Historical sources reveal that the various conquerors of Cyprus had left their traces in Lefkara. In the era of the Frankish rule (1260AD), Lefkara became the seat of the Amathus Bishopric, one of the four Bishopric seats, where the Greek Bishops took refuge after the Latins had prosecuted them.
 |
Under Venetian rule (1489-1570 LAD), Lefkara became a tourist resort for the Venetian noblewomen, who, according to a historical version, taught the craft of embroidery (Lefkaritiko Lace) to the women of the village. It is believed that during this period, the great painter Leonardo Da Vinci visited Lefkara and bought a large tablecloth for the altar of the Milan Cathedral.
|
Around 1570 AD, when the Turks invaded Cyprus to conquer the island, a great number of civilians found refuge in Lefkara in order to escape from the Turkish ferocity. However, it seems that Lefkara had been the first victim of the Turkish invasions where, according to written sources, a great number of inhabitants had been slaughtered in the Church of the Holy Cross.
The English conquerors (1878 AD) declared Lefkara a Municipality (1883 AD), something that changed the entire course of the evolution of the town.
 |
Lefkara is well known almost all around the world for its wonderful embroidery, called the Lefkaritiko Lace. The women of Lefkara initially embroidered and used these beautiful embroideries to decorate their own houses. At a later stage however, and towards the end of the 19th century, they realized that these works of art could be sold to decorate the houses of people from the other regions as well. |
This idea gave way to the beginning of the Lefkara Lace trade. With a bag full of Lefkara lace in their hands, a number of daring young villagers began traveling in all directions aiming to sell the famous embroideries. Coming back to the village with a respectable amount of money, the villagers realised that the trade of Lefkara Lace was becoming a serious source of income for their families. The embroidery trade was then on its way, and at the same time, a great potential for the evolution of the embroidery itself was realised.
People all over the world loved the Lefkaritiko Lace and this great love was kept alive through the centuries. Even today, watching the Lefkara women embroidering in the narrow streets of Lefkara becomes an enjoyment for every by passer. The Lefkara Lace – the beautiful embroidery that was used by generations of people all around the world to decorate and beautify their homes – is still loved, admired and used in the same manner today.
 |
And while the Lefkara women expressed their artistic sense by creating beautiful embroideries, the Lefkara men, also blessed with a sense of art decorated with special artistry the censers the rose water canisters, the silver teaspoons and so many other silver works of art. The art of silverware, still flourishing today in Lefkara, offers fine works of art to silver lovers everywhere.
|
In the heart of the village there is the church of the Holy Cross, which dates back to the 14th Century AD. What is characteristic of the church is the wood carved shrine, made in 1760 AD. According to tradition, the big silver cross, which bears a piece of the Holy Wood, is kept in the unseen crypt found in the shrine.
Every corner of Lefkara is deeply related to Christianity since many historic chapels where services are still held today, are scattered around every neighborhood of the village.
Lefkara, as a whole, represents a lively museum where the visitor can, in every corner of the village, feel the experience of living in past periods. The Museum of Folklore Art is the most representative sample of Folklore Architecture, which characterises Lefkara. The museum is a 19th century mansion (the Patsalos Residence), where time has stopped and everything reminds the visitor of the past. The sofas, the big wood carved mirrors, the old beds, and the costumes of the house’s dignitary and noblewoman are some of the wonderful exhibits of the museum. The pride of the museum, however, is the old collection of the 19th century Lefkaritiko Lace embroideries which is exhibited in one of its rooms
|