Xylofagou

Xylofagou (Greek: Ξυλοφάγου [locally [ksiloˈfau]]) is a sprawling Greek-Cypriot village situated close to the A3 Motorway between Dhekelia (Larnaca) and Paralimni / Agia Napa. It lies on the northern flank of a hill,[2] on the edge of an area of a group of several similar villages known as the "Kokkinochoria" ("the red villages"), known for growing vegetables, especially potatoes, in red soil.

Xylofagou
Agios Georgios church
Xylofagou Location in Cyprus
Coordinates: 34°58′30″N 33°51′6″E
Country	Cyprus
District	Larnaca District
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	6,231
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Website	www.xylophagou.com.cy

Etymology

"Xylo" is the Greek word for "wood" and a "fagou" is an extremely popular barbecue-style spit roast used on holidays and high-days for cooking souvlakia. Most of the village lies in Larnaca District.

Landmarks

The town is home to a medieval Venetian watchtower.[3][4]

Near Xylofagou is the Cave of the 40 Martyrs, where Christian soldiers sacrificed their lives in the 16th century to evade capture by the Ottomans.[5]

Xylophagou Tower

Xylophagou Tower
(Greek: Ο Πύργος της Ξυλοφάγου, Turkish: Xylofagou Gözetleme Kulesi)
Location within Cyprus
General information
Architectural style	Medieval
Town or city	Xylofagou
Country	Dhekelia,  Akrotiri and Dhekelia Larnaca District  Cyprus
Coordinates	34.950326°N 33.855896°E / 34.950326; 33.855896

Xylophagou Tower is a Venetian watchtower located in Pyrgos, south of Xylofagou.[6][7]

References

1. "C1. POPULATION ENUMERATED BY SEX, AGE, DISTRICT, MUNICIPALITY/COMMUNITY AND QUARTER (1.10.2011)", Population - Place of Residence, 2011, Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus, 2014-04-17, archived from the original on 2014-04-20, retrieved 2014-04-20
2. Bekker-Nielsen, Tonnes (2004). The Roads of Ancient Cyprus. Museum Tusculanum Press. p. 189. ISBN 978-87-7289-956-5. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
3. "The Venetian Watchtowers…". www.angloinfo.com. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
4. "Venetian Watchtowers Route (West Larnaka Region)". Larnaka Tourism Board. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
5. Bryant, Sue (27 January 2009). Frommer's Cyprus With Your Family: From the Best Family Beaches to Mountain Villages. John Wiley & Sons. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-470-72318-0. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
6. "The Venetian Watchtowers…". www.angloinfo.com. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
7. "Venetian Watchtowers Route (West Larnaka Region)". Larnaka Tourism Board. Retrieved 23 April 2018.