A Visit to the Village of Tochni - Larnaca, Cyprus

The village of Tochni is a small, traditional  village of about 300 inhabitants which lies along the south-western part of rural Larnaca, at about 20 km from Larnaca town. The village is made up of stone-built houses on the slopes of two hills with a small river cutting across them. The name of the village is said to derive from the greek word "techni" meaning "art", as the village was once noted for its great master masons that worked the stone of the area in quite a unique way. 

With the introduction of agrotourism to the area, the village has seen a surge of renovation with more and more beautiful, heart-warming stone houses revealed from beneath the rendered exterior, where they had been hidden for so many years. The exposure of the houses made from local stone with their court-yards, blooming gardens and the winding, narrow alleys, which form the streets in the village, are the most distinctive characeristics of the area together with the gorgeous, natural cacti which grow there.

On May 1st  (Labour Day), I visited Tochni for the first time and was overwhelmed by so much beauty around me. Funny how sometimes it may take years to discover  that a unique landscape of unspeakable beauty lies only a few kilometres away from home.  Alkis and I had a wonderful time there and we are now toying with the idea of spending a romantic, winter weekend at Tochni.  

  

Comments

[Walid]

Habebti.
Hello.Thank you kindly for posting this.You really made my heart beet fast.Tell you as I come from a family who all the old generations were stone builders.
I know what a solid stone builders means .Working in the sun, Sorry to put it this way. His Hinges (ass)higher than his head all day.That what my late father answered me when, I asked him why didn't he teach me this art, to carry on with it in the family.In fact such jobs are going to be gone after two generations I guess.
There in this village you visited is an art of work I knew this from the church Hump it is a piece of art the roof and the place the bell is fixed.
Most of the roofs are red brick Wonderful sight as some traditional old houses here.Orthodox churches are mostly all some how the same in the world.God bless.
Yours .
Walid.

[Faith]

This looks like a lovely area. Next time I come, we will have to visit it.

[Anastasia]

I didn't know your father was a stone builder, Walid. Indeed, it's a very hard job. This village has been preserved as it was about 2 centuries ago. It is noted for its unique architecture and peaceful landscape. In recent years, it's been a pole of attraction for visitors who wish to spend a quiet and relaxing holiday off the beaten track.

[Anastasia]

Definitely! It's well worth a visit and I'm sure you'll love it! Tochni is a bit like the town of Bodie in California - the difference being that Tochni isn't a ghost village, it's got a tavern or two and a small hotel and about 300 people still live there.

[Stefania]

I've been a few times to Tochni and love it so much. Whenever I want to get away from daily routine, I drive there and relax for a couple of hours. I so love the beautiful scenery and enjoy taking a walk along the narrow alleys. The people are also very friendly and hospitable.