Agios Theodoros Soleas

Agios Theodoros Soleas is a village in the Nicosia province and it is situated 58 kilometerssouthwest of Nicosia, 59 kilometers north of Limassol, 95 kilometers northwest of Larnaca and 102 kilometers northeast of Paphos.

Built amphitheatrically at an altitude of 440 meters on the outskirts of Troodos mountains and near the shores of the small river Atsa, Agios Theodoros Soleas of the approximately 100 inhabitants is a green village belonging to the homonymous geographical region. A traditional settlement near Evrychou, the main village of the area, it offers tranquility and relaxation among the lush greenery and the forest of Falakro.

The name of the village comes from the homonymous church of Agios Theodoros the Stratilatis, located in the middle of the fields, and as a settlement it has been inhabited since ancient times. The findings of the archaeological excavation brought to light on the hill where the old school is located, a statuette of the God Eros (God of Love), which can be found in the Archaeological Museum of Cyprus, as well as the “Chalkokolympous”, proved that here took place the extraction and processing of copper (Chalkokolympoi is a region with reservoirs, in which the precious metal was first processed). According to tradition, there was an altar dedicated to the father of the gods in the “Moutti of Dkia” (the top of Zeus), while the name Solea refers to the ancient kingdom of Solon, whose outermost border was this small community.

Agios Theodoros Soleas was inhabited in Byzantine times, and according to the tradition, “Rotsos tou Morou”, a huge rock in the Katholiki Mountains, was the cave where the locals found shelter during the many raids of the Saracens, from the 7th century and onwards. In the most recent history of the place, around the village there are ruins of pastoral settlements that were dissolved in the early 20th century, when the British government banned pastures in state forests.

The central church of the community, Agios Theodoros Stratilatis, is situated to the west and on the banks of a tributary, dating back to the end of the 18th century. The stone-built temple with its wooden roof and the high bell tower, is adorned with the icon of the Saint, who celebrates on February 8th, when a multitude of visitors from all parts of Cyprus gathers in the village.

Other sights in Agios Theodoros Soleas are the bridge that connects the two banks of the river and the eastern part of the village with the west, as well as the historic “Krya Vryssi”, a drinking fountain at the bottom of a steep cliff and beneath the old settlement. Until 1950, it was the only source of water for people and animals, and today it is a place of rest for the village visitors.

The Nature Trail Panagia of Asinou-Agios Theodoros Soleas offers many beautiful landscapes and views to the hikers that will follow it. The route is straight and begins at the homonymous church, ending in the village, and it can be done in reverse.