Delikipos

Beautiful garden or the garden of Deli?

Delikipos is a beautiful little village in the Larnaka province. According to the 2011 census, Delikipos numbered only 23 residents.
Photo: Σταυρου Σταυρος

The name of the village:
About how the village got its name, there are several versions. According to a first version and the Great Cypriot Encyclopedia, it was named after the first owner of the area, who was called Delis. Hence, from the phrase "the garden(kipos) of Delis", the name of the village appears.

A second and most prevalent version indicates that the village's name is a compound word consisting of the Italian word "bella" meaning "beautiful", and the Greek word "Kipos" meaning "garden", concluding that the name of the village means "a beautiful garden".
 Photo: Gavriel Karapatakis

Historical data:
According to Florios Voustronios, in the middle of the 15th century, namely in 1461, it was a feud.

The village of Delikipos refers to Venetian charts as well as to the Lemonida manuscript.

In Medieval maps, according to the Great Cypriot Encyclopedia, the village is marked as "Dilichiper".
Photo: Yiannis Kypri‎

Church:
Walking in Delikipos, you will see impressive religious buildings such as the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior (Chrysosothoros), which dominates the centre of the village, built in 1726. It is worth mentioning that the church of the Transfiguration of the Savior (Chrysosotieros) was recently renovated by the Department of Antiquities.
Photo: Prodromos Charalambous

Population:
According to the 2001 census, Delikipos had only 8 inhabitants, one third of the population numbered in the early 1980s, while according to the 2011 census, Delikipos numbered only 23 inhabitants.

Crops:
In Delikipos, cereals, olives and carob trees are grown, as well as many prunes in the settlement. Since ancient times, olive cultivation has been an important agricultural work for the inhabitants of Delikipos since they have been engaged in cultivation for years.
Photo: Prodromos Charalambous

For the map of the area, click HERE