Lazanias

Lazanias is one of the most picturesque villages in Cyprus. It is located in the district of Nicosia and was built at an altitude of about 900 meters. According to the 2001 census, the village has only 33 inhabitants. Although this number has decreased a lot, the village has had a flow of development in recent years.

There are several interpretations regarding the name of the village. According to the first version, the name Lazanias is related to the Lusignans. Between 1192 and 1489, they applied the feudal system to Cyprus, abolished the privileges of the Holy Monastery of Machaira and gave the village as a feud to one of the Lusignans. The Orthodox population then reacted by saying "the land of the Lusignians (Lazaniades)" which gave birth to the name of the village. A variation of this version says that the Frankish family that was given the village as a feud was called "de Lusignan". Lazanias is therefore a corruption of the name "Lusignan" referring to the François de Luzignan's royal family. Another interpretation says that the village's name comes from its first settler called "Lazanias".

Activities and places of interest
In the village of Lazanias you will find beautiful churches of significant architecture and archaeological value such as the church of St. George built in the 19th century. This church is wood-carved and according to the Great Cypriot Encyclopedia, it is believed to have been built between 1811 and 1821 and then renovated in 1855. Visit also the Chapel of Agios Mamas and the Monastery of Machaira built at an altitude of 870 meters on the mountain of Kionia in the valley of the Machairas Mountains. Don't forget to take a look at the Heroes Monument dedicated to a group of fighters created in 1957 after the hero of Gregory Afxentiou and the hiding place of this well known hero.