Lofou Village

The village of Lofou lies within the district known as the 'ampelochoria', situated between Limassol and Paphos, approximately 26 kilometers northwest of Limassol city.

Lofou, nestled in a circular layout on hills at an elevation of 780 meters, receives an average annual rainfall of around 650 centimeters. Surrounded by mountains with steep slopes, the terrain is intersected by two rivers originating from the river 'Kouris', known as the canals of 'Kryos' and 'Kouris'.

Connected by asphalted roads, Lofou has links to neighboring villages such as 'Pera Pedi' to the north (6.5 km away) and 'Saint Therapon' to the southwest (4.5 km away). Historically, it was also connected to 'Alassa' in the southeast until the village was relocated due to flooding from the 'Kouris' weir. Additionally, it has road connections to 'Sylikou', 'Monagri', and 'Doros'.

Presently, it takes about 25 minutes to reach Lofou from Limassol. By traveling up the main road towards Platres and turning left after Alassa village, visitors may arrive in Lofou within 15 minutes.

The name 'Lofou' originates from the Greek word 'lofos', meaning 'hill', reflecting its geographical setting. While historically known as "Lofos" since the early 20th century, it eventually evolved linguistically into 'Lofou', possibly due to changes in local dialects, as suggested by Simos Menandros (1970). Despite its historical roots, there is no precise founding date for Lofou, though archaeological evidence suggests inhabitation since the Bronze Age.

The village likely predates the Frankish occupation of Cyprus in the late 12th century, serving as a refuge from Arab raids along the coast. The first written mentions of Lofou date back to Frankish times, with records indicating its inclusion in the king of Cyprus's domain.

During Ottoman rule, Lofou was part of the 'kaza of Koilani' and was predominantly inhabited by Greek Cypriots. Notable developments during this period include the construction of the village church and the establishment of a primary school.

Under British rule, Lofou underwent significant changes, primarily becoming a vast vineyard landscape. Economic and political turmoil gripped Cyprus in subsequent years, impacting the livelihoods of farmers and sparking political unrest, fueled by unfulfilled aspirations for Greek unification.