Pomos
Pomos is situated about 55 kilometers northeast of Paphos in the homonymous province of Cyprus, and is about 110 kilometers away from the city of Nicosia (via the road blocks) and 120 kilometers northwest of Limassol.
After a route passing through steep slopes that immerse into beaches, there where the visitor reaches almost the end of the Greek side, Pomos is bordered by the Paphos forest and occupies a large part of the coastal region of Tillyria, distinguished for its wild beauty. Built at an average altitude of about 10 meters, next to the sea, southeast of the village rises the Hill Top with an altitude of about 600 meters (2.5 kilometers southeast), and Lorovounos with a height of 670 meters and about 5 kilometers away from the village. In the wider area, one can observe many uncultivated areas with pine trees and wild shrubs, although the new irrigation project Chrysochous, along with the stone-built dam over the Livadi river (3 kilometers southeast), have contributed to the cultivation of citrus trees, bananas, avocado, alomnd and olives trees. Also, the locals have managed to plant a few vegetables, and pistachios.
The heart of Pomos "beats" in the small harbor with the fishing boats, the famous cape of Pomos or the akron of Pomos, about 2 km north of the community, from which the settlement seems to get its name, and which has contributed to the development of fishing in the area. According to tradition, however, the settlement probably took its name from the paraphrasing of the word “vomos (meaning altar in Greek)”, since in the past there was a temple in honor of the goddess Aphrodite.
A symbol of the modern community of Pomos is a prehistoric sculpture dating back to 3000 BC. (Chalcolithic era), made of stone, which was previously found in the area, and is now exhibited in Nicosia, while it can be also found on the Cypriot coins of one and two euros. The sculpture represents one or two people (without sex) with their hands open in the shape of a cross, an object that used to be worn in ancient times as an amulet for fertility or good birth, and they used to wear it around the neck.
It is said that around Pomos there were ancient settlements, such as Kallinousa, which many scholars identify with the Cypriot city of Alexandria, but they did not develop much and thus were forgotten by history. Today in the village there is an archaeological site dating back to prehistoric times but it is not yet organized for the public. From this picturesque fishing village, St. Helena seems to have passed in the 4th century AD, which is confirmed by the homonymous settlement that existed in the area in the past. Another tradition also reports that there was a cave where a dragon lived, protecting the settlement from pirates’ looting and raids.
Combining the mountain and the sea, due to the fact that the coastline of the area is somewhat peculiar, the beach of Kanali Pomou that is located next to the fishing harbor of the community is ideal for summer sea dives. From Pomos, the visitor can easily reach up to the forest station of Stavros tis Psokas, as well as visit the Livadi picnic spot or walk along the valley of the area. In addition to the Museum of Natural History of Pomos, there are eight churches in the community, the old Monastery of Panagia Chrysopateritisa with the church of the same name, protected by the Department of Antiquities, the central church of Agios Evpsihios and the churches of Agia Thekla, Prophet Elias, Agia Katerina, Agios Georgios, Panagia Chryseleousa and Panagia Galatarkas. Every August, Pomos becomes the focus of two major music events, the Reggae Sunjam Festival and the Paradise Jazz Festival.
The route from Polis Chrysochous, or the neighboring village of Nea Dimmata Paphou up to the cape of Pomos, follows a road lined with steep green slopes and lacy beaches with hidden coves, perhaps one of Cyprus’ most favorite seaside road trip.
Being one of the largely undiscovered villages of the island and one of the quietest destinations on on Cyprus, Pomos is gradually gaining more tourist activity, as the region now counts several restaurants, hotels and a famous sandwich place with an amazing view. Finally, the municipality has been twinned with the municipality of Sfakia of Crete.