Although one of the main touristic route, highway B8 leading from Limassol to Troodos and further in Kikkos monastery, comes through Lania, Lania is off the beaten trail. But you must not miss it. Lania is not simply one more picturesque village saving traditional architecture with its winding narrow streets and white houses surrounded by gardens.

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Lania is a center of wine-making. Even the name "Lania" is connected with wine. "Lenos" in Greek means is wine grape press, while "lenaia" is  another name for the Maenads (the female worshippers of Dionysos). Henry de Champagne of France, had visited the village during the middle of the 12th century in search of a new breed of grape vines to replace his own due to a disease that destroyed his entire crop. Lania and the neighboring areas provided him with a suitable replacement. The variety of Grape still exists today contributing to the Champagne production in France. Owners of Karydia are among the best wine makers.

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But Lania is not only center of wine-making. Its charm attracts many artists, who moved here choosing Lania as their home and in such a way converting Village of Wine into Village of Painters.  Make sure you visit the art studio of Patrick Thompson at the entrance of the village. Not forget about the gallery of Michael Owen. You will recognize the house by the yellow gates leading to an unusual little yard with a green garden, where the painter took his inspiration.

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Lania is very old village with the rich history. Ancient pottery and an ancient tablet were found with an inscription dating the pieces to the periods of 1050 – 750BC. This account dates the village to at least 3000 years old. In the large cave called the cave of Agias located between the villages of Lania, Agiou Mama and Limnati the letters «ΙΧΘΥΣ» was found scratched on the walls indicating the presence of the first Christians. After the fall of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of the Franks many monasteries were built giving the village economic and administrative autonomy. In the region of Lania, there still stand several of those monasteries such as, the Valanas, Agias Marina, the Katalimmata, Amasgou, and the Archaggelos. The first primary school was operated in 1845 by the village and the first teacher being Mr. Hadjifillipos Lanitis. The first horse driven bus appeared in Laneia in 1920. It shuttled from Аlassa to Limassol.  

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An important legacy of Lania is its church. The 12th century Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary of Valana may be found there and is believed to have miraculous powers. A pair of wooden carved boards depicting the scene of Adam and Eve with the serpent offering the forbidden fruit is also kept there.

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Тhose who are interestеd in history should come to the village on a Sunday from 3 tо 6 when you can listen to a lecture in the ethnographic museum.

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And when sightseeing is finished welcome to Christos&Diane cafe-bar Walnut Tree, where you can relax, eat and drink the great Comandaria produced by owners. This wine is not worse than best Malaga. Do not believe? Try. 

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