Apsiou

The village of Apsiou in the district of Limassol in Cyprus is located 17 km north from Limassol, 80 km west of Larnaca, 73 km southwest of Nicosia and 85 km east of Paphos.

Built at an altitude of 410 meters above the Garyllis River and in the heart of the small peaks of Troodos, the verdant Apsiou village of the 200 inhabitants belongs to the koumantarochoria (wine-producing villages) and is surrounded by orchards, vineyards, olive and carob trees, and dense wild vegetation. What made it particularly known in the past is a unique natural phenomenon, according to the scientists, which is still evident by the galleries of the quarry. The area has a huge variety of rock formations not found elsewhere on the island, something that challenges geologists to explain the specificity of the local soil. In the village used to operate pyrite and chalcopyrite mines, as well as a tile and brick production quarry, while there was also a laboratory for rock analysis, known locally as the “chimio (laboratory)” of the village. The first quarry was located at the site “Koutsagkochoma” and later, in Apsiou operated also two other quarries at the sites “Maroussa” and “Kau”. All have now been closed, being now part of the modern past.

Regarding the name of the village there are two versions, the first caiming that the village got its name from the first miners who worked here and had come from Naxos (Naxos, Axioti, Apsiotes), while the second version refers to residents from Apesia who moved to the area and renamed the community (Apesia, Apesiou, Apsiou). The area was one of the villages of the Order of the Knights of the Great Commandaria, which was established in Kolossi.

In the village, most houses are built of stones, although they are not generally based on the same architectural style, as there are houses with the traditional grapevine at their entrance, while other houses have a high surrounding wall and an interior courtyard. The village is divided into upper and lower, with the first located on the hill top, while the lower neighborhood is located on the hillside.

At the center of the lower village, there is the main church of Apsiou, Agios Epiphanios (St. Epiphanius) with a millstone in the courtyard, reminiscent of the existence of one of the two olive mills in the area. A little further north and in a small square, there is a traditional stone drinking fountain and the community’s Heroes Monument. Just outside the village you will find the stone, single aisled chapel of Panagia Chrysogalousas or Galaktousas of the 18th century (1700-1711) with the icon that dates back to the 15th century.

For those who love nature, from the village begins the one kilometer long “Monopati tis Vaftisis (path of Baptism)”. In the community there is also another path, which leads to a cave with stalactites, where the icon of Virgin Mary Chrysogalousas was found. Just outside the cave, there is a rock where you will also find the holy water of Virgin Mary. On one side of the rock, a woman’s breasts appears to be formed, from which comes sour milk (from where the chapel of Virgin Mary got its name). According to locals, however overflowing the river might be, its flow is never mixed with the holy water.

Located 2 km to the east of Apsiou is the Monastery of Panagia Amirou, built on the southeast slope of Mount Kakomallis, offering breathtaking views.

In Apsiou visitors can choose to stay in the renovated houses that offer a comfortable stay or eat special delicacies in the village taverns.

The community is twinned with Argyroupolis in Rethymno, Crete.