Giolou

Giolou is situated about 20 kilometers north of Paphos in the homonymous province of Cyprus, and 170 kilometers west of Nicosia, and about 85 kilometers far from Limassol.

At an altitude of about 300 meters from the sea, the settlement of Giolou is connected to the southwest and north to the main road that leads to Polis Chrysochous and Latsi, which in fact led to the identification of its name with the Turkish Cypriot word “yiol” (wich means road) and later with the wind god, Aeolus. The most prevalent version for the origins of its name, however, mentions the name of the feudal owner who had the village in his possession during the Byzantium era or during the period of the Frankish rule.

Giolou is one of the villages of the island of Cyprus with a long, rich history, and there are references to it on old maps and in ancient texts as Ghiolou and lolu. It is said that the community in the 14th century was owned by the Montoliv family, while at other times it was one of the royal estates of the Lusignan-Venetian period, and more specifically it belonged to the Count de Roussia, into whose ownership belonged the villages of Polis Chrysochous.

Historically, the Giolou community was marked by the tragic massacres of 1821 and the conditions prevailing during the Ottoman occupation, for example when the sultan Abdul Metzith ordered all its inhabitants to be brought to trial, accusing them of murder, until the French consul intervened, and the whole event was tucked away as one of Cyprus’s internal affairs.

Being one of the few villages in Paphos that managed to “defeat” urbanization, the population of Giolou has increased in recent years, a fact which is attributed by the locals themselves to the fertile environment where the vineyards and citrus trees flourish, but also to the close distance of the community to the big cities of the island. In fact, all the organized community groups are constantly carrying out all kinds of events in order to keep the tradition of the place alive, “awakening” the citizens of the region.

The main attraction of Giolou is Panagia (Virgin Mary) Chryseleousa, of 1978, which stands out impressively in the heart of the community and which is famous for its wood-carved iconostasis with the Byzantine icons created by the well-known hagiographer Kallinikos. Other sights of the area include the churches of Agios Georgios, Agios Markos, which are said to have visited the community in the past, Agia Irini, Agios Arkadios, the newly discovered Agios Nipios which is one of the oldest temples in the area, and of Prophet Ilias.

In Giolou there is also the Museum of Folk Tradition of Giolou, as well as a traditional flour mill, which continues to serve the nearby villages of the area and remains open for visitors or even for use by the general public even when its owner is absent. In addition, there are many other ecclesiastical monuments scattered around the settlement, such as the Monastery of Agion Anargyroi Milies in the homonymous village.

Finally, in Giolou there is a an agrotouristic lodging, cafes, one of which offers a view all the way to the bay of Polis Chrysochous, as well as two traditional taverns, a bank and a supermarket with local products such as halloumi (local traditional cheese) and zivania (type of local pomace brandy).