Filousa
Filousa in Cyprus is a village in the province of Paphos, situated 45 kilometers northeast of the homonymous town, 48 kilometers northwest of Limassol and 96 kilometers southwest of Nicosia.
Located at an altitude of 590 meters in the famous Diarizos valley, Filousa with the few inhabitants is one of the ampelochoria (vine-cultivating villages) of Cyprus and is located close to Pretori, Kedares and Agios Nicholas of Pafos. It is a beautiful stop before reaching the mountainous and famous communities of Troodos.
Historically, the village has existed since antiquity, as archaeological findings from excavations have revealed a Neolithic settlement in the area that the locals call the “old village”. This settlement, which is rare for that era due to the high altitude, is also indicated by the ancient drinking fountain that has been renovated by the Department of Forestry and is now providing water for the reservoir watering the surrounding fields. In the most recent history of the place, Filousa seems to have existed since the Middle Ages, as the letter of “Bernandis of Mariou” to the Venetian authorities in 1567 dates back to the Venetian era.
In the area of the Neolithic settlement, there was also the so-called “Digenis’ Ligri”, a huge boulder with which the legendary hero Dighenis Akritas played this traditional game. The ore has now been transported to the neighboring winery’s yard.
An important attraction in Filousa is the church of Agia Marina, a 12th century Byzantine building. The church has been restored by the Department of Antiquities and houses the copy of the most ancient Cypriot hagiography, the double-sided icon of Saint Marina and Saint George Kappadokis respectively (the authentic one is in the Byzantine Museum of Paphos). The picture is likely to have arrived in Cyprus from Asia Minor with the return of the Archbishop of Cyprus in 698 AD. The hagiography depicts Saint Marina standing and next to her there are scenes from her martyrdom, and on the other side, the riding Saint George is portrayed carrying someone on his horse while there is no dragon. Other ancient icons saved by the church are those of Christ of 1400, Virgin Mary of Philokiotissa of 1570 (the last one to be painted before the Ottoman rule) and the icon of St. Nicholas of 1528.
Another church in the community is the monastery of Agios Nikolaos, known in the area as “Agionikoloudin”.
Filousa is also known as Filousa Kelokedaron, to separate it from the settlement of Filousa Chrysochous.