Kathikas in my opinion is arguably the prettiest and friendliest village in the Paphos area. Since settling in Paphos it has pleased me to learn that the local people in this village and many of the smaller villages in the area are now being encouraged, by way of grant, to renovate and retain their traditional homes. Kathikas village is approximately a 15-20 minute drive northeast of Paphos and the scenery along the way is a delight as you climb into the hills. The village is surrounded by grapevines, of which, many have been handed down through the family generations. Many of the villages work in the wine growing industry supporting the growth of the two local, family owned wineries, namely Sterna and Vasillikon. The purpose of my trip on this particular day was to visit Kathikas and see for myself one of the villages newly renovated traditional stone houses. What I saw and the story I was told blew me away. This Kathikas stone villa has been renovated to an extremely high standard without losing any of the old charm and traditional aspects of the original building. The owner has been able to enrich his family property and was justifiably proud to share with me the Kathikas village traditions and a little of his family history. Traditionally, the old stone houses were built on one level and would have housed not only the family but their livestock as well. The property would have been sectioned off into smaller square rooms for the family and to one side they would house the family donkey and maybe a cow. Today this traditional stone house has been opened up to expose arched doorways and wooden beams. The ceiling has been finished in bamboo, a tradition that has mainly gone beside the way. The young owner advised me that every village had a different style of finish within their houses and to make sure he retained the traditional of his village he enlisted one of the Kathikas village elders to show him the methods they used to create the bamboo finish. Having picked up the tips and tricks from this older gentleman, he then recruited volunteers from within the local school to help him put it all together. The result is astonishing. Other than the structural renovation the stone villa has been furnished in keeping with the era. There is a replica high raised iron bed, the traditional Cypriot bread paddle, rustic furniture, and assorted pottery. The owner explains to us that his grandmother produced 11 children in this house which has been passed down through the family to him. In his grandmothers lifetime no houses had water on mains and it was therefore collected in jugs from a well near to the village church. The jugs and the storage areas are visible throughout the villa. This Kathikas stone villa now offers all the comforts of todays lifestyle. Standing in its own private courtyard, this Paphos holiday villa is complimented by a relaxing pool area, outdoor pergola with BBQ, fine landscaping and even a private well. I thanked my friend for sharing some history and culture with me and it was easy to see how proud he was of his achievement, and well he should be. By giving the holiday maker the opportunity to also experience and share a little of his background, he is not only preserving the family home but creating an income for his family and ensuring the nature of the village itself does not get spoilt. By encouraging select new developments and renovations the locals themselves can contribute to improving and boosting the area based simply on its traditional character and nature. The village itself retains a very traditional and friendly atmosphere and is an ideal location for walking, bird watching, wine tasting, meeting the locals or simply total relaxation. A visitors centre is available for maps and additional information on the surrounding area. The village also boasts small supermarkets, cafes and some very select tavernas and restaurants, enough to provide for residents and visitors alike. For more information on this particular villa, view http://www.rent-a-villa-in-paphos.com/Kathikas-stone-villa.html |
