Lysos
Lysos is located 40 kilometers northeast of Paphos in the homonymous province of Cyprus, and about 90 kilometers northwest of Limassol and about 180 kilometers away from Nicosia.
Being the largest in size of the village of Cyprus, Lysos covers an area of approximately 10000 acres in the province of Paphos. Built at an average altitude of 560 meters, the peak of Tripylos, located near the location Stavros tis Psokas, is considered to be the highest point of the settlement (1,362 meters), which borders eastwards with Nicosia. Most of the village’s area is covered by the Paphos forest, an important biotope of wild and endemic birds, while the wider area is crossed by many Nature Trails.
The residents of Lysos, about 200 people today because of the many foreigners who have built their homes there, are engaged in beekeeping, cultivate vines, fruit trees, olives, carob and citrus trees, legumes, grains and a few vegetables, although most of the village’s area is unexploited and is surrounded by pines, cedar and other trees. Finally, the area has a mild summer and a bitter winter. In the olden times, the women of the village also practised textile weaving, as well as making the famous maksiles (a type of salted fig).
The name of this mountainous village is linked to ancient Greek history and refers to Lisos or Lissos, an older settlement, which was famous for its Asclepiio (ancient healing place) on the island of Crete. The locals, on the other hand, believe that the name Lysos comes from the verb “lio” (which means “melt”), since the area in the past, due to the water and the copper-bearing layer of its soil, served as a metal melting plant.
Lysos was loved and inhabited by many ancient Greeks, a fact confirmed by the geometric vases, carved tombs, and many other finds that were excavated in the surrounding area. During the national struggles of Cyprus, the community played an important role in the organization of groups of rebels, while in the liberation struggle of EOKA around the settlement there were several shelters for the people of the organization. There, the hero and poet Evagoras Pallikaridis was arrested. These locations, well known to tourists as EOKAs hideouts, are found at a distance of about 3 km from the village and towards the location Stavros tis Psokas, being one of the main cultural and historical sights of this community of Paphos.
Maintaining its authenticity through the years, Lysos is a quiet, picturesque and at the same time traditional destination for every alternative visitor. By entering the community, the visitor encounters the preserved building of the elementary school within walking distance of the forestry station of the community, which administratively belongs to Stavros tis Psokas, while continuing the walk, the visitor will be taken to the premises of the community council, as well as to the cultural center of the village, and from there to the heart of the community, where he can relax in one of the traditional cafes or visit the Franco-Byzantine church of Panagia Chryseleoussis with the Gothic architectural characteristics and the old fresco of the Virgin Mary of Kykkos, as well as the five stone drinking fountains of the village. Outside the village there is the chapel of Prophet Elias, while a small road – to the right of the drinking fountain, leads to the small chapel of Agios Georgios (13th century). However, no one leaves the village without stopping at the EOKA fighter’s memorial, the Memorial of Evagoras Pallikaridis, which stands at the “Prosevhi” site, the precise location where the fighter was arrested by the British, and from there one can ascend to the strawberry tree (the tree of the year for 2007), and of course the “EOKA hideouts”, from where the panoramic view is astonishing.
The ecclesiastical monuments of Lysos do not stop with Panagia Chryseleousa – around the settlement are also found the temples of Agios Konstantinos and Eleni, the cave and the holy water spring of Agios Charalambos, of Archangel Michael and of Agios Merkourios with the homonymous excursion area. In addition, the village has a library, a community park, restaurants and taverns, traditionally restored houses for rent, an agrotouristic house and a hotel. Finally, the “World Wide Village” program gives volunteers from all over the world the opportunity to experience Cypriot nature and tradition, helping village residents in rural and cultural events in exchange for accommodation and food.
Lysos is easily accessible and it is connected by road to Polis Chrysochous, to the village of Pelathousa and through the camp of Stavros tis Psokas with the Monastery of Kykkos and the villages of Troodos.