Welcome to Ineia
A village bearing the imprint of time and nature
Discover the history, traditions and the unique landscape of Laona through the eyes of its people. Perched on the slopes of Akamas, Ineia stands proudly against time, embraced by the wild beauty of nature and the deep roots of tradition. Life here flows calmly: through the stone alleys, the village square with its traditional coffee shop (kafeneion), and the everyday smiles of its residents. In this place you will experience an authentic Cypriot village, feel the warmth of local hospitality and you discover the magic of nature.
Ineia through the footprints of time
From the depths of the centuries to the present day, Ineia keeps its identity alive with historical, folkloric and cultural treasures, legends and traditions.
A journey to Ineia is not merely a sightseeing experience; it is an exploration of thousands of years of history. The greater Akamas region has been inhabited since the Neolithic or at least the Chalcolithic Age, experiencing periods of population growth and socio-economic prosperity during the Hellenistic-Roman period as well as and the Byzantine Period.
Ineia has always been a predominantly agricultural, pastoral and vine-growing village. It is no coincidence that the Order of the Knights of Hospitaller St. John, who settled in the fertile plain of Kolossi during the Medieval times, included Ineia among the few villages of the Great Commandaria. Ineia was famous for the production of Commandaria wine, just like the other villages belonging to the Knights.
In medieval maps, as well as in several earlier maps, the settlement appears under the name Igna.
One theory suggests that the name of the village, during the period of the Knights, derived from the Latin vinum which means wine, or during the Byzantine period, from oinos, hence Oineia, the older recorded version of Ineia. Another oral tradition from the inhabitants of the village claims that the name originates from the word ynio, referring to the ploughshare that often suffered significant damage when ploughing the fields due to the quartz found in the local soil. Another, less likely explanation links to the name of a local feudal lord.
It is also not unlikely, if we consider that during the Byzantine Period the village had a similar name (perhaps, for example, a name derived from the word “inion” or a male name), which during the Frankish period was associated with the Latin vinum. The current name Ineia, is relatively recent.
With architectural remains, place names and traditions passed from one generation to the next, the village stands as a living witness to a past filled with of events and human stories.
From stone houses and narrow alleyways to the memories of the older residents, every corner of Ineia is a source of remembrance and a living archive of Cypriot rural life. Despite the presence of modern buildings, the Laona region has preserved its distinct character more than many other rural areas. Traditional houses remnants of the old, authentic local architecture with their two-room layouts, arches, volitzia, and courtyard ovens coexist harmoniously with contemporary buildings.
A Dominant Position on the Laona Plateau
The settlement of Ineia occupies a privileged location with panoramic views on the Laona plateau, sitting at an average altitude of around 620 m. Ineia is closely connected with Lara and its alluring beaches, which fall within its administrative boundaries, as well as with Akamas, since the village together with nearby communities, is part of the Akamas Peninsula, just a breath away from the Akamas Forest.
Visitors to Ineia will feel the magical pull of the plateau and the gentle sea breeze in the same setting. They can walk through the stone-paved alleys, among lush vineyards, orchards and woodland. They will discover unique geomorphological formations, admire the vernacular architecture crafted from local limestone, stay in traditional guesthouses and enjoy the region’s culinary heritage.
The geomorphology and geology of the area are rich and diverse, with a landscape carved by streams, hills, steep slopes and valleys, forming a natural mosaic of geological diversity.
Although the village is located along the ridge of the plateau and offers unobstructed views in many directions, one must climb to the highest point of the attractive conical hill northwest of the village, known as the Vouni of Ineia, to enjoy the limitless views of the surrounding region.
Even more impressive are the imposing quartz sandstone formations, such as Konnefti, Gerakoptera and many others. These geological formations create a significant habitat for birdlife and represent today one of the most important destinations for rock-climbing athletes or enthusiastic amateur climbers in Cyprus.