Ergates
The village of Ergates is located about 25 kilometers southwest of Nicosia in the homonymous province of Cyprus and it is situated 55 kilometers from Larnaca, 85 kilometers from Limassol and 170 kilometers from Paphos.
Built at an average altitude of 350 meters on the west (left) bank of the Pedieou river and in the Mesaoria region, the Ergates’ settlement has made the most of its geographical location. So, there are now grain crops, vegetables, legumes, some olive and fruit trees.
Ergates has had the same name since the time of the Frankish rule (Argates). Being one of the communities of Tamassou, the village seems to have taken its name from the workers who worked in the copper mines of the ancient kingdom (ergatis in Greek means “worker”). The abundant river water beside the small hills, which protected the settlement from any floods, made the location ideal for habitation.
The village seems to have been founded during the Roman period (Early Christian years), when the mines of ancient Tamassou were still in operation. Today, Ergates is twinned with the Municipality of Krousson (Kilkis Prefecture), and they are the 13th largest community in Nicosia, with its permanent residents exceeding 2000. Most of the locals work in the capital and suburbs, while others work in the industrial area of the community, where about 70 factories currently operate, or are engaged in agriculture and livestock farming. The proximity of the village to Nicosia, as well as the good road network, allowed for the development of the area.
In Ergates the visitor will see two churches. One is dedicated to Saint Paraskevi, a building of 1973, and the other to Apostle Thomas. In addition, there is a small, circular lake and at its middle there is a tiny, verdant island. The creator of this impressive pond is the river that crosses the village, Pediaios river, while around its waters one can observe dozens of birds depending on the season. In the settlement there are also some sites that are associated with various legends, such as the point of “Tis koris to vouni”, and “Korakas”, which testifies to the existence of a settlement on the site 30 years ago. Although there is no accommodation available in the village, one can eat or relax in one of the community taverns.
The Ergates’ settlement also has a primary school (while in the past, the children that wanted to learn, had to go to the Agios Irakleidios Monastery in Politiko, Nicosia) and a kindergarten and a children’s club to help families with children.
Finally, Ergates is situated between the villages of Nicosia Psimolofos and Episkopio, while in the north it is connected with the community of Anagia and through it with the capital of the island.