Visiting Lefkara Village

Lovely day exploring the picturesque village of Lefkara!

I didn’t hike today though, just took a stroll down the winding cobbled streets and admired the quaint houses.

It was lovely chatting with the locals too and learning about how the tradition of handmade lace embroidery has been passed down from generation to generation.

A few words about Lefkara village:

Lefkara village is situated at the foot of the Troodos mountains in Cyprus, and it has a population of about 2,500 inhabitants.

It is world-renowned for its traditional handmade lace embroidery, known as ‘Lefkaritika’.

The lace craft has been practiced in the village since Venetian times.

Legend has it that the great painter Leonardo da Vinci visited the village in 1481. He was so captivated by the skilfulness and delicacy of the embroidery, that he bought a lace alter cloth, which he donated to the Duomo cathedral in Milan.

The lace embroidery that is made in Lefkara has been recognised with its inclusion on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List, which is defined as ‘practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills’ from around the world that are protected for their invaluable cultural heritage.