Frenaros
Frenaros Village
Frenaros takes its name from the Lusignan monks known as Fremenors. These monks lived in the nearby monastery of Panayia of Hortanion. Cypriot author Nearchos Klerides explains this origin in his book Villages and Cities of Cyprus.
In 1468, the monks could no longer support themselves. They turned to King Jacob, the Lusignan King of Cyprus, who offered them financial help.
Frenaros is home to several historic Byzantine churches. Two of them—Agios Andronikos and Archangelos Michael—date back to the 12th century. The church of Ayia Marina also features interesting frescoes.
Archangelos Michael Chruch
Located in the village center, Archangel Michael Church is a 12th-century, single-aisle, cross-in-square church with a dome. The fresco of Archangel Gabriel on the north arch helps date the building.
During the Frankish period, the church underwent additions. A semicircular arch in the west became a narthex and a vaulted entrance hall. An inscription on the north wall confirms the church served as a Catholic place of worship during that era.
In 1873, builders opened a new entrance and made additional structural changes. They used curved sandy stone (porolithos) and lime mud. The dome and roof remain tileless and coated in lime plaster (kourasanit).
Stonework specialists likely built the church, given the high-quality masonry.
In 1969, a new Archangel Michael Church was constructed nearby. It accommodates up to 250 people. Inside, visitors can see a 14th-century Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary of Saydanaya—known in Cyprus as Panagia of Hunting.
Three donors are depicted at the bottom of the icon. They likely commissioned the work after experiencing a miracle during a pilgrimage to the famous Saydanaya Monastery in Syria, visited by both Christians and Muslims.
Fotis Pittas Statue & Museum
The Fotis Pittas Memorial stands at the village center. It was unveiled on February 26, 1961, by the Cypriot Organization of Greek Teachers (POED) and the Frenaros community.
A small museum near the statue displays the hero’s personal items—letters, clothes, and teaching tools.
Fotis Pittas was born in Frenaros on February 28, 1935. He was the third of six children. Although he couldn’t enter the Evelpidon Military Academy due to a clerical error, he became a teacher after graduating from Morphou Teaching College (1953–1955).
While still a student, he joined the EOKA liberation struggle against British colonial rule. Fotis lead guerrilla operations in the Achna area, where he also taught.
In 1956, someone betrayed him to the British. He left teaching and went into hiding. British forces arrested him in 1957 and detained him at Kokkinotrimithia and Pyla. He later escaped with three fellow fighters.
On August 30, 1958, British troops surrounded a barn in Liopetri where the hero and three comrades-heroes were hiding. After refusing to surrender, they exited and died in one of EOKA’s most heroic battles.
His funeral was held the next day in Frenaros.
Agios Andronikos Church
Agios Andronikos Church sits about three kilometers east of the village. It’s a small 12th-century chapel (5.51 m × 3.65 m) built in the cross-in-square style with a dome.
Constructed with coarse sandy stone, its fine masonry adds elegance. The dome, with four small windows, gives a sense of openness and ascent.
Though mostly in ruins today, traces of frescoes remain. Inside the dome was a rare depiction—the Ascension of Christ instead of the usual Christ Pantokrator. The Virgin appeared on the arch below. A rectangular narthex on the west was added later.
Panagia
Asprovouniotissa Church
Located about five kilometers southwest of Frenaros, this single-aisle, barrel-vaulted church is simple and striking.
Two arches support the barrel vault. The walls combine square-cut corner stones with rougher local stones. The higher narthex vault shows it was added later.
Frescoes still exist. The Crucifixion appears on the west wall, similar to the one in Agios Andronikos. The Dormition of the Virgin Mary is visible on the south wall. Saint Paraskevi is shown on the east wall of the narthex.
Experts date the church to the late 15th or early 16th century.
1974 War Dead
& Missing People Memorial
Frenaros honors the victims of the 1974 Turkish invasion with a memorial next to the Community Hall.
It lists those killed or missing in action:
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Demetris Vrakas
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Kyriakos Kamilaris
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Loukas Tsolakis
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Yiannakis Tziovanis
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Nikos Ttofis
This monument stands as a reminder of their sacrifice.
Watermelons
Thanks to fertile soil, Frenaros is famous for its watermelons. The village is one of Cyprus’s top producers of high-quality melons.
If you visit in summer, don’t miss the juicy local watermelon, as well as watermelon sweets and ice cream.
July is the best time to come. The Watermelon Festival offers fresh fruit, ice cream, cocktails, and traditional food. It’s also a chance to mingle with locals at a truly unique event.
Cyprus Traditional
Cheese Halloumi
Frenaros produces a distinct variety of Cyprus’s beloved halloumi cheese. Made mostly from sheep’s milk, it stands out for its yellowish color, buttery aroma, and rich flavor.
Many families still make halloumi at home using traditional tools. The process begins by heating milk in a copper pot (chartzin) and adding pithkia (a natural coagulant). Once the milk curdles, they place it in a wicker basket (talari) to drain.
They cut the cheese into blocks and boil it in its own whey (noros). When the blocks float, they’re ready. They’re then salted and sprinkled with mint.
The leftover whey is boiled again to make anari, a soft, light cheese.
Halloumi is delicious fresh, fried, or grilled. It pairs especially well with watermelon. Try it in Frenaros during the summer—you won’t regret it.
Potato Harvest
Frenaros is also known for its high-quality potatoes. The region’s red soil helps the crop thrive.
Farmers grow potatoes in two main seasons. They plant the spring crop between December and February. Harvesting happens from April to early June.