LAMPIKKOS OF THE ZIVANIA

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The lampikkos or kazanin of the zivania was a form of installation of the Cypriote household used for the distillation of the celebrated alcoholic drink. The lower larger part of the distillery consisted of a bronze chartzi (cauldron), where the zivana (marc, refuse of grapes or other fruit that have been pressed for winemaking) along with water were placed and boiled to evaporation. The cauldron was sealed shut with a bronze, domed lid, pierced at the top-most part by a metallic tube that was in turn connected with a second tube, known as the loullas. The latter passed through a pithos filled with cold water. When the alcohol-rich zivana vapours passed through the loullas they liquefied anew. This liquid was the zivania, which dripped from the other edge of the loullas that protruded from the bottom part of the pithos.

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In several villages, the private distilleries were often communal and served the needs of numerous inhabitants.