Theletra

Theletra is situated about 23 kilometers north of Paphos in the homonymous province of Cyprus, about 85 kilometers northwest of Limassol and about 160 kilometers away from Nicosia.

Built on the top of a hill is the new settlement of the old village of Theletra, with the old community lying deserted beneath a canyon. The “Palia Theletra” (Old Theletra in Greek) as it is known in the tourist guides of Cyprus was abandoned because of a huge earthquake that caused a great landslide in 1980, and hence its inhabitants abandoned their homes and created a new, more mountainous base on a hill. Today, the village of “Nea Theletra” (New Theletra), for the locals, has about 250 permanent residents, who renovated their properties and gave new impetus to the area, creating tourist accommodation and cultivating the land.

Starting from the old drinking fountain of Theletra, above which runs a small waterfall during the winter season, the traveler ascends to the church that stands proud from 1755, the restored temple of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Chryseleousis, with its wood-carved iconostasis covered with dolphins, and from there to the chapel of St. Tryphon, until he sees a sign that leads him into the cave of the EOKA fighters with the dedicated monument. Along the way to the new settlement, the visitor also observes many renovated shops and cafes, while the journey back to time is completed by exploring the surrounding area in the old settlement of the village, full of wildflowers and memories.

Access to Theletra is easy via the main road from Polis Chrysochous, and is located after Giolou, and between the settlements of Strumbi and Kathika.