Construction of The EOKA Hideouts
The Limeria was a four-part hideout den: the headquarters, the warehouse, a galley, and an observatory. They are located on the ridge that overlooks the village of Kourdali. The headquarters of EOKA was located here for a while. The leader lived in the main hideout.
Chief George Grivas Digenis ordered the hideouts to be built in the area, where the fighters could resort to at any time when their presence in the villages would be difficult. Following the recognition of the mountains of the area, the ridge on Kourdali was chosen. The fresh water spring, which was 300 metres below the ridge, was also a decisive factor in the decision to build the hideouts in the area.
The location chosen for the construction of the Lemeria was ideal. Access from the enemy was difficult because there was no road in the area. It was offered for defense, especially from the village of Spilia, but also for safe escape to Kakopetria or Asinou. The Lemeria hideouts were constructed in the summer of 1955 by residents of Spilia-Kourdali and Kyperounda under the direction of the District Chief of Staff, Renos Kyriakidis.
Lemeria hosted EOKA leader General George Griva Digeni and 18 other rebels from 23/11/1955 to 11/12/1955.
Today the hideouts have been repaired by the Department of Forests, which has created a network of trails in the area, with explanatory and directional signs and benches. This makes it easier to visit the Limeria. In addition, a forest road leads up to the ridge above Digenis headquarters. The visit of the Limeria Hideouts takes about two hours.
Location
Monuments
Markos Drakou Monument
Markos Drakos was born in Lefka in 1932 and studied at the Samuel School. He was one of the first called to fight in the National Organization of Cypriot Fighters (EOKA), which fought against British colonialism. On the 1st of April, 1955, the official
Monument of the 256 Infantry Battalion
The 256 Infantry Battalion had its headquarters, after the invasion, in Evrychou. National guards from all corners of Cyprus served it and played a decisive role in the main fronts of the battles. On August 6, and while the truce was agreed, the men of
O Mylos tis Gonias (The Corner Mill)
The abundant waters of Kakopetria, Karkotis and Garillis, gave the necessity for the construction of watermills. O Mylos tis Gonias was one of them. It was built above the main road, on the left bank of the river Agios Nikolaos – a tributary of the Kar
Pafitena’s Olive Mill
The traditional Pafitena’s Olive Mill is located in the centre of Spilia village. It was built in the last century, as evidenced by its press, which is engraved with the date of 1894. It belonged to Katerina Koutsoloizi (Pafitena) from Spilia, wife of
