The Anafotida village, or as it is known better, Anafotia, is found west of Larnaca, at about 25 kilometres. It used to be a mixed village and Turkish Cypriots lived in it, who, after commands from Ankara, left in 1963. Back then it was a village with a rich grape, carob and olive production. There are quite a few vines still today.
The main church of the village is the Holy Church of Agios Dimitrios Myrovlytis. Up until a few dozens of years ago, another stone built church with a great architectural value was in its place. Its size was probably the largest in Cyprus. Unfortunately for unknown reasons, some people decided to demolish it, depriving the next generations of a construction of an infinite beauty, and of a religious monument that was unique in Cyprus, or even in the Greek area.
Anafotia has two churches and two chapels. The churches are those of Agios Dimitrios and Agia Foteini. The chapels are dedicated to the Saints Timotheos and Mavra and to Agia Marini.
The community has an anarchic development. There is no defined orientation in architecture to give a certain identity to the village. There are streets but there are no pavements. On the ancient castle, and after the demolishment of half of it, a house was built on it!!! The central square is paved, and comes to total contrast with the houses that follow, at least on the outside. The have an aegean style.
In general Anafotia needs to decide whether it is situated in 1821 or if as a community it lives in 2014 and I am not only talking about the character of the village, but also its mentality.
