Cyprus is a place full of surprises.
When you think you know every corner of the island, it presents you with another unexpected discovery, especially when it comes to local villages.
There are many beautiful and picturesque villages in Cyprus, some of which are well-known, but there are also true hidden gems that are not so well-known. Visiting these villages is a unique opportunity to see and experience "another Cyprus," enjoy beautiful landscapes, and explore interesting historical landmarks on the island.
Today, we will talk about two very interesting Cypriot 'neighbors' - Monagri and Doros.
If you drive from Limassol towards Troodos, you can find yourself in a picturesque area called Monagri in about half an hour. The village is located only 20 km from the city, near the Kouris Reservoir.
The village has a special climate, more humid than the coast.
Thanks to this, Monagri is simply immersed in greenery. The mountain slopes of the village are covered with pine trees, junipers, endemic Cypriot cedars, as well as almond and citrus trees.
This feature also allows the locals to grow excellent grapes for the production of divine drinks. Monagri village has been one of the 14 wine-producing villages of the famous "Commandaria" since ancient times.
The Filfar Winery & Liqueur House, a fairly large winery for these parts, was founded in Monagri in 1991. It offers three types of wines and several types of signature liqueurs, including the popular "Filfar" liqueur, based on an old monastery recipe, with freshly harvested citrus fruits as its raw material.
The village's name comes from two words: "moni," which means "monastery," and "agrin," which translates to "small valley."
In fact, the village was formed in a small valley belonging to the monastery since Byzantine times, and the main work of its inhabitants was to serve the monastery's lands.
It's easy to walk around the village with a population of fewer than 200 people. The first thing that catches the eye is that many houses are either fully restored or in the process of being rebuilt. By the way, it's worth mentioning the peculiarities of the architecture of village houses. Almost all buildings in Monagri were built in the shape of the letter "P." The fourth side was closed by a wall, thus forming an inner courtyard, and a stone staircase inside it led to the flat roof of the house, where grapes were dried to produce wine.
Interestingly, during the Frankish rule, Monagri belonged to the family of the nobleman Alexander of Cappadocia, whose descendants still live in the village. Later, the King of Cyprus, James II, took the settlement away from him and gave it to his supporter. During the Turkish occupation, the village's inhabitants were forced to formally accept Islam while continuing to secretly practice the Christian faith.
Currently, there are 4 holy places in the vicinity of Monagri.
2 of them are located in the village itself. These are the church of Panagia Essokyra in the center of the community near a huge centuries-old pine tree, and the church of St. George XVI, the main parish church of Monagri. A modern large square with a small stage and the municipality building is located slightly to the side of the pine tree. There is also a strange contraption that looks like a hybrid of a rusty locomotive. In fact, it is a press for making grape juice.
However, the most valuable places in the Monagri area are the male monastery of St. Michael the Archangel and the female monastery of Panagia Amasgou. The St. Michael the Archangel Monastery has had several owners during its existence. For some time, it was owned by the Venetian consul, and then by the Orthodox Cypriots. When the monastery was threatened with bankruptcy in 1713, it was bought by the Kikkos Monastery.
The main "treasure" of the monastery is the eponymous church, which was built in 1740. This is a small single-nave basilica, unremarkable at first glance. But there is one difference from other similar churches - an unusual portico in front of the entrance, supported by two ancient marble columns. Most likely, these are parts of an early Christian basilica of the 4th-5th centuries or an ancient pagan temple.
Above the entrance to the church is a fresco depicting the Archangel Michael and Bishop of Kition (Larnaca) Makarios, who restored the church after a severe fire in the monastery. There is a small ethnographic museum, an art school, and a church shop on the monastery complex.
The Monastery of Panagia Amasgou is located on a gentle mountain slope and looks like a small medieval castle.
The monastery received its name from the icon of the Virgin Mary, brought to Cyprus from Damascus. It was founded in the early 12th century and was originally a male monastery. By the end of the 18th century, the monastery fell into disrepair and was therefore joined to the Monastery of Archangel Michael. Then, in 1992, the monastery was revived, but as a women's monastery. Currently, several nuns and novices live here.
Only the church of Panagia Amasgou has survived from the ancient monastery. It was built in the late 11th - early 12th centuries. The small single-nave church has a simple pitched tile roof. However, the level of fresco painting is not inferior to the churches included in the UNESCO list.
The building is decorated with paintings from different periods. Some of them are stylistically identical to the frescoes of the church of Panagia Tis Asinou and date back to 1105-1106. The paintings adorn the dome and the northwestern part of the wall and are dedicated to the twelve main church holidays. In the 16th century, a beautiful iconostasis appeared in the church, in the center of which is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary Amasgou.
If you go a little further from Monagri, you will come across another beautiful village - Doros.
The settlement is located at an altitude of 470 meters above sea level. You can also get there by turning left off the main road right after the Katerina Cyprus Sweets store. Doros is not the most well-known village in Cyprus. However, in recent years it has become more and more popular, primarily due to its proximity to Limassol. Those who are tired of beach and excursion holidays come here. The local atmosphere is relaxing and literally dissolves all accumulated negativity.
There are two versions of why the village was named Doros.
Some say that in ancient times, there was an impenetrable forest in its place, hence the name of the village came from the Ancient Greek word "doris," which means "forest." Others say that the village was founded by the Dorians, who arrived to colonize Cyprus from Greece. Upon landing on the island, they moved inland in search of suitable land for settlement. They discovered the river Kuris, and just above it, they built a new village and named it Doros.
Today, about 150 people live in Doros. Local residents are mainly engaged in agriculture and wine production, while some young people work remotely for international companies from Limassol.
It is best to start your journey through the village from the small square decorated with the Church of Panagia Galaktotrofousas (Virgin Mary the Milk Feeder).
The church was built in 1951 and is the main attraction for the village residents. Every week, Sunday services are held in the church, where all villagers gather. Next to the building, on a spacious square, numerous holidays and festivals are celebrated with great fanfare. There is also a children's playground here.
The main attraction of the village is undoubtedly the church of St. Epiphanius, dating back to the 14th century.
The building is surrounded by a beautiful garden and is completely immersed in greenery. In the courtyard, you can wander around enjoying the natural beauty and admiring the old bell tower. Alternatively, you can sit comfortably on a bench and enjoy the peace and quiet.
The church itself is quite modest. Many of the wall paintings did not survive, but those that have are very attention-grabbing. Inside, there are wonderful ancient icons, frescoes, and ancient Gospels. Many of the exhibits are several centuries old, and each of them is signed to help visitors understand the time period to which it belongs and where it was brought from.
Walking through the center of Doros, you can't help but admire the paved stone streets and ancient residential buildings that have preserved the spirit of a bygone era. In this part of the village, you feel like you've been transported back in time. It's hard to believe that all this cozy medieval charm exists here and now, in the 21st century.
If you continue walking a little further in Doros, you can observe an amazing and beautiful symbiosis between the old and the new.
Many old houses in the village have been restored to their original appearance and coexist harmoniously with modern buildings that are actively being constructed in the area.
The lands surrounding the village are very fertile.
Therefore, local residents grow almonds, apples, pears, and, of course, grapes, from which the famous "Commandaria" wine is produced throughout Cyprus and beyond. By the way, March is the perfect time to admire the almond blossom in Doros. This tree replaces sakura for the locals in the spring. The flowers on the almond appear before the leaves. Therefore, the nut orchards are a kind of celebration of bright, unusual flowers for natural landscapes. An important moment is the stunning scents. March air is fresh and pleasant by itself, but with almond notes, it is simply unique in Doros.
In addition, you can indulge not only your eyes and nose but also your stomach. Despite the fact that the flowers have only just appeared, there are a large number of last year's nuts underfoot. And they are the tastiest, because they have already been sun-smoked in natural conditions. Such nuts are unlikely to be found in a supermarket or even at a market.
The best place to admire the almond orchards of Doros is a cozy viewing platform on the outskirts of the village. From here, there is a stunning panoramic view of the huge white "sea" of blooming trees.
In Doros, there are two wineries, one of which is a family business owned by Panayiotis Karseras, his wife, and their four children. In 1998, the locals restored an old abandoned winery and resumed production of the most popular Cypriot wine, the "Commandaria," which became Karseras Winery's main specialty. The winery also produces several other varieties of white, red, and rosé wine. The winery is open every day for free tastings, so don't hesitate to stop by and pick up a bottle of this divine drink.
Finally, be sure to visit the ancient fountain, which was once the main source of water for the village residents, and take a photo with the main resident of the village - a 500-year-old olive tree.
It should be noted that the surroundings of Monagri and Doros are currently undergoing active development.
And it's not surprising! Investors are now attracted not only to luxury real estate by the sea, but also to housing in quiet and picturesque corners of the island.
For many, buying a "summer house" in a Cypriot village is an excellent opportunity to escape from the city bustle, to relax in an atmosphere of harmony, seclusion, and tranquility. Moreover, it is also possible to make good money by renting out the house to tourists for short periods. And there is also plenty to see in the area.
By the way, the option of buying a villa in Monagri or Doros for personal residence is also worth considering. The villages are strategically located. If you go to the right, you will reach Limassol, and if you go to the left, you will end up in Platres. And the journey won't take long, and the road is beautiful. Just imagine waking up to the singing of birds in the morning and enjoying beautiful landscapes.
If you are considering buying property in the suburbs of Limassol, take a look at the Doros residential complex.
It is located right between Monagri and Doros. You could say it unites them. The place is top-notch! There are two prestigious English schools nearby - The Heritage and The Island Private School. This is undoubtedly a plus, especially for families with children.
The Heritage was founded in 1987.
The school is housed in a modern building and includes a kindergarten, primary, middle, and high schools. Children of different nationalities from different countries aged 2 to 19 receive an education here. The school operates on the basis of the British educational program, and the lessons are taught in English. After classes, children can attend sports, music, and other interest clubs.
During the summer holidays from the end of June to the end of July, the school organizes a children's summer camp with a special educational and entertainment program - English and other languages, mathematics, computer science, dance, music, and theater classes, excursions.
The Institute operates at the school, which offers additional language, sports, and music classes for students, as well as educational courses for adults.
The Island Private School is a poly-systemic school that opened its doors in 2022.
The school offers several educational programs, including the International Baccalaureate and Waldorf programs.
The institution is progressive, and all programs are united by a common approach to education. The main idea is not just to teach children basic knowledge or prepare them for exams but to develop the skills necessary in the 21st century: critical thinking, creativity, entrepreneurship, curiosity, and the ability to work independently. A lot of attention is paid to teamwork and project work.
For the 2022-2023 academic year, the school opened five kindergarten groups for children from 3 years old, primary and secondary school up to 9th grade. In the future, education will be provided up to the 12th grade. Graduates will receive an International Baccalaureate diploma recognized by leading universities worldwide.
By 2024, the school administration plans to admit about 1600 students.
Doros Project sounds like an exclusive development of 10 luxurious villas. The villas range from 2 to 7 bedrooms and are between 110 sqm to 320 sqm in size.
The buildings are constructed to the highest quality standards, which is particularly important given that the developer is reliable! All the buildings have simple geometric shapes, functional layouts, modern finishes, panoramic windows, modern fireplaces, and, most importantly, good insulation for warmth and soundproofing. Each house has a private parking space, a BBQ area, a beautiful garden, and a pool with an ozone disinfection system for the water.
The project is developed in a modern style - light-brown facades and spacious terraces harmoniously blend into the architecture of the region.
Innovative construction technologies, unique location, and bold design allowed the project authors to create something special. Something that is destined to be a source of true pride for some and undisguised envy for others.
By the way, since the complex is under construction, you have a unique opportunity to choose the finish to your liking from the proposed options. In other words, you can participate in creating the house of your dreams!
Don't miss this opportunity!
Available units in Doros Project for sale
Detailed information about all projects in Limassol can be obtained from the specialists of the number one real estate agency in Cyprus, DOM, by phone at +357 25 212 212, or in person at the following address: Demetri Psatha 24, Kolonakiou 4102, Limassol, Cyprus.
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