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Nestling 1060 metres above sea level, Saranti
is one of the highest villages of Cyprus, hidden away among
the tall pines of Adelfi Forest.
Surrounded by steep mountain slopes and
deep, narrow valleys, Saranti has not been blessed with fertile
soil. Thus the fields of vegetables, the vines, the almond,
apple and chestnut trees grown in the village are a testament
to the perseverance and years of toil of its inhabitants.
Built in comparatively recent times the village was probably
named after its first inhabitant, called Sarantis. The villagers
earned their living mainly from lumberjacking in the area.
During the EOKA campaign there were two hide-outs at Saranti.
One was at the house of a priest called Papacharalambos, where
EOKA guerillas were eventually arrested, and the house was
subsequently blown up by British soldiers. The other hide-out
was in the mountains. One kilometre outside the village there
is a monument dedicated to EOKA hero Charalarnbos Pettemerides.
The village church is dedicated to St. Constantine
and St. Helena. It has interesting frescoes dating to the
16th centrury and features a wooden roof.Visitors to Saranti
can see the wellknown "Pyrgos Spring" which has
been embellished by the Former Inhabitants Association. Just
opposite is the "Kastania" Restaurant.
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