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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.
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