders sell goods in the square in front of the monastery. LINAIA features four days of celebrations and exhibitions each August.

The Country Church of Apostle Philip is located around three kilometres west of Omodos. Every year on 14 November, a church service in honour of the Apostle is held there, attended by hundreds of worshippers. The annual dates therefore fall in August, September and November and mark different occasions: celebrations and exhibitions, a three-day festival in the village, and a church service nearby. If you want to plan your trip around an event, you can first choose your preferred time of year.

Omodos for your hotel search

If you would like to attend an annual event, plan your dates around it. For a culture-focused stay, the historic sites and lace-making can provide a focus.

Discover more destinations: Pano Platres, Vouni, Monagri, Moni, Troodos, Kellaki, Pyrgos, Chandria.

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