Sanida Limassol (Lemesou)
Sanida Limassol is a village in the Limassol district of Cyprus, located about 30 kilometers northeast of the homonymous capital, 100 kilometers from Paphos, 70 kilometers from Larnaca and 85 kilometers from Nicosia.
The small, semi-mountainous village of Sanida Limassol, built on the southeastern side of Troodos and at an altitude of 700 meters, faces towards the sea and is crossed by two tributaries. The village extends into a plain, bordering the villages of Asgata, Pyrgos Limassol, Kellaki and to the north, the villages of Klonari and Vikla. The approximately 40 permanent residents of the village cultivate citrus fruits, olives, almonds, carobs and many fruits, but the largest area of the settlement (which is part of the Limassol state forest) remains uncultivated and is full of terebinths and mushrooms. The current location of the village is a subsequent one, since its first inhabitants moved there after a major epidemic.
During the Frankish rule, Sanida Limassol had been owned by Italian Knights who were based in Kolossi and settled there and in other nearby areas in order to control the production of Commandaria (famous local wine), making the settlement into one of their military observatories.
The origins of the name, Sanida Limassol, are unknown, although many claim it to be a paraphrase of the “As I saw” (san ida in Greek) of the Italian soldiers to their commander. However, popular tradition wants residents of the settlement to build planks (sanida in Greek) for the kneading and transportation of bread, as well as many of them were engaged in logging, thus providing other communities with their products.
Today, the settlement of Sanida Limassol keeps to a large extent elements of traditional stone architecture. The visitor can see and do much in the village, starting from the main church of the settlement, built in 1840 and dedicated to the Metamorphosi tou Sotira (Metamorphosis of the Savior) and only operating on big festivals. The visitor can also stand in the shadow of the towering eucalyptus that was planted in 1942, which is located in the central square (opposite the hunting club) and why not, talk to the hospitable locals.