Apesia
Apesia is a small village of the district of Limassol in Cyprus and is located 18 km north from Limassol, 85 km west of Larnaca, 74 km southwest of Nicosia and 84 km east of Paphos.
Built at an altitude of 490 meters in the valley between the rivers Garillis and Limnatis on the southern slopes of Troodos mountain, the village of Apesia has 480 inhabitants, in a very rocky landscape that is unsuitable for extensive cultivation. The area has some vines and carob trees, and small quantities of wheat crops, olive and almond trees. The village with its many stone houses and the dry climate, combined with the proximity to Limassol, has experienced a residential development with many new and luxurious houses built by both foreigners and Cypriots in the area.
The characteristic image of the village is the coexistence of the old and the new, but what the community is known for is the “Tremithos of Ai Giorkas”, as the locals call it, an ancient tree 1,500 years old, which is the first thing the visitor sees when entering the settlement. Actually, Tremithos is protected by the Forestry Department and is considered one of the oldest living specimens of the species Pistacia Atlantica worldwide and is included in the two hundred ancient trees of Cyprus.
Historically, Apesia was first inhabited in the Neolithic period on the basis of the findings of the excavations and its history continued all through the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the Byzantine period, the Frankish and Venetian rule.
The name of the village probably relates to Apessia (or Apessos) in Asia Minor, when residents came here from the homonymous region.
Visitors to Apesia can see, as mentioned above, the terebinth tree 1,500 years old, beside a small paved square. You can also enjoy a coffee in a traditional cafe or try the local delicacies and grilled dishes at the village tavern.
Wandering through the community gives visitors the opportunity to see the monument dedicated to the village hero, Euripides Nuros, admire the old primary school of the 1911 and next to it the water mill of the village and the local Apesia Museum where are exhibited archaeological findings from the local excavations that have been carried out from time to time in the village, such as old columns with Greek inscriptions.
Many travelers, particularly foreigners, come to the community to enjoy a safari on donkeys at the shelter located on the top of a hill. The shelter, except for donkeys, has also horses, chickens and goats and operates as a farm, offering moments of relaxation surrounded by nature, and giving the opportunity to young children to become acquainted with the likeable animals.
The churches of the village are Agios Georgios (St. George), a single aisled basilica, built of rough stone on the eastern end of the village towards Gerasa, as well as the large three aisled Byzantine church of Agia Zoni from the 1998. In the same area you will also find the community park.
Apesia became known to the international media, when in 2011 from a house in the village was stolen a painting of the famous French painter Edgar Degas, worth € 6 million.