The Hero of Gerasa village, Limassol

The Hero of Gerasa village

It was our first time passing by Gerasa village in Limassol.

Not having the luxury of time, we went just for a quick look to get a view of the village.

As we passed the small bridge to enter the village grounds, the first thing we noticed was the monument of the local hero Sava Savas.

Savas Sava was one of the many young Cypriots who died during the Turkish invasion in 1974. He died at the age of 20 in Nicosia, close to the old Nicosia airport.

We got the feeling there are more things to see at Gerasa so we will definitely spend more time at our next visit.

A visit at Sykopetra village, Limassol

A visit at Sykopetra village

It was a long time since I have been in Sykopetra. Actually I was just a kid the last time my parents took me at Sykopetra. My grandmother was born there but it never came to my mind to revisit the village and find more about my roots.

We took the road from Nicosia towards Palaichori village and then turned left following the signs. Just 11 kilometres distance, but it took a lot of time to reach the village, as the road has too many turns.

As we entered the village I was surprised to see that although small in size, people either build new houses or renovate their existing ones. With just about 50 permanent residents, old in age we have to say, Sykopetra is still alive mainly due to the younger generations that come back specially in the summer time.

For me it was a chance to visit and get to know for the first time my grandmother's sister!

Needless to say that I will be visiting Sykopetra more often now.

Mothers Monument at Palaichori village, Pitsilia Area, Nicosia

Cypriot Mothers Monument at Palaichori village 

Palaichori is one of the biggest villages of Pitsilia area. It was on our route that day as we were heading to visit new places in the area.

Our visit was brief but fruitful. Just as we entered the village we saw the sign directing us to visit the Cypriot Mothers monument!

Found on the top of a peak, we had to follow the approximately 140 steps to get there! On the top we found the monument, but also on the wall just beside the statute, the faces of three local heroes engraved on metal plaque.

The faces of Michalakis Karaolis, Kyriakos Matsis and Nicos Georgiou are looking  towards the statute as if  they are representing the children of the Cypriot Mother.

If you happen to be in the area, we recommend a visit to the monument. You will also have the chance to have a nice view of the village from above.

Church of "Agios Antonios" at Kedares village, Pafos

Church of "Agios Antonios" at Kedares village 

Just as we were leaving Kedares village in Pafos we noticed a very small Church.

It is dedicated to Saint Anthony and it was built around 1949.

Story says that there was a village near by, called Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony), that was hit by a deadly disease many decades ago.

Almost all population was killed and the few that survived had to move from the village. So they went near by and formed the village of Kedares.

The Church of Saint Anthony was built later on, in memory of their old village.

A Watermill at Pera Pedi village, Limassol

A Watermill at Pera Pedi

It was lunch time and we decided to spend the midday at Pera Pedi village before we continue our journey.

Leaving our car in the communal parking area, the first thing we noticed was the old watermill!

Not something you see every day, although you can still find a few around Cyprus, the watermill was well preserved.

It was renovated just in 2001 by the community to maintain and show one of the important components of its history and development.

The river running through the mountains is no longer going through the pipe and into to the watermill, but it flows on the side.

The stairs on the left side of the main building lead you on the upper side where you can enjoy also a nice view of the village.

For a visit inside all you have to do is ask for the keys from the local authorities.

Saint Peter and Paul Church in Potamistissa village, Pitsilia area, Limassol

Saint Peter and Paul Church in Potamistissa 

A sign is always a challenge for us especially if we do not know where it leads.

Leaving Potamistissa village to reach Agros, we saw a sign indicating that a small Church was nearby, of Saint Peter and Paul.

Having never been there before we decided to visit the Church.

The country road was narrow, full of stones and we headed down in the valley, which made our overall effort difficult but exciting at the same time.

Finally we reached the small Church dedicated to Saint Peter and Paul. Unfortunately for us it was locked and we could not enter, but it was beautiful and based on the standards of the older Churches of the area.

The Church normally operates on the name-day of Peter and Paul and for special occasions upon request.

A Panoramic view from Saitas, Limassol

A Panoramic view from Saitas

After a long day visitng the mountains in Limassol we started heading back to Nicosia. We had just left the monastery of "Timiou Prodromou" (John the Baptist) in "Mesa Potamos".

Our route was to go from the mountains near Saitas village, to Pelendri village and end up in Agios Theodoros for a coffee.

In our way back we reached the peak of the mountain and had a quick stop to look at the view. It was our first time in the area and we were so pleased we choosed that way to go back. The view towards Limassol was amazing!

The clouds were so near us, like we were on the same level. The valley was just beaneth us and the mountain peaks were so beautiful. Neadless to say that despite the sunny waether it was cool up there!

Looking at the pictures we had just taken, we noticed that a small black cloud had craeted a "cross like" shape inside the big white cloud in the middle!

Simply amazing!

A river below Papoutsa mountains, Pitsilia area, Nicosia

A river below Papoutsa mountains

When visiting Agros village or Agios Theodoros in Pitsilia area, we usually take the route from Nicosia towards Papoutsa mountains.

It is the easiest route to reach many of the villages in Pitsilia area, including Palaichori.

We took that same route as we were heading towards Agros village that day. The only thing different was that we decided to have a closer look at what those mountains had to offer.

Just before we reached Agros village we had a stop on the side of the road. We detected a path leading towards the heart of the mountain.

Following that path, we found ourselves in front of a small river in the shade of the trees above us. It was a nice surprise to see water in the river, because usually in the summer time rivers like this one have no water. Later on we found that the area around is called "Kolympoi" which means small lakes!

This was our first finding on the Papoutsa mountains and we can't wait to explore more of what they have to offer!

I "Vrysi tou Kaourou", Agros village, Pitsilia area, Limassol

I "Vrysi tou Kaourou"

Agros village in Pitsilia area is definitely one of the most important villages to visit in Cyprus for too many reasons.

One of the main attractions of the village is the water-source  "Vrysi tou Kaourou" (Kaourou=Crab).

The water-source, dating back in 1909, was the main source of water in the village for decades. In 1938 it was reconstructed in its today form.

The water is always cold and fresh as it comes from a major spring within the mountains. My great grand father who lived there most of his life, used to put his head underneath the water summer or winter to wake up!

Legend has it that single women that drink water from this place, will get married to a man whose origins are from Agros!

I do not know if that is true, but none the less, it still remains a must visit place if you are passing by Agros village!

A place of Propomacrus Cypriacus at the mountains of Pafos

A place of Propomacrus Cypriacus (The Cyprus beetle)

Little did we know when we visited the medieval bridge of "Tzielefos" in Pafos that we were going to find a so rare species.

Propomacrus Cypriacus belongs in the family of beetles! This rare species is found only in Cyprus and as we later learned in was only discovered 11 years ago!

Now, a protected species, since it is not found anywhere else but in Cyprus, the ministry of Agriculture has put signs to warn people of its existence and to be careful not to destroy its natural environment.

So if you happen to be travelling in the area be careful to observe the Cyprus beetle!

Saranti village-old supermarket

Saranti village-old supermarket

Some things we come across when visiting small villages like Saranti, seem like time has paused!

So is the old supermarket of the village. Closed for decades, the old supermarket used to be an important component of the village when the population was at its peak.

Now it stands there like an old monument from another time. On the walls one can still see inscriptions dating back to the early days of the Cyprus republic. Furthermore old signs of soft drinks are visible as well as another sign indicating that the supermarket was the place where people collected their mail.

Perhaps, one day, when people return for good to Saranti, the supermarket will re-open again gaining back its importance!

Fighter of Democracy, Dinos Pavlou, Dora village, Pafos

Fighter of Democracy 

Dora village was our next stop in our effort to reach Archimandrita village that day.

We had just left Trozena and we were very excited to know that we were on the right track to our final destination.

One of the first things one can notice once entering Dora, is a statute of a local young man holding his gun. His name, Dinos Pavlou.

Dinos Pavlou died in 1974, on the day of the coup d'etat in Cyprus, fighting for democracy. Unfortunately for Cyprus the coup was successful and soon after the Turkish invasion followed.

Soon after we left Dora and continued our journey, but we felt there are more things to see, so we will soon return....

Church of "Saint George Tropeoforos" at Agios Theodoros,Pitsilia area, Limassol

Church of "Saint George Tropeoforos" at Agios Theodoros,Pitsilia area

I do not know if there is a village with more Churches than Agios Theodoros in Pitsilia.

Build around seven hills, the village had seven Churches! Nowadays only three can be of use and most of the others have been destroyed totally.

The most recent is the Church of "Saint George Tropeoforos"constructed in 1840. Despite its recent construction, inside the Church, one can admire a Gospel estimated around 1550 A.C.!

Church of Saint Nicholas Symfylos near Alona village, Pitsilia area, Nicosia

Church of Saint Nicholas Symfylos near Alona village

Going from Mitsero village towards Leivadia that day we saw this small Church on our right.

On a closer look we saw it was the Church of Saint Nicholas and that it was constructed by the people of Alona village.

That was a bit strange, as other villages are much closer to that location than Alona.

We found out though that there used to be an ancient Church there which was destroyed by unknown causes.
So the authorities of Alona village took the initiative to sponsor its reconstruction.

The reconstruction ended in 2008 and it maintained the old style of the Church that is very familiar in the area of Pitsilia and Troodos.

For a visit inside the Church someone has to ask for the key from Alona.

Valley of Hazels, Saranti village, Pitsilia area, Nicosia

Valley of Hazels at Saranti village

Hazelnuts are very well known for various reasons throughout the world. This applies in Cyprus too.

There are though few places where you can find hazel valleys in Cyprus. One of them is in Saranti village.

Visiting Saranti as often as we do, is a way to enjoy the best a place can give all year round.

If you happen to be there when the hazelnuts are ready to eat, then all you have to do is collect them from the trees! You see there are so many trees and very few people to collect them.

A famous Cypriot way to enjoy hazelnuts is with honey topping.

The Monastery of Saint Panteleimon Acheras, Agrokipia, Nicosia

The Monastery of Saint Panteleimon Acheras

Our expeditions form Nicosia towards the mountains of Pitsilia are always exciting.

One of our preferred routes is going form Agrokipia and Mitsero village towards the mountains.

Although we have passed many times from Agrokipia it was the first time we visited the Monastery of Saint Panteleimon of Achera.

Saint Panteleimon is known for curing the sick and has performed many miracles. The name Acheras comes from the name of the valley which expands beneath the monastery which located in a hill like a fortress.

Our visit there was very pleasant and we had the chance not only to see the monastery in which nuns take care of, but also a nice view of the valley towards Nicosia.