Platanistasa
Platanistasa is a village in the Nicosia province and it is situated about 50 km southwest of the homonymous capital of Cyprus, 43 km from Limassol, 80 km from Larnaca and 120 km from Paphos.
In the heart of Pitsilia, north of Troodos mountain range, is the small mountainous village of Platanistasa, located at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, climbing amphitheatrically up to the top of Madaris. The settlement is washed by the Serrachi river, creating a verdant ravine that is dressed in all the shades of green depending on the season.
The foundation of Platanistasa is ancient as is evidenced by the findings of pre-Christian graves and the remnants of ruined settlements that are connected with Greek history, while the linguistic idioms of the community’s inhabitants refer to the Homeric world. The present village was probably created by the union of three smaller settlements and in 1475 it was granted, along with other villages, to Tzortzo Kontarini, a count of Giafas, who was a relative of the Queen of Cyprus Aikaterini Kornaro.
Platanistasa means an area planted with many plane trees, a version that is probably consistent with the origin of the village’s name (platani is “plane tree” in Greek). On the other hand, the folk tradition refers to the “palati (palace)“, the country house of the Frankish nobles that were located in the area “Vasilias”, which gave its name to the village or because of the horseshoe shape of the village that looks like a “platanas”, that is, the metal they used to place on the soles of shoes.
Nowadays Platanistasa counts a few permanent residents, but many tourists from all over the world visit the resort every summer and winter, as they are fascinated by its natural environment and its cultural attractions. The paved vineyard-covered central square of the village is a focal point for every traveler who wishes to enjoy the panoramic view of the green valley of the protected hazelnut forest of the area, and many choose to walk the Natural trails that pass through the forest, strolling along stone bridges and finding peace under old pine trees. However, a walk in the village has also a lot more to show, as the visitor wanders over the scenic narrow alleys of the settlement, which stands out for its traditional architecture, ending in the historical monument of the Heroes of the Second World War. The Museum of Folk Art, Tradition and Heritage of Platanistasa, housed in the building of the old olive press, is another stop for those who want to become one with the tradition of the village and to travel through its history.
The 18th-century Archangel Michael’s church, decorated with built-in old dishes, Agios Ioannis the Theologian, the Panagia (Virgin Mary) Katafygiotisa that dominates the landscape from above, are some of the churches that you meet in Platanistasa. The enchanting Byzantine church of the Holy Cross of Agiasmati, a monument to UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage, with a multitude of 1494 frescoes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary, is the most important site of the area and is overwhelmed by thousands of visitors each year.
Finally, Platanistasa is a prime destination for agrotourism, it has a guesthouse, provides free WiFi to its guests, and is distinguished for its local delicacies that can be bought or even tasted in the cafeteria and the tavern of the community.