Print this pageVouni
Vouni perched on a high ridge, (Vounos in Greek means Mountain), is more original architecturally than Kilani, and has a preservation order on its buildings. Unfortunately this has not helped to prevent a general level of decay setting in at the core of the village, with the odd sensitive refurbishment. The village does have two restaurants in its old streets, of some reputation, and you may wish to visit them later as they open evenings only.
There is a kafenio, happy for you to stop and chat over Greek coffee and beyond that the church rebuilt in 19th Century dedicated to St John of Prodromos, a Cypriot resistance hero, who saved the village from the plague in 1696. A wonderful painting of the saint's death can be seen in the church, if you can find the priest to open up, and if you can pin down the mayor (muktari) a local museum can be opened for you. More unusual however is the fact that Vouni has a Devonshire tea shop, and a traditional Cyprus sausage factory!
Our walk takes us out of Vouni village and past the Vouni Donkey Sanctuary, which few will want to miss - entry is free. We then climb steeply up a concrete track for a few minutes, turn north and head straight ahead on a good dirt road that climbs towards the peak of Mount Afame at 3000 feet. The view now is north towards Mount Olympus.
All around here the vineyards have been abandoned on the poorest, steepest land, as the demand for the traditional grape varieties has declined. We skirt left of the peak and then with Omodhos village below us we descend into the river valley passing many vineyards on the way. Finally the sting in the tail we climb steeply for 15 to 20 minutes out of the valley into the maze of narrow streets that is Omodhos. Time taken from Pera Pedi to Omodhos 4 hours.