Agia Varvara Village
Discover Nicosia’s history and culture with expert-guided tours, revealing hidden gems and landmarks along the way.
Agia Varvara Village
Village History and Heritage
Exploring the Rich Past and Cultural Legacy
The village of Agia Varvara is located approximately 22 kilometers south of Nicosia, at an altitude of 310 meters. Surrounded by uncultivated land, the village’s residents primarily cultivate cereals, particularly wheat and barley, along with olives and vines.
In spring, the almond trees bloom beautifully across the plains. Historically, the area was once home to a small village named Agios Georgios, which was rebuilt after a fire in 620 AD, leading to the village’s current name. Agia Varvara has a rich history, evidenced by various caverns believed to have served as catacombs for early Christians.
The village has grown over the years, with a population increase from 449 in 1881 to 1,421 in 2001. Today, many residents work in Nicosia while others engage in agriculture, livestock farming, or operate local businesses.
Agia Varvara: Dam - Archaeological Site “Almyras”
A stony Water Dam has been constructed in the River Yialias by the residents of the Community. The dam is located northwest of the Community, at the location “Kourkas
The “Almyras” site in Ayia Varvara, discovered in 1982, is a significant ancient copper production facility in Cyprus. Excavations between 1988 and 1998 revealed a rich history spanning 4,000 years, with evidence of copper production dating back to 600 BC.
Artifacts include furnaces, mineral veins, and ceremonial items like figurines and a limestone ram statuette, indicating both industrial activity and religious practices.
Research at Almyras highlights the advanced technology used in copper production and its crucial role in ancient Cyprus’s socio-economic landscape.
Museum
Gregoris Theocharous, known as “Mastre Glioris,” was a remarkable figure from Ayia Varvara, Nicosia. Born in 1887, he overcame early hardships, including losing his father at age five, and began working as a confectioner in Egypt at 13.
There, he gained practical knowledge that would later fuel his creativity. Returning to Cyprus, he became a self-taught engineer, innovating in his village. He mechanized rural occupations, designing a multi-functional machine that powered a flourmill, olive press, water pump, and more.
His inventions improved daily life for villagers, earning him a revered status. Mastre Glioris lived to 104, with his legacy preserved through the First Industrial Laboratory of Ayia Varvara, now a museum.
Heroes Monument
The Heroes’ Monument in Agia Varvara honors the victims from the community of Choristi in Drama who resisted the Bulgarian occupation (1912-1913, 1916-1918, 1941-1944), as well as the heroes from Agia Varvara who fought or died for the country.
The monument, featuring two vertical marble plaques and three columns, was built in 2010 by the Agia Varvara Community Council. Its inauguration took place in September 2010, with the ceremony led by then Minister of Health, Mr. Christos Patsalides.
