In the western part of the central plain and approximately 22 km west of the capital city emerges Akaki, a community with natural beauty and several attractions.

While strolling along Akaki, it is certain that one will observe the harmonious coexistence of modern and traditional residences. What is more, visitors will encounter areas rich in natural beauty, including the well-known river, locations with age-long olive trees, cultivated land, as well as several other attractions, amongst them being old watermills, olive mills, fountains, the Tower of the Franks and stony bridges.

Naming and Historical Background

The naming of the village is linked, according to the Great Cyprus Encyclopedia, to the name of the first owner and settler in the area who was called Akakios. This was a very common name during the Byzantine times.  

Additionally, Karouzis* states that the village is marked on Venetian maps as Achaci and that, according to Mas Latrie, it is presented as a Frankish fief under the naming Acaqui, Achasi and Acachi. In fact, the latter mentions that the village used to be a royal estate and Machairas adds that Akaki was built by King Eric.  

Also interesting is the information which is retrieved from the writings of Voustrwnios and cited by Karouzis*, according to which in the year 1470, during which Cyprus was struck by the deadly plague, Voustrwnios transferred those who were healthy in Akaki. 

Equally interesting is the story cited by Karouzis* and which is linked to King Peter, who used to own a Mansion in Akaki. In particular, as Karouzis* mentions while citing Leontios Machairas, the Visconti (an official of the Frankish Occupation) Eric Giblet, master of Menoiko, had two children, Jacob and Maria. Giblet took two beautiful hunting dogs and gave them to one of his children, Jacob and for this reason King Peter and Giblet had a huge argument. In particular, when Giblet’s servant passed by the king’s mansion along with the two dogs, the son of King Peter asked to buy them offering a substantial amount of money. After finding out about it, the King wished to fulfil his son’s wish and asked for the dogs from the Visconti himself. However, the latter refused to sell them to him saying that he didn’t want to take them away from his son because he loved them very much and his refusal made the King furious. As a result, Giblet lost his position as Visconti and was forced to move to Pafos. Even so, the king’s fury did not subside after punishing Giblet so he went on to punish his children as well. This incident was the reason behind the hostility the noblemen showed towards king Peter that ended with his assassination. Amongst the assassins of king Peter was Giblet who, according to Karouzis*, “took revenge for all the family insults and abuse they had been through” (p.123).

Population and Occupations

The population of Akaki has been following an upward course. The table presents the course of the population numbers in Akaki from 1881 until 2001. Apart from the information presented on the table, it is worth mentioning that in 1960, with a total of 1511 residents, 1355 were Greek Cypriots and 156 Turkish Cypriots. Moreover, according to the Great Cyprus Encyclopedia, in 1976, two years after the Turkish invasion, 623 refugees settled in the village. 

As far as the residents’ occupations are concerned, they mostly deal with the cultivation of various species such as grains, vegetables, pulses, fruit bearing trees and live-stock breeding products. Apart from farming, live-stock breeding is also developed in Akaki, and mainly the breeding of sheep and cows. After all, this is evident by the number of stock-breeding units in the area. The remaining population work in the capital city of Nicosia.

Undoubtedly, the continuous population growth is also due to the improvement works that are effectuated in the Community, such as the operation of a primary school, a kindergarten and a gymnasium, the existence of a Regional Healthcare Centre, a Regional Vet Station, a post office, banks and various other shops.

Churches

At the village there are many churches. The main church of the village is dedicated to Panagia Chryseleousa. The rest of the churches are dedicated to Metamorphosis Soteros, to Archangel Michael, to Agia Varvara, to Apostle Pavlos (Paul), to Agios Demetrianos, to Agia Paraskevi and to Agios Georgios. More: Churches

Sources:

*Giorgos Karouzis, Strolling Around Cyprus, Nicosia, (City and District), Nicosia 2001
Georgios M. Manoloudes,  “Akaki – History and Tradition”, April 2001
Great Cyprus Encyclopedia, vol.10, Filokypros Publications, Nicosia 1987