Xylofagou facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Xylofagou
Greek: Ξυλοφάγου
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Agios Georgios church
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 Xylofagou
Location in Cyprus
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| Country |  Cyprus |
| District | Larnaca District |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 6,231 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | EEST |
Xylofagou (Greek: Ξυλοφάγου) is a village in the Larnaca District of Cyprus. It is located near the A3 highway. The village sits between Paralimni and the British military base called Dhekelia.
Contents
About Xylofagou Village
The name Xylofagou means "wood eaters." The village is built on the northern side of a hill. It is part of a group of villages known as the Kokkinochoria.
The Red Villages
Kokkinochoria means "red villages" in Greek. This name comes from the special red soil found here. This soil is very rich in nutrients. It is perfect for growing vegetables.
Famous Potatoes
The most famous crop grown in the red soil is potatoes. These potatoes are very popular all over Cyprus. They are a big part of the local community.
History and Interesting Discoveries
Xylofagou has a long history. Many interesting things have been found here.
Ancient Elephants
Scientists have found fossils of dwarf elephants in Xylofagou. These are the oldest known dwarf elephant fossils in Cyprus. They belong to a species called Palaeoloxodon xylophagou. These fossils are about 200,000 years old.
Medieval Watchtower
The village is also home to an old Venetian watchtower. This tower was built a long time ago. It was used to watch for enemies.
Cave of the 40 Martyrs
Near Xylofagou, there is a place called the Cave of the 40 Martyrs. This cave is important historically. Christian soldiers hid there in the 16th century. They chose to sacrifice their lives to avoid being captured.
The Big Potato Statue
In 2021, something unique was built in Xylofagou. A huge 16-foot-tall statue of a potato was put up. It is made of fibreglass.
Why a Potato Statue?
This statue is nicknamed the "Big Potato". It was built to celebrate the role of potatoes in the village. Potatoes have helped the community grow and thrive.
See also
In Spanish: Xylofagu para niños
