Mesana
Mesana is a small village in the province of Paphos, situated 40 km northeast of the homonymous city, 54 km northwest of Limassol and 104 km southwest of Nicosia.
Built at an altitude of 560 meters and on a steep hillside with wild vegetation of “latzies”, terebinths, thyme and pine trees, Mesana with the approximately 30 inhabitants belongs to the ampelochoria (vine-cultivating villages of Cyprus) and the 24 wine villages of the Paphos province. In addition to the traditional wine produced in the region, as well as the zivania, the palouzes (traditional sweet jelly made out of wine) and the soutzoukos (traditional Cypriot sweet made out of grapes) produced by the locals for their own consumption, they also cultivate grains, almonds, citrus trees, legumes and olive trees that thrive here. The community is accessible from the Paphos-Troodos road and can be a nice break for a walk around before the visitor continues on his way to the mountainous villages of the impressive mountainous complex of the island.
Mesana was established after the Middle Ages (since they do not appear on any map of that time), although some claim that the Monastery of Saint George of Komanon, a 15th century building, suggests the existence of a settlement in the area. The name of the village comes from its geographical location, as it was identified with the place name “Mesiana” (meaning in the middle or between), as it is located between the villages Salamiou and Arminou. A second version speaks of the name coming from the city of Methana in the Peloponnese.
The picturesque settlement consists of stone-built houses nestled among its winding streets, while the small tributaries of the Diarizos river cross the village, offering a respite from the heat and a wonderful view to those who will come to this central point of the province. At the westernmost point of the community and after ascending the mountain, there are 4 centuries-old oaks, while at its entrance are the apostolic olive trees, proof of the coming of the apostles who passed from theregion (Apostles Barnabas, Markos, Pavlos and Tychikos). 500 meters outside the village and at its southern edge, the visitor can find the beautiful Perneri excursion area with picnic facilities and small playground and just before the Monastery of Agios Georgios Komanon, the visitor will come upon the river Lialiona and a fountain from which flows drinking water.
Besides the enchanting nature surrounding the community, the visitor to Mesana will have the chance to admire important and historic churches in the area, a beautiful picturesque café in the village square where he can enjoy his coffee, the cultural center and a beautiful traditional guesthouse offering comfortable and luxurious accommodation.
The main church of the settlement is next to the old elementary school and is dedicated to Saint Tychikos, a local saint who lived here. The temple, a Gothic style building with an impressive wood carved iconostasis, was built in the early 20th century, specifically in 1910, on the ruins of an older church. The church is the only one dedicated to this saint in Cyprus, while the saint, St. Paul’s disciple and bishop of Paphos, is celebrated on December 8th. In the community there is also the chapel of Agia Eirini, the chapel of Agios Georgios and to the east the deserted Agios Georgios Komanon Monastery built in the 15th century and whose temple has been restored by the Department of Antiquities.
In close proximity to the settlement and more specifically in Salamiou, there is also the Monastery of Panagia Salamiotissa, and from its original buildings, only the temple dating back to the 16th century is preserved, while at 12.5 km southwest of Mesana, there is Panagia of Sindi, one of the most original examples of monastic architecture in Cyprus that is on the UNESCO Protection List. The Panagia of Sindi today constitutes an open museum and archaeological site with great historical and archaeological value.