Skarinou combines stone village architecture with religious heritage and seasonal trips to the Golden Donkeys Farm. The Agios Georgios Chapel preserves a 19th-century icon; at the farm, donkeys, cheese-making and farm products are part of the visit. Skarinou therefore offers both local history and a hands-on experience of rural life. When planning your trip, consider the period when the farm’s seasonal offering is available and check the visiting arrangements for the Environmental Information Centre in advance.
Village Layout and Stone Heritage
Skarinou lies on the slopes of hills; stone houses and narrow lanes shape the village. In the traditional village centre stands the Old Fountain (PalĂa VrĂ˝si), a stone-built monument and an important part of the area’s history and architectural heritage. The fountain is a tangible point of reference if you are interested in the built character and history of the place. It adds a specific item of cultural heritage, rooted in Skarinou’s history, to the wider picture of the village.
The Agios Georgios Chapel and Its Feast Days
The Agios Georgios Chapel is located among the homes in Skarinou. The 19th-century icon dedicated to the saint is still preserved inside in a special icon case beside the iconostasis. Services are held there twice a year: on the Monday of Renewal Week after Easter and on 23 April, the feast day of Saint George. On both occasions, the holy icon is carried in a procession. The preserved icon and the two services make the chapel’s religious history tangible through specific details and dates.
Seasonal Trips to the Golden Donkeys Farm
Organised trips to the Golden Donkeys Farm in Skarinou are offered for all age groups from April to October. They include a farm tour and the opportunity to interact with donkeys. Visitors can also see how traditional Cypriot cheese and halloumi are made, and sample farm products such as donkey milk and organic olive oil. The trip therefore includes both encounters with the animals and insights into production and farm products. The offering is seasonal; check current booking availability before your trip.
Places to Visit in the Village and Surrounding Area
The Environmental Information Centre of Larnaka Mountainous Area is located in Skarinou. The centre features exhibitions, a library, handicrafts and a laboratory with microscopes. It brings together several themes under one roof. Check the current visitor arrangements locally before visiting.
Outside the village, in the area around Skarinou, lies the Park of Cypriot Nature. It has a kiosk with drinking water, as well as swings and seesaws for children. These facilities make the park a separate option in the surrounding area, apart from the village’s cultural and historical attractions. Check the condition of the facilities before visiting.
Further Traces of Local History
The Old English Fountain (PalĂa AnglikĂ VrĂ˝si) is a place of historical interest that preserves evidence of local history and cultural memory. Together with the Old Fountain (PalĂa VrĂ˝si), it offers a glimpse of two named fountains with different roles: the stone-built PalĂa VrĂ˝si stands as a monument in the traditional village centre, while the PalĂa AnglikĂ VrĂ˝si is associated with local history and memory.
Skarinou is also associated with the largest piece of Lefkaritiko embroidery; it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
Discover more destinations: Vavla, Kellia, Odou, Kiti, Maroni, Chirokitia, Pyla, Alethriko.
For the broader travel overview: Larnaca.
