Lefkara (Greek: ) is a village on the island of
Cyprus famous for its lace, known as lefkaritika in (Greek: ) and silver handicrafts. The village takes its name from the white of its silica and limestone: Lefkara is derived from a combination of the Greek words "lefka" (Greek: , Translation: white) and "ori" (Greek: , Translation: mountains, hills). It is located on the southern slopes of the Troödos Mountains in the
Larnaca District of Cyprus, off the main
Nicosia-
Limassol highway. It features cobbled streets and picturesque architecture. The village is split into two administrative regions: upper and lower Lefkara (Greek: & ) with around 1,100 inhabitants. A common sight is groups of women who sit in the narrow village streets working on their fine embroidery, as they have for centuries. The village is also known for its skilled silversmiths who produce fine filigree work, and there is a small Turkish Delight factory. A folklore museum in the town shows visitors what life was like in Cyprus a hundred years ago. The museum is located in a restored house and exhibits the furniture and effects of a wealthy family, local costumes and examples of the Lefkara lacework. According to legend, Leonardo da Vinci visited the village in 1481, and purchased a lace cloth for the main altar of the Duomo di Milano. The lefkaritika style was probably imported to the village from antiquity from Assyria. Much later, the Venetians took it home, and set up their own lace industry on the island of Burano. In 1889 a local lace school was opened, and Lefkara lace regained much of its ancient renown.
