Architecture and Religious Heritage
The character of Ineia through its chapels and architecture
Ineia preserves its unique character, reflected in the traditional architecture and the old Byzantine chapels that stand proud in time. Stone houses with courtyards, arches, wooden balconies and tiled roofs, reflect a village that honors its history. Small chapels maintain spiritual traditions and invite visitors to explore the local soul alongside architecture.
A trip to Ineia is a journey through thousands of years of history. The wider area of Akamas has been inhabited since the Neolithic or at least the Chalcolithic era, flourishing in Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine times.
The visitor will discover deserted chapels and forgotten monuments of a rich cultural heritage, along with examples of folk architecture made from the local limestone stone, an expression of authentic locality.
Chapels and Churches
Ineia’s historical chapels and churches hold a distinguished place on the village’s cultural map
Chapels of Agios Iakovos and Agios Agapios
The English author Gannis, in his book Historic Cyprus, 1936, mentions the medieval church of Agios Iakovos, with remains of frescoes, outside the village, with the chapel of Agios Agapios attached to it. Today, the inhabitants of the village refer to the same chapel as the chapel of Agios Iakovos and Jesus Christ, a name they have used for years. It is one of the only chapels in Cyprus from the 12th century, with the sanctuaries of two churches located next to each other and with visible remains of frescoes.
Chapel of Archangelos Michail
The chapel of Archangelos Michail in the center of the village was built in 1950 on the site of an older chapel, dedicated to Archangelos Michail. This chapel is also mentioned by the English author Gannis, in his book Historic Cyprus, 1936.
Its current construction is a donation of Mr. Charalambos S. Koutis, who originates from Ineia.
Church of Panagia Chryseleousa
The church of Panagia Chryseleousa is the main church of the community, built in 1883.
Church of Agia Marina
The chapel of Agia Marina is a medieval building of approximately the 16th century and has been restored.
According to Gannis, other chapels are those of Afentrika, Agioi Pateres, Panagia tou Vlou, Ai Giorkis, etc., the remains of which exist to this day. In fact, the toponym “Agioi Afentikoi” is recorded in the village, which indicates an old place of Christian worship.
Cultural Identity
Authentic architecture and tradition
Ineia’s cultural identity is reflected in historic fountains and the authentic architecture.
The two fountains of the village, are over 120 years and are described in the thematic route of Aphrodite: the small fountain of Vota, as the locals call it, whose water is not potable, and the stone-built fountain of “Esso Pigi” which impresses with its architecture. This fountain, which in the past provided water to the residents and their domestic animals (horses and oxen), as well as the old laundry room, have been preserved and at the same time the space has been renovated. This was the place where the women of the village would gather in large numbers, washing their clothes with the laundry detergent (prepared with ash), drying them on the dry stone walls to then carry them home with the water jug. An outdoor area made of local stone has been created around the fountain of Esso Pigi, which hosts various community events.
Despite modern infrastructure, Ineia has preserved its cultural identity. Traditional houses with two rooms, arches, volitsia, ovens in the courtyards and stone from the local land coexist with today’s buildings preserving the village’s soul and historical continuity.
Ineia is not merely a village with history; it is a living cultural landscape, respecting its past, honoring tradition, and moving toward the future with dignity.