Pachna
Pachna is a village in the Limassol district of Cyprus, located about 35 kilometers west of the homonymous capital city, over 100 km from Larnaca, 115 km from Nicosia, and almost 50 km from Paphos.
Between two tributaries and on the foothills of the Troodos Mountains at an altitude of 700 meters is found the Pachna, – at the same time being at close distance from the sea). Its name comes from the early Pachna settlement (where the village center is located today) which was situated among four hills and looked like a manger, hence also the Venetians called it padena from the word patena or patina, which means manger or frost. On the other hand, the ancient Greek word pachni from the verb pignymi, indicates the dew formed on cold nights and mornings as it is seen on the leaves of plants, something that can be seen all the time in this settlement.
The location of the village seems to be inhabited since the Geometric period (8th-7th century BC), and it is said that the first of the settlements was destroyed after a major epidemic in 1692 AD, and was part of a Frankish royal estate. Today the village has expanded westward over one of the hills that embrace it, and it so divided into Kato (Lower) and Pano (Upper) Pachna. In the past it was the fourth largest population in the Limassol district, and today has about 800 permanent residents, though it is still regarded as one of the most important wine villages. The locals are mainly engaged in viticulture (the area is the second largest arable area of Limassol) and animal husbandry. Indeed the village of Pachna is famous for its dairy products, and in mid- August there takes place the local grape festival. There, of course, take place also the feast of palouze (type of grape juice jelly) of Pachna and the celebration of the Pachna shepherd that tries to highlight the traditional pastoral life of Cyprus.
In the heart of Pachna visitors can find several restored houses, that retain an unparalleled traditional architecture and mingle nicely with newly built houses. Around the village there are many churches (the Twelve Apostles, St. Andronicus) and chapels, including the Chapel of St. Stephen, which dates back to the 15th century and is perhaps the oldest church on the island, but also an eminent ecclesiastical monument of the village. In this region, have also survived two large boulders associated with various religious legends. The church of Agia Marina is situated on the mountain and around it was found a lot of ancient pottery which confirm the importance of this wine village from ancient times, and there can also be found the Saint’s miraculous holy water. The main temples of the village is Agios Georgios (St. George) built at the top of the settlement with the Monument to the Fallen of the community, and the parish church of Agios Petros kai Pavlos (St. Peter and Paul) is filled with ancient frescoes, while the church of the Panagia i Katholiki is standing beside it. All temples can be visited by prior arrangement with the council, and outside of the village one can also see the remains of some chapels, one of them dedicated to Agios Georgios (Saint George) with the miraculous image of the saint, as well as St. Theodore and St. Epifanios. Moreover, in Pachna operates a primary school that hosts students from neighboring villages, a kindergarten, as well as a police and fire station and a small regional medical center.
In the wider area of Pachna there are many rural roads that have been designated as nature trails with the remains of wells and old water mills, while in addition, the visitor can find in the old primary school of the village a small archaeological museum exhibiting old farm tools, three restaurants that are open daily, cafes in the square, as well as the youth center café, a guesthouse, and sometimes several houses for rent. You certainly cannot leave Pachna without getting yourself some local wine (black or Xynisteri) from the wineries of the community or without buying cheese and sweet preserves.
Finally, near Pachna you will encounter the settlements Agios Amvrosios Lemesou (6 kilometers) and Anogyra (7 kilometers away).