National Forest Athalassa

The National Forest Athalassa is located about 5 kilometers southeast of Nicosia in the homonymous province of Cyprus, close to the capital’s hospital and the university’s campus.

With a total area of 84000 square kilometers it is the largest forest of Cyprus. Part of it is in the buffer zone while the area of the forest was declared a National Forest Park in 1990 after a period of uncontrollable residential development. The administration and management of the park belongs to the Forest Department, while it is in the forest region of Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta. Located in a key geographic area of the island it encloses in its borders the developing areas of Aglantzia, Strovolos (to the west) and the village Geri (to the southeast).

It is speculated that the name came to be because it used to be under the sea which is the reason why there are many shells in the forest. In the past it was a private barren place filled with shrubs but in 1904 it was bought by the colonial government in order to build a mansion. Few months later though the Forest Department intervened and planted many trees in the area. Today it is a source of leisure and oxygen for the locals and the visitors of the Cyprus’ capital. Moreover it is also a center of education as it hosts the Center of Environmental Information Athalassa, an outdoor amphitheater, the agricultural museum and a plant nursery. There is also a picnic area, the lake of the St. Georgios dam with fishing facilities, a bird observatory, while one can observe the beekeepers collecting honey, cycle or hike one of the many paths of the park. Additionally there are courts of many sports, a designated area for military exercises while hunting is strictly forbidden. In many parts of the park, visitors can find fountains with drinking water, and benches to rest.

The National Forest Athalassa has plenty of underground waters, relatively smooth terrain and it consists of geological formations of the Troodos mountain range, some of which were formed during the Cenozoic era. Throughout the area, there are growing more than 300 trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, of which “natural” species are found only in the area around the two fences, while the rich fauna of the park counts about 173 species of birds, 27 species of butterflies 7 species of mammals, 6 species of reptiles, as well as an amphibian. Significant contribution to the development of the park has always been the standard planting of trees by schools and organized groups during the tree festival, organized by the competent bodies of the park. During the last 20 years the park hosts a botanical garden where more than 200 exotic and native species of trees and bushes are hosted, a pine clone bank and the “park of the nations”, where foreign prime ministers traditionally plant a tree every time they visit the capital of the island. Furthermore, it houses the Artillery Training Center. Finally in the same spot where the British created the first animal farm nowadays there are bred domestic animals which can be visited by walking the pedestrian zone and reading the information signs for the biology and importance of these animals.

Entrance to the National Forest Athalassa is free except the educational halls and the museum where 1 euro is charged as well as free parking.

National Forest Athalassa

Adress: Aglantzia , Nicosia

Cyprus

Zip Code: 2115

Tel.: +35722403704 , +35722805533

Website: http://www.athalassapark.eu/