Akrotiri Lemesou
Akrotiri Lemesou is a village in the southernmost part of Cyprus and is located 17 km south of Limassol, 85 km west of Larnaca, 101 km southwest of Nicosia and 69 km southeast of Paphos.
Located next to the Alyki Akrotiriou (Limassol Salt Lake) which is one of the most important wetlands in the eastern Mediterranean, Akrotiri Lemesou is an area of exceptional beauty, with contrasting elements composing its character. Between the idyllic beach Kourion to the west and the unique beach Lady’s Mile in the east, Akrotiri with the breathtaking colors of wild vegetation or the crops of citrus trees, wheat, vetch and olive trees, or the thousands of migratory birds from the nearby lake that adorn the landscape, is an exuberant natural setting with pluralistic images that make up the scenery of the area.
The village is an ideal destination all year round since in the summer it is a perfect choice for those who want to enjoy the sea at its beautiful beaches, while in winter there are plenty photographers or scientists who arrive here to see and study the flamingos, herons, cormorants and other birds from the special bird observatories or learn more at the Center for Environmental Education Akrotiriou. Near the wetland there is a communal farming area, known as “merras” in which cows and oxen are raised, and on the coast you will find a fishing shelter.
Another characteristic fact about Akrotiri Lemesou is that a big part of it belongs to the military bases of the United Kingdom, being essentially British territory, as it was ratified by the independence of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. In 2003 in the area, two giant antennas were erected as part of the espionage network of the Middle East. Today, many local residents work at the British bases, where administrative and military personnel reside with their families.
Historically Akrotiri Lemesou has been inhabited since ancient times, which is shown by the archaeological findings in 1989. Aetokremmos location is the first location in Cyprus that was inhabited by people of the pro-Neolithic era, who were hunters and gatherers and hunted dwarf hippos 75 cm high, dwarf elephants and other animals. Apart from the bones tools and jewelry of the same period have also been found. The site continued to be inhabited later, during the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times, which is confirmed by its 1,500 carved tombs and a significant religious edifice of the early Byzantine period.
Visitors to Akrotiri Lemesou can dine in the many restaurants, pizzerias and snack bars in the area or to drink coffee in one of the many cafes.
The community also has religious sites, the most important perhaps being Agios Nikolaos ton Gaton (St. Nicholas of the Cats), a female convent of the 4th century which tradition connects with St. Helena and the cats she brought to Cyprus in order to exterminate the millions of snakes that were plaguing the area. The chapel of Agios Georgios (St. George) from the 17th century is one kilometer southwest of the village and constitutes a basilica, built with stone. The stone church of the Timios Stavros (Holy Cross) of the 1920 is located in the heart of the village and belongs to the architectural style of one-aisled barrel-vaulted basilica with a dome. The remains of the stone chapel of Agios Dimitrianos (St. Dimitrianos) and Panagia Galaktotrophousa (Virgin Mary Galaktotrophousa) are buildings of the 12th century.
In Akrotiri Lemesou there are many basketry workshops, as many villagers were mainly occupied in this art. Today, the Centre of Environmental Education Akrotiriou contributes to the conservation of this art by organizing special courses and visits to the basket makers.