Pano Lefkara, Mountain village with lace crafts in Larnaca District, Cyprus.
Pano Lefkara is a mountain village with stone houses lining narrow streets at approximately 575 meters elevation, surrounded by limestone hills in southeastern Cyprus. The settlement contains multiple craft workshops, restaurants, and a Folk Art Museum housed in the Patsalos building.
The settlement originated during the Byzantine period and reached its peak in the 16th century when it became the largest town in Cyprus. This era established the place as a major center on the island.
Local women create intricate lace patterns using techniques inherited through generations, while silversmiths produce detailed filigree work that remains central to village life. These crafts are visible in workshops throughout the settlement and shape how residents and visitors experience the place.
The village sits about 30 kilometers from Larnaca airport and is reached by paved roads through surrounding hills. It is best visited early in the day when fewer visitors are present and the streets feel less crowded.
Leonardo da Vinci acquired a lace cloth from the village around 1481, intended as a gift for Milan Cathedral. This event shows how far the reputation of its craftspeople had spread by that time.
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