Fall in love with Pedoulas

 

A rich natural environment and cultural heritage, 

in addition to its cherries, make this mountain 

village an ideal place to appreciate rural 

Cyprus life says PAUL LAMBIS

The island of Cyprus is synonymous with love. 

And while some are drawn to the stories of the 

island’s major cities, there are many Cypriot 

villages that have their own inspirational 

narratives that can be summed up in one word: love.

Travelling around the island, some of the most 

picturesque villages will be encountered, each 

with a distinct atmosphere, where people live to 

the fullest. Cyprus unquestionably arouses the 

senses and is undoubtedly the place to fall in love.

That is how I felt when I visited Pedoulas, 

located on the northern flanks of the 

Troodos mountains in the heart of the 

Marathasa Valley. I felt an instant connection 

to the place; it felt familiar, welcoming, and enchanted.

The village is a treasure trove of natural scenery 

and is an ideal year-round destination for nature lovers, 

mountaineers, or those who simply want to get away 

from the commotion of Cyprus’ larger cities.

“Pedoulas, inhabited since Byzantine times, boasts 

an ancient history, when Arab raids forced Cypriots 

to flee the coastal areas and seek refuge in the 

mountains,” president of the Nicosia Tourism 

Board Theodoros Kringou said.

Pedoulas was a royal estate during the Frankish

 and Venetian periods, and it later became a 

pioneering tourism destination due to its excellent 

climate and diverse landscapes. “Visitors in the 

19th century were accommodated in local traditional 

houses, but hotel tourism began to develop 

around the turn of the 20th century.

“In the 1950s, Pedoulas’ economy flourished, 

and it became the cultural and commercial centre 

of the 14 villages that comprise the Marathasa 

Valley,” Kringou added.

The church of the Archangel Michael is one of the 

most important attractions in Pedoulas. Dating 

back to 1474, it is one of ten sacred sites on 

Unesco’s World Heritage List and is considered 

one of the most important Byzantine churches 

in Cyprus. “Its walls are covered with superb, 

well-preserved frescoes in the local post-Byzantine 

style that developed prior to Venetian rule,” Kringou said.

“Located opposite the church, Pedoulas’ Byzantine 

Museum houses and preserves the icons and 

holy relics that were taken from the village’s Byzantine chapels.”

The overpowering 25m cross that stands tall 

on the south side of the Timios Stavros Chapel 

is one of the most impressive landmarks in the area. 

The structure dominates the landscape of 

Pedoulas and can be seen from afar.

Visitors who want to learn more about the area 

and its rich history should visit the Pedoulas 

Folkloric Museum, which provides an insight into 

the community’s social and economic development. 

“In addition to the traditional art and local farming 

tools on display, the museum features the interior of a 

typical traditional Cypriot house with authentic furniture, 

household items, and local costumes,” Kringou said. 

“All of the items in the museum’s collection, 

along with weaving, which is another important 

part of the region’s identity, have shaped 

the village’s historical and cultural heritage.”

The area is a natural haven, especially in the winter 

when Pedoulas is often blanketed in snow. 

As such the village is a year-round open-air 

nature museum, which is in close proximity to 

the forest that surrounds it. “There is an abundant 

supply of water from natural springs that is 

potable,” Kringou told the Cyprus Mail. “It is 

regarded as one of the best drinking waters on the island.”

There are various cycling routes and nature trails 

in the area that allow visitors to explore its 

abundant flora and fauna, hidden chapels, stone-built fountains, 

and a famous five-century-old cedar tree. 

“There is also an environmental centre, which 

offers seminars on the village’s abundant 

plant life and wildlife.”

However, Pedoulas is perhaps best known 

for its cherries. For centuries, these scarlet fruits 

have delighted cherry lovers’ palates, and every 

June the residents of Pedoulas host a festival that 

includes a jam-packed schedule of activities 

including cooking demonstrations, marketplaces 

with traditional products and walks among cherry 

orchards. Cherry trees grow on the slopes of 

Troodos, where the climate is favourable, and the region 

primarily cultivates two varieties: the purple black 

‘petrokerasa’ and the pinkish white ‘French’.

From its natural environment to its rich, historical heritage, 

the charming village of Pedoulas makes perfect 

sense for exploring rural Cyprus, its traditions, 

architecture, religious sites, gastronomy, and, 

most importantly, its traditional warm Cypriot 

hospitality; more than enough reasons to fall in love.