Rural Destinations
: Troodos : Regions
Pitsilia
The region east of Mount Olympos is known as Pitsilia, and includes some
40 villages. Picturesque valleys are criss-crossed with vineyards and
almond, hazelnut, walnut and other fruit trees. Pitsilia is known as the
orchard of Cyprus. A good time to visit is in the spring, when the
entire Valley is in flower.
Agros Village is situated in the heart
of the Pitsilia region in a beautiful valley, where wild roses grow in
the hills. The village includes a 19th Century monastery and is famed
for its production of traditional foods such as hiromeri (smoked
ham), loukanika (spicy smoked sausages) and lountza
(smoked fillet of pork). The Pitsilia sausage is well-known in Cyprus,
and has received the Presidium Award from the Slow Food Foundation.
The Church of Stavros tou Agiasmati is located
in Platanista Village. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the church
was build in the 15th Century, and has a near-complete cycle of wall
painting.
Palaiochori Village is mentioned in
records from the 13th Century, and it is believed that King Henry II
gave this village to the Knights Templars. The Church of Metamorfosis
tou Sotiros (Transfiguration of the Saviour) is a UNESCO World
Heritage site dating to the 16th Century. The Byzantine Heritage Museum
(tel. 22-643-012) is located in Palaiochori.
An traditional olive press is located in
Spilia Village. This is a single-room stone building with a 19th
Century olive press, stone olive mill and other equipment used at the
time.
The 12th Century Panagia tou Araka
Church is loca-ted in Lagoudera Village. This is a 12th Century
UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most important in Cyprus. It
includes frescoes of the late Comnenian style, dating to 1192. |
