Properties in Xylophagou and Liopetri and Sotira Villages

Paralimni has become the main municipality in the free Famagusta region and is surrounded by small friendly communities including the village of Xylophagou.

The properties in Xylophagou and in the other villages being developed tend to be affordable villas for residency, as they are away from the beaches and the noisy bustling tourist areas.

However, some apartments are available for those seeking to be near enough to the tourist areas but at much cheaper prices. In fact, some properties in Xylophagou are some of the cheapest to be found in the Republic of Cyprus.

The area around Liopetri, Paralimni, Sotira, Xylophagou, Kapparis, and Dheryneia is responsible for almost all the potatoes produced in Cyprus and are called the ‘red soil villages’ after the fertile earth in the region. The UK is a large consumer of these potatoes. These villages are all within a 15 minute drive of Ayia Napa.

Liopetri is home to two churches of interest; the medieval church of Panagia and the church of Agios Andronikos, which is understood to have been built around the 15th century. It has an octagonal dome and in the apse there can still be seen some remnants of its murals. Close by are the remains of a Venetian watch tower. The French poet Arthur Rimbeaud is known to have worked in this area in the 1880's.

The fishing shelter at Potamos Liopetriou, just east of the village of Xylofagou, is a photogenic inlet where fishermen men spend by day repairing their nets, before setting sail in the evening to go fishing. Liopetri is also well known for its basket making tradition.

Xylophagou (Xylofagou)
Pronounced : sillo-fargo
Was built during the Ottoman rule and took its name from its very first settler called Xerophagos (dry food eater). Whilst the area was basically uninhabited, several monasteries were built of which unfortunately only their names remain notably Efstathios and Saint Barbara being the most important.

Sotira
Has a population of just over 1500 people and takes its name from the church in the centre of the village, (Sotira meaning saviour in Greek) The church has wonderful displays of Komninian art (13th – 16th) centuries and is dedicated to the transfiguration of Jesus Christ the Saviour.
It is a quiet area, with all the local amenities of a village, while it is only 5 minutes to Ayia Thekla and Ayia Napa and 8 minutes to Protaras by car.
Sotira lake also has wonderful winter wildlife.
Agios Mamas, which was initially built in the 12th century and later rebuilt in the 16th with frescoes is near the east entrance of Sotira.

Another two churches in the area, such as the cruciform church of Panagia Khordajiotissa, which also dates back to the 15th century which has had its dome restored, and the church of St. George (Ayios Georghios) with its three aisle Syrian – type ( early christian ) basilicas are worth visiting. There is also a small Ecclesiastical Museum in Sotira.
So if you are seeking properties in Xylofagou, please contact our staff, they have inside knowledge of the area as our staff either live or/and own property nearby. They can also give you information on a first hand basis as to the style and cost of living one can expect.

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