Miliou
Miliou is situated about 25 kilometers north of Paphos in the homonymous province of Cyprus, 90 kilometers northwest of Limassol and 170 kilometers southwest of Nicosia.
The total area of Miliou is about 3 km and this picturesque settlement extends in an orange grove in the area of Laona (between Akamas and Polis Chrysochous). Surrounded by pine trees, orange trees and mountain ranges, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountain villages of the free Cyprus and one of the smaller settlements of the island, with about 60 permanent residents, and with many young people to have returned there due to the crisis. To this day, the main occupation of the locals is the cultivation of citrus trees and grapes, while many of them go to work in the cities. The community is constantly being developed and upgraded, up to the point that an American giant corporation has announced it will build there two strategic centers for its operations. Most tourists are totally unaware of its existence, but Miliou is situated a few minutes to the west of the city of Paphos and borders with the communities of Giolou and Lukrunu.
In the old times, when they wanted to welcome someone in the village, they said “Welcome to the chrisomiliou (golden apple)”, since there were many apple trees in the area, and the fact that the village name is spelled with an “i” is indicative of the origins of the name of Milia. On the other hand, however, it is also said that in the past there were many watermills (neromili in Greek) along the river Nerades with its many small crabs, which has now been transformed into a small brook that every winter flows through and gives life to the valley of the village.
Arriving in Miliou the visitor will learn that from the community passed in the 17th century AD. the Saints Anargyroi, and in their honor the locals built a small chapel. The former Monastery of Agioi Anargyroi Miliou, today can be found in the atrium of a large agrotourist accommodation (2 kilometers from the settlement). In the area there is also another historic temple, the Monastery of Agios Fotios of Miliou.
At the square of Miliou there are two traditional taverns and a cafeteria, while the old school of the community has become a modern cultural center. Traveling in this unspoilt side of the Cypriot countryside, the visitor will see an old drinking fountain and an old reservoir, the olive mill, while in the wider region there is a large hotel unit offering spa services, taking full advantage of the springs of the region’s thermal waters, as well as several stone-built villas.
Miliou is a tranquil place, ideal for excursions in the nature, and bird watching, as there are countless nightingales in this village. In addition, the newly designed Anerades Nature Trail is another way for the visitor to get acquainted with the richness of the Cypriot countryside. Finally, from the nature to the kitchen, since the village of Miliou is probably one of the only communities of the island that still produces traditional palouzes (sweet jelly made from grape juice) and soutzoukos (traditional local sweets made out of grapes) with honey, and more specifically with the white-honey (lemon and thyme honey), as well as petimezi or epsima (grape molasses) and carob honey. In the last years in Miliou is also organized the homonymous festival of honey.