Mesogi
Mesogi in the province of Paphos is located 8 kilometers northeast of Paphos, 70 kilometers northwest of Limassol and 153 kilometers southwest of Nicosia.
A settlement built on a hill and at an altitude of 290 meters, with a panoramic view of the sea and on a land with relatively limited arable plots, vineyards and several carob trees, Mesogi, a large ampelochori (wine-producing village of Cyprus) of about 2,000 inhabitants, is growing significantly in recent years due to its proximity to the city of Paphos.
In the area there are developed industrial and commercial areas, poultry farms, cafes, shops, small industries, supermarkets and a strong construction activity in the south of the village. Many homes and villas are available for rent, ideal for those who wish to spend their holidays or stay permanently at a short distance from the city center of Paphos but in a quieter natural environment. The many taverns and restaurants that are scattered in the community offer guests a variety of local appetizers or cooked meals with homemade recipes, while the cafes are in privileged locations enjoying panoramic views of the area. The many communal facilities include, among others, a gas station, a mini-market, and a primary school attended by the children of the village.
For horse riding enthusiasts, Mesogi also has a horse ranch, which offers a walk in the nature of the area, riding on the lovely horses.
Also in the industrial area is a winery that cooperates with selected local winegrowers and produces a wide range of red wines (Shiraz, Maratheftiko, Lefkada, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) and white varieties (Xynestéri, Chardonnay, Semillon, Amalthia, Alkisti), but also rosé (Valentina).
Near Mesogi, at a distance of 7 kilometers to the east, there is the Timios Stavros Minthis Monastery located on the premises of the famous Minthis Hills Golf Resort, which covers an area of 2,000 square meters, has 18 holes and is ideal for beginners as well, as it offers lessons from golf coaches. The beautiful complex that combines sports with food, coffee on the terrace, a drink at the cocktail bar, and luxurious villas for those who want to stay in the area, is a great attraction for golf lovers and not only.
Historically, the village has existed since the times of the Venetian occupation, but there are also reports of findings, tombs and pre-Christian settlements in the north and east of the community. The name of Mesogi comes from the name “Mesaoria” (mesa means “inside, between” in Greek and ori are the mountains), since it is located in the middle of two mountains or in the middle of two other villages, the neighboring Tremithousa in the west and the Mesa Chorio of Paphos to the east.
The existence of groundwater is made evident by the underground water well system in the form of an aqueduct that exists in the area, which at the same time highlights the former agricultural character of the village. At one time, the inhabitants cultivated almonds, carobs, olive trees, citrus fruits, vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins), fruit trees and legumes.
A special place in the occupations of the locals once held the growing of hemp for the production of rope, which also contributed to the development of rope weaving and basketry. This handicraft flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the area, making Mesogi known not only in the region but throughout Cyprus as the island's “basket village”. Over the years, natural water sources have dried out and the reeds have declined, resulting in the abandonment of the cannabis plantations, and today basketry is revived to a limited extent, mainly as a part of the tradition of the Mesogia cultural heritage. This is why the Mesogia basket weaving festival is very successful.
The central church of Mesogi is the magnificent church of Agios Barnabas built in 2000 and is the first temple built in Paphos in honor of the founder of the Church of Cyprus. In the area of the village there are also the old churches of Panagia Eleousa or Chrysomesogiotissa located in the lower part of the village and the chapels of Faneromeni, Agii Konstantinos and Eleni (inside which is located a cave), Agia Marina and Agios Epifanios to the north. In the community there are 2 monuments dedicated to the heroes of the settlement, Dimitrakis Adamou and Michalakis Nikolaou, who fell during the struggle for the freedom of Cyprus.