Kakopetria
2026 exam question: Kakopetria and Galata are in the Solea Valley
The story
Kakopetria is a village in Nicosia District on the northern slope of Troodos, the highest in the Solea Valley, at about 670 meters. Two mountain streams meet in the village, and lower down the valley the neighboring village of Galata almost joins it. The old quarter, with stone houses and wooden balconies, is a protected area under the Department of Antiquities. About two kilometers from the village stands the church of Saint Nicholas tis Stegis, meaning “of the Roof”, named for the second, gabled roof over the church. It is an eleventh-century church, one of the ten painted churches of Troodos on the UNESCO list. From 1955 to 1959 the forests around the village held hideouts of EOKA fighters. EOKA was the Greek Cypriot underground organization that fought against British colonial rule.
Kakopetria and Galata are in the Solea Valley (Σολέα) on the northern slope of Troodos. The wrong options in the 2026 question are Marathasa (Pedoulas, Kalopanagiotis), Pitsilia (Agros, Palaichori) and Tillyria (the northwest, Kato Pyrgos).
Visiting
It’s easiest by car: according to the community, about 55 km from both Nicosia and Limassol. The church of Saint Nicholas tis Stegis is about 2 km southwest of the village. According to UNESCO, entry to the painted churches is free, but check opening hours in advance.
Photos
Sources
- Κοινοτικό Συμβούλιο Κακοπετριάς — Ιστορία (altitude 667 m, the highest village of the Solea Valley, rivers, distances)
- Κοινοτικό Συμβούλιο Κακοπετριάς — Παλιά Κακοπετριά (protected area of the Department of Antiquities)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Painted Churches in the Troodos Region
- Κοινοτικό Συμβούλιο Κακοπετριάς — Κρησφύγετα ΕΟΚΑ
This text was written by AI from open sources. An expert will still check it. Found a mistake? Write to us. Support
