Palaichori Morphou
Palaichori Morphou is situated about 40 kilometers southwest of Nicosia in the homonymous province of Cyprus and it is located about 75 kilometers southeast of Larnaca, 40 kilometers from Limassol town and about 100 kilometers from Paphos.
Built amphitheatrically among the high mountains of the Troodos mountain range, the settlement is about 1000 meters high and is crossed by the Serrahi river. Being one of the largest villages of Pitsilia, in 2001 the locals decided by referendum to become two separate communities. Thus, following the stream flowing through the area, which is a branch of the Peristerona river, to the east of it is the Palaichori Orinis, while to the west stands Palaichori Morphou.
Historically, both Palaichori Orinis and Palaichori Morphou were created by residents of Nicosia and Morphou, who moved from their areas in order to protect themselves from Arab raids. The place, on the other hand, could accommodate many other settlements, so the locals spread the word: “Elate, o topos mas pale chori (Come on, our place can fit many)”, so the name “Palaichori” came from that phrase. Some, on the other hand, argue that simply over the years an old pagan name of the village has been replaced with today’s name.
Being one of the most interesting mountainous villages of the island, Palaichori Morphou retained its traditional character, and as it is packed with vines, fruit trees and verdant surroundings, and counting many years of history, it offers the visitor many cultural attractions. Here were born important fighters and Cypriot politicians such as Kyriakos Matsis, Michalakis Karalis, Nikos Georgiou and Polykarpos Georgakatzis.
As the name of the settlement reveals, Palaichori Morfou is a very old village (paleo chori in Greek means “old village”) with references to it in documents of the 13th century. The official founding of a village, however, dates back to Byzantine times. In 1297 the then king of Cyprus, Henry II, gave it to the Knights Templars of the Little Commandaria of the Templo (12th century). According to historian de la Matri, at the beginning of the 14th century, the settlement passes into the hands of the Knights of the Order of Saint John, while another source reports that it was a private feudal estate of the family of the Ivelines. In the 14th century, the village was divided almost as it is today (in two administrative centers), and the river Peristerona served as the boundary. The settlement
on its right bank belonged to the “territory of the Ipokomitia”, while the one at the left bank of the river belonged to the "Pentagia kontrada". At the beginning of the 20th century, the village of Palaichori Morphou was the seat of various administrative services, and due to its geographical location, the village actively participated in the liberation struggle against the English (1955-1959). The renovated estate of Polykarpou Giorkatzi (important politician of the area) is considered one of the most important places of interest in the village. However, in the community of Palaichori Morphou has many churches, as well as precious religious monuments. For example, the church of Agios Lukas (near the house of Gjorkatzi), which is built on the site of an older temple and features the episcopal throne and a wood carved gold-plated work of 1860. With its olive mill located in the courtyard of the temple and the stable of the Saint (southeast of the church), this is the first church to meet the visitor as he is entering the community. Going downhill, the visitor can also visit the small wooded church of Agios Georgios, dating back to the 16th or 17th century, standing beside a centenarian terebinth tree.
Activities in the area do not end there, as the site is suitable for mountain biking (in the direction of Apliki), and is full of naturalistic paths and nature trails leading to EOKA hideaways.
Palaichori Morphou has managed to keep its inhabitants (approximately 775 permanent residents), although after the proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus its population has declined significantly. As one of the best irrigated areas of the island (due to the Palaichori-Kambi dam), Palaichori Morphou has been extensively farmed and its inhabitants are mostly engaged in viticulture and Zivania’s (traditional local pomace brandy) production in the traditional way of distillation, as well as the cultivation of a special variety of beans. Moreover, both neighboring communities are famous for the production of potatoes and the tomato “pomylorka”, while the village also prides itself in its bakeries, as well as its smoked hams and sausages. Visitors can buy them from the shops of the settlement selling traditional and Cypriot products. Finally, the community has a rural medical center, a guesthouse, an agrotouristic lodge, a modern hotel, and many taverns and cafes. Palaiochori Morphou is located on the interchange between Nicosia-Limassol, on the border of the two cities, making it a good base for excursions to the surrounding villages of Pitsilia.