There are two derivations for the name of Lemona, the village where tekni art is located. The first is that it was named after Joanna D’Allemagne, the mistress of Peter I, who ruled Cyprus at the end of the 14th century. Some villagers think that her palace lies buried under the tekni art site
According to legend, when Peter went to tour Europe to raise money for a crusade, his jealous wife Eleanor imprisoned his pregnant mistress Joanna in a nunnery. When Peter returned, he released Joanna and his wife, struck with remorse, built a church on a hill near Lemona, carrying every stone herself. The little church is still standing and is one of the landmarks of the area. Another legend says that Lemona is the place where the Archangel Michael destroyed the devil and his hosts with a bolt of lightning. He is said to have made a magic girdle from their bones and placed it in the church adjoining the tekni art site. The girdle is still in the church and is said to grant the wish of whoever puts it on.
Not far from Lemona is an ancient rock-cut tomb which, according to local legend, was where St George speared his dragon. A hole in the roof of the tomb is pointed out as the very spot where St George’s lance entered the cave and impaled the dragon.
