Louvaras is a village situated in the Troödos Mountains of Cyprus, within the Limassol District. It lies approximately 28 kilometres north of the city of Limassol at an altitude of about 850 metres (2 790 ft) above sea level.
Geography
- Coordinates: 34°50′12″ N 33°02′27″ E.
- The village is part of the scenic Pitsilia region and is surrounded by the volcanic hills of the Troödos range.
Demographics
- According to the 2001 Census of the Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, Louvaras had a population of 380 residents.
History and Culture
- The settlement dates back to medieval times and was incorporated into the Frankish‑era Grand Commandery of the Knights Hospitaller, whose seat was at nearby Kolossi.
- Louvaras is noted for its association with Commandaria, a historic sweet wine produced in the area since the medieval period.
Landmarks
- The small medieval church of St Mamas, built in 1455, stands in the centre of the village. Its interior frescoes have been the subject of photogrammetric and laser‑scanning documentation.
- The hamlet of Athrakos is administratively part of the Louvaras community.
Administration
- Country: Cyprus
- District: Limassol District
- Time zone: Eastern European Time (UTC+2) and Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3) during daylight‑saving months.
Economy
- The local economy traditionally revolves around viticulture, particularly the production of Commandaria wine, as well as small‑scale agriculture and tourism linked to the village’s historic sites and mountain scenery.
References
- Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, 2001 Population Census.
- “Visualization of Frescos by Means of Photogrammetry and Laser Scanning,” CIPA 2005 Symposium, Torino.
This entry summarizes information from publicly available encyclopedic sources.