Kampia Village
Discover Nicosia’s history and culture with expert-guided tours, revealing hidden gems and landmarks along the way.
Kampia Village
Village History and Heritage
Kampia is a village in the Nicosia district, situated on a plateau within the Machaira mountain range, at an elevation of 500 meters. It lies alongside the Nicosia-Kapedes road. The original settlement, located west of the current village, was built in the valley of the Pediou River. Today, the only remaining structure in the old settlement is the church of Saint George.
Historical Background
Historical records indicate that during the medieval period, from 1445 to 1480, the village of Kampia was under the ownership of the feudal lord Pao Costa, who utilized the local population as serfs.
A notable chapter in Kampia’s history is its connection to Archbishop Kyprianos. According to some accounts, Kyprianos was born in Kampia in 1756. The village held significance for him, as evidenced by his donation of the icon of Saint Tryphon, known as the patron of agriculture, to help combat a grasshopper infestation. Additionally, he gifted a bell to the old Saint George’s Church. In 1818, Kyprianos funded the construction of a village fountain, which, during the EOKA liberation struggle, was damaged by the British, who suspected it concealed a munitions cache.
Occupations and Way of Life - Religious Landmarks
As of 2018, Kampia had a population of around 500, with residents engaged in various trades, including craftsmanship, agriculture, livestock farming, and employment in different sectors. In the early 20th century, basket weaving was also a common occupation. Up until the 1950s, many locals worked in nearby mining operations.
Kampia features two notable churches. In the modern village, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, constructed between 1957 and 1960, follows the Byzantine architectural style, complete with a dome. In the old village, the Saint George’s Church, built between 1840 and 1845, stands with its thick stone and limestone walls. It is still in use today, with services held on Saint George’s feast day and the first Sunday of each month.
The Kokkinonero Mine
To the west of Kampia, near the village of Kapedes, the land was once mined extensively for copper and pyrite. The mining operation, conducted by the Hellenic Mining Company, involved transporting earth to the surface using small trains.
Over time, these activities created a vast amphitheater-shaped basin. When mining ceased, the company left the area without any rehabilitation efforts, such as tree planting. However, nature gradually reclaimed the site, filling the basin with water and transforming it into a vibrant red-hued lake.
Known as the Kokkinonero Mine, this picturesque lake now stands between the villages of Kapedes, Kampia, and Analiontas, a remnant of the mid-20th-century mining era.
