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Nestling between two steep slopes at a height
of 920 metres above sea level, Palechori is a real jewel of
the Pitsilia region and one of the most characteristic villages
of the Cyprus mountains.
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The meaning of the Greek word Palalchori
is 'old village' and this is certainly true, for documents
dating back to the 13th century AD refer to the village as
old at that time, implying that it had been built much earlier.
Palekhori was founded during the Byzantine era, and in 1297
King Henry II gave the village to the Knights Hospitallers
of the Small Com- manderie. Even today the surnames of some
inhabitants have Latin roots
Large and picturesque, Palekhori often reminds
visitors of the villages of mountain Italy. Most of its houses
are typical of folk
architecture; stone-built with tiled roofs usually covered
by climbing vines. The scenic beauty of the place is accentuated
by the amphitheatre- style arrangement of its houses on opposite
mountain peaks, with the Serrahis river flowing between them.
Vines are everywhere in Palekhori, and the grapes are used
in wine production. Strawberies produced in the area are considered
to be the best in Cyprus. Apple trees, pear, quince and peach
trees almonds and chestnuts complete the rich vegetation that
gives speciat colour to the village. As well as admiring their
surroundings, visitors have the opportunity of sampling and
buying the delicious locally-produced khiromeria (smoked pork
legs) and sausages, which are famous all over the island.
The inhabitants of the village toil hard
on their small terraced plots on the steep slopes. With the
building of a dam of 620,000 cubic metres as part of the Pitsilia
Integrated Development Scheme, the land area for cultivation
has been increased, enabling locals to stay in their village.
Palekhori was the first village in the Nicosia district where
land con- solidation was implemented.
Three of the best known heroes of the EOKA liberation struggle,
Kyriakos Matsis. Michalakis Karaolis and Nicos Georgiou, were
born in Palekhori.
On a hill overlooking the village stands the statue of the
Cypriot Mother, who raised chil- dren that shed their blood
for their country's freedom. The Cypriot Mother, with Palekhori
at her feet, looks proudly at the glorious mountains of Pitsilia,
where EOKA fighters had their hide-outs and fought the British
Army. Hero Cregoris Afxentiou was active in this area and
his hide-out has recently been restored.
Palekhori has four churches: Panayia Chrysopantanassa,
built in the 16th century, St. Luke's, built on the site of
an order church dating to the 10th century, St. George's -
a
very old church that was re-built in 1864, and the Church
of the Saviour with beautiful 15th century frescoes. Other
points of interest in the village are the medieval olive press
of St Luke, recently restored with the help of the Leventis
Foundations and the St Anargyri Chapel with folk art frescoes
A stroll through the narrow streets of the
village is a delight in itself, affording visitors the chance
of admiring the solid stone buildings erected by the former
inhabitants of the village who kept the world of Hesiod very
much alive till the 1950's. Afterwards, the dappled shade
of tall maple trees in the cobbled village square provides
a relaxing refuge in which to enjoy a tiny cup of local coffee
or a cool drink. Most memorably, there's the chance of talking
to the hospitable people of the village who convey the genuine
warmth of rustic village life.
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