Built at 620 meters altitude, on the banks of the river Klarios, Galata is one of the diamonds of the Troodos mountain range in Cyprus.
The location and history of
Galata is located 60 km west of Nicosia, in the valley of Solia. Looking back to history, where myths and legends were mixed with history, it is said that, west of today’s village, some shepherds lived with their herds. Tradition wants people who lived in the lower places to go there and buy milk.
Of these “galataes” (meaning mil-men) it is considered, therefore, according to the tradition, that the village took the name Galata. Another version wants the name to be given to it by the first inhabitants who came from Gaul of Asia Minor during the Byzantine period and were called Galates (Galates is the Greek word for “Gauls”).
Galata: The village of wooden balconies
Apart from the beautiful natural landscape, if anything makes Galata stand out, is its wooden balconies and its unique architecture. The old traditional houses were built on the basis of folk traditional architecture, with two floors. On the second floor, there was an extension of the wooden balcony which looked towards the main road. Today this architecture may be declining but many examples of it remain in the village.
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The famous Panagia Podithos
Near the village of Galata, there is a famous monastery. Panagia Podithos that has been standing there since 1502! It is dedicated to Panagia Eleousa and has been included in the Unesco World Cultural Heritage List. It’s a monastery that, since you see it for the first time, you can’t easily forget. It has a rectangular shape and, on its east side, it ends in a prominent semi-circular arch. The walls of the church are built with rough stones and mud.
Galata, especially during the summer months, is one of the most favourite destinations of Cypriots and foreign visitors. And it’s not accidental. It is a village dressed in all the colours of the palette of nature. Where nature has generously given away its most beautiful elements. Its natural vegetation and areas of arable land – the village is famous for its fruits – mingle creating images that look like a painting.
I’m sure this is a trip that won’t look like any other. A walk in the Byzantine history, on the river Klario and in the village that has wooden balconies as its trademark …
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Frequently Asked Questions
Galata is located 60 km west of Nicosia in the Solia valley, built at 620 meters altitude on the banks of the river Klarios in the Troodos mountain range.
Galata is famous for its traditional architecture featuring distinctive wooden balconies on the second floor of old houses that extend toward the main road. These balconies are a trademark of the village's unique folk architecture style.
According to tradition, the name Galata comes from 'galataes,' meaning milk-men, referring to shepherds who lived in the area and sold milk to people from lower regions. Another version suggests the name was given by first inhabitants from Gaul of Asia Minor called Galates who arrived during the Byzantine period.
Panagia Podithos is a famous monastery located near Galata that has stood since 1502 and is dedicated to Panagia Eleousa. It is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List and features a rectangular shape with a prominent semi-circular arch on its east side, built with rough stones and mud.
Galata is especially popular during summer months with both Cypriot and foreign visitors because of its beautiful natural landscape, traditional architecture, natural vegetation, and arable land. The village is famous for its fruits and offers a unique blend of nature, history, and Byzantine heritage.
