Troodos
Troodos is the mountainous backbone of Cyprus and is a cluster of mountains that occupies 2/3 of the island (the central and southwestern part), including the extent of 4 out of 6 provinces. The lands belong geographically in provinces of Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca.
It is the crossroad of three roads (which is how the name came to be) that connect the mountain with Nicossia, Limassol and Prodromos and it is the ultimate excursion choice for the whole year. Thousands of visitors, Cypriots and foreigners alike, visit Troodos in order to enjoy the beautiful natural attractions it offers (Botanical Garden Troodos, Geopark Troodos, Bridge Tzelefos, Millomeri Waterfalls etc), admire the unique flora and fauna of the forests, hike one of the 50 designated footpaths with a total length of 233 kilometers, visit picturesque villages with traditional architecture, visit the local museums of the villages or the ten churches which are declared UNESCO’s heritage as well as the ancient monasteries that survived the passing of time. It is not an accident that Troodos is amongst the top ten emerging rural tourist destinations in Europe according to forum <<European Destinations of Excellence>> in Lisbon in 2007.
The beautiful landscapes are dressed white in winter and this offers the opportunity for winter tourism development. The tallest peak of the island, Chionistra at an altitude of 1961 meters above sea level, has the only ski center of Cyprus and all the necessary infrastructure like agrotourism, motels, luxurious hotels as well as cafes, traditional tavernas and restaurants that offer local culinary specialties and carry the tradition of Troodos. Above the altitude of 650 meters snowfalls last for about a month, above 900 meters they last two months while the peak, Chionistra, is covered in snow for 6 months. After spring visitors flock on the mountain in order to escape the noisy cities and relax in nature, ride their bicycles in the forest, fish in one of the dam lakes or enjoy the panoramic view to the island. During summer when temperature reaches and exceeds 40 C, Troodos is a refreshing breath and having a meal in the tavernas under the trees is a popular choice. Many communities organize festivals to show and promote local products which attract many people like the Rose Festival, Festival of Palouzes Arsos and many more.
The cultural heritage of Troodos is reflected by the many churches, especially those protected by UNESCO for the frescoes that cover the interior and are unique samples of Byzantine art. In the UNESCO catalog are St. Nicholaos of Stegi in Kakopetria, Mary of Arakas in Lagoudera, Mary of Asini in Nikitari, Mary of Podithi in Galata, Mary of Moutoullas, Archangel Michael Pedoula,
Holy Cross of Agiasmati in Platanistasa, Holy Cross of Pelendri, St. John the Illuminator in Kalopanagioti and Metamorphosis of the Savior in Palaiochori.
The monasteries kept Christianity alive during tough times and they are popular attractions for visitors, faithful or not, in order to admire the architecture and the hagiographies. Some of them are the monastery Kikkou, Stavrovouniou, Mahaira, Panagia Trikoukiotissa, Panagia Amasgous, Timiou Prodromou Mesa Potamou, Trooditissas etc.
All the main rivers of Cyprus start from Troodos which gives live life to the entire island and sustains the agriculture for thousands of years. The climate on taller areas favors the cultivation of deciduous fruit trees such as apple (valley of Solea), and cherry, basic products of villages Marathasa and Pitsilia, while the hilly villages of Limassol and Paphos cultivate vines for wine production. The wine villages of Limassol and Paphos are beautiful settlements with small local wineries where the visitor can travel and taste the famous wines.
Popular resorts and beautiful villages like Pano Platres that have been praised by famous poet Seferis, Prodromos the highest village of Cylania, Arsos, Agros with the famous rosewater, Amiantos, the picturesque Lania, Foini with the jars, Pano Leukara, beautiful Omodos, Kiperounta or Vasa Koilaniou are some of the settlements worth visiting their beauty, food and sweets.
The state forests of Troodos, Paphosm Adelfoi, Machairas, and Limassol are part of Troodos and are in the jurisdiction of the Department of Forestry of the Republic. The flora is rich with about 800 different plant species (37 species of endemic plants that are not found elsewhere in the world), and 92 different native plants from 143 species on the island. The trachea and the black pine, the cypress, the plane-tree, cedar, fern, or crossing, oak, wild olive, the sumach, the hawthorn, the endemic wild rose, golden oak and eastern strawberry tree are some of the trees and bushes encountered in the region.
The fauna of the Troodos is also rich with the endemic Cyprus mouflon (wild sheep species) that mainly live in Paphos Forest to be an important link in the chain. Other mammal species living here is the fox, the hare, the hedgehog, small rodents and bats, the viper, while from special bird observatories the visitors can see birds like the short-toed treecreeper, raven, nightingale, Cyprus wheatear and the griffon vulture which is an endangered species.
Major peaks of the mountain complex is Tripylos (1362m.), Kykkos (1318m.), The Chionistra or Olympus (1951m.), The Madari (1613m.), Pappoutsa (1554m.) And Kionia (1423m.). The Troodos mountain range presents diverse terrain, from the lowest to the highest altitudes, which is characterized by normal or steep slopes, deep valleys and rounded peaks. The geomorphology of the area was created when the underwater volcano erupted 90 million years ago and caused elevation of the ocean floor of the Mediterranean, precipitating the African plate beneath the Eurasian one. The main geological formation in the mountain range is the ophiolite complex, which is part of the oceanic crust and conceals huge mineral wealth. The rich deposits of asbestos, chromite, copper pyrites, gold and silver are scattered in the area, while t plutonic rocks have been found on the peak Chionistra. The Troodos mountains are among the most researched geological phenomena in the world and one of the few places where scientists can examine the ocean floor, without having to go overboard, since otherwise they would have to reach the seabed. Because of the uniqueness many foreign universities come as part of scientific research and education.In the Geopark of Troodos, which in 2015 was included in the global network of UNESCO, there is a visitor center where all exposed ophiolite rocks are presented with detailed information on geological processes and geomorphology of the area.
The famous mountain range is also one of the five richest areas of copper in the world. This exploitation played a leading role in the economy and culture of Cyprus, which was one of the first centers of intensive exploitation of copper in antiquity, which is evident from the name (the Latin name of copper is cuprum).