History
Pyrga
In the middle of the Nicosia — Limassol road, between Kornos and Psevdas, a mild, shallow valley is traversed by a small tributary of the river Tremithos, and under the northern foothills of Stavrovouni, the Larnaca District village of Pyrga is located.
Built at an elevation of 270 meters, the village is literally “submerged” in pine trees and untamed vegetation.
A panoramic view of the village
The village is located approximately 23 kilometers from Larnaca and 30 kilometers from Nicosia.
The Appidaki, Syinova, Vasioti, Evgali, Stavris, Viklia, and Pipi mountains surround and protect the Pyrga. This mountain range is verdant. If you take one of the numerous trails or a country road to the slopes of the hill, you will be awed by the abundance and diversity of the natural vegetation.
Just behind the 450-meter-tall Evgali mountain, which is located south of the village, is the 688-meter-tall Stavrovouni peak, which is the highest point in the village. Holy Monasteries of Stavrovouni and “Agias Varvaras” (St. Barbara) are located within the administrative boundaries of the community.
Camping Site
The average annual precipitation in Pyrga is approximately 430 millimeters. Due to the mountainous formations that surround the village, a shallow but extremely fertile valley is formed, which serves as the community’s primary agricultural “lung.” Cereals, potatoes, vegetables, citrus trees, olives, carobs, and a variety of legumes (primarily black-eyed French beans) are the primary products produced in this region. Large tracts of state-owned and privately-owned land are thankfully still uncultivated, allowing a vast array of wild vegetation to flourish in all its splendor.
The village’s first fountain
Pines, Phoenician junipers, wild olive trees, terebinths (turpentine trees), lentisks, butcher’s brooms, thorny brooms, lavenders “stoechas”, thorny burnets, sages (cistus and camomile), and thymes are only a few of the species one encounters while passing through. In addition, it is no coincidence that all known botanists who have occasionally studied the flora of the land have spent a great deal of time in this region. (Sibthorp 1787, Kotschy 1859, Sintenis 1880, Lindberg 1939).
This diverse natural vegetation is not irrelevant to the production of the renowned “Honey of Stavrovouni” in the region. The region’s honey has an exquisite flavor and aroma due to the abundance and quality of its flowers. The residents have realized that the future of the community, as well as their own survival, are directly tied to this natural landscape. Therefore, they became aware of the issue in time and have waged dynamic (and also legal) battles for the preservation of the natural environment in their community.
The old Water-mill
In terms of transportation, Pyrga is linked to the village of Kornos in the west (approximately 3.5 kilometers away), the village of Agia Anna in the north-east (approximately 6.5 kilometers away), and, via it, the city of Larnaca. It is located approximately 5 kilometers north-northeast of the neighboring village of Psevdas.
In terms of transportation, Pyrga is linked to the village of Kornos in the west (approximately 3.5 kilometers away), the village of Agia Anna in the north-east (approximately 6.5 kilometers away), and, via it, the city of Larnaca. It is located approximately 5 kilometers north-northeast of the neighboring village of Psevdas.
The original core of the settlement, which is comprised of small, traditional houses made of sun-dried bricks or chestnut lava, is being abandoned continuously. A number of contemporary and country homes are being built in the village’s vicinity, particularly on the peaks and slopes of the hills. Pyrga’s verdant landscape appears to have been recognized early on, as a number of Larnaca and Nicosia residents have built their country homes and cottages there.
The village has existed since the Middle Ages. However, its name dates back to Byzantine times.
There are two possible meanings for the village’s name (Pyrga or Pyrka). The first, which appears to be the most plausible, asserts that the name derives from the region’s red soil (“pyrron” = red). Thus, the village’s name is quite old and derived from pyr (fire) and the Doric idiom ga (instead of “gi,” which means earth). Therefore, the meaning of Pyrga is “red soil.”
According to another interpretation, due to the dense forests in this region, numerous pottery and charcoal kilns were constantly burning. Thus, the term ” pyrkagies ” (plural, meaning fires) was derived from the numerous fires that occurred.
The history of the village dates back to ancient times. Numerous archaeological artifacts, such as caves, earthen statues, pots, coins, jewelry, etc., discovered in the region are evidence of this. Sadly, quite a few of them are in museums abroad, having been moved there by antiquities smugglers, Ambassadors, and High Commissioners of the Great Powers who were in the island during those times. The prevalent poverty and ignorance at the time made their task easier.
The ancient medieval churches still standing in the community (Royal Chapel, Agia Marina, “Panagia tis Stazousas”) are relics of the community’s history during that time period.
According to an old tradition, the great treasure of Ianos (Janus) (silver, gold, and coins), which was never discovered, is still hidden in Pyrga, in the rumored underground galleries under and around St. Catherine. According to legend, this treasure is sufficient to sustain the entire population of Cyprus for a number of years.
A panoramic view of the village
Pyrga is an ideal location for the purchase of a country home or permanent residence on account of its favorable climate, verdant landscape, and proximity to Larnaca and Nicosia. The residents of the two cities appear to have recognized these benefits early on, as a significant number of them have found here the ideal location for their country homes and villas. Recently, a large privately owned Community Centre was constructed in the center of the village, housing the Community Offices, a Health Centre, a Post Office, a cafeteria / restaurant, an event / meeting hall, etc.
All indications are that this growth and development will continue in the years to come, transforming Pyrga into a tranquil, modern, and nearby resort for the residents of Larnaca and Nicosia. The only prerequisite is that the natural environment must be maintained at all costs.
Built at an elevation of 270 meters, the village is literally “submerged” in pine trees and untamed vegetation.
A panoramic view of the village
The village is located approximately 23 kilometers from Larnaca and 30 kilometers from Nicosia.
The Appidaki, Syinova, Vasioti, Evgali, Stavris, Viklia, and Pipi mountains surround and protect the Pyrga. This mountain range is verdant. If you take one of the numerous trails or a country road to the slopes of the hill, you will be awed by the abundance and diversity of the natural vegetation.
Just behind the 450-meter-tall Evgali mountain, which is located south of the village, is the 688-meter-tall Stavrovouni peak, which is the highest point in the village. Holy Monasteries of Stavrovouni and “Agias Varvaras” (St. Barbara) are located within the administrative boundaries of the community.
Camping Site
The average annual precipitation in Pyrga is approximately 430 millimeters. Due to the mountainous formations that surround the village, a shallow but extremely fertile valley is formed, which serves as the community’s primary agricultural “lung.” Cereals, potatoes, vegetables, citrus trees, olives, carobs, and a variety of legumes (primarily black-eyed French beans) are the primary products produced in this region. Large tracts of state-owned and privately-owned land are thankfully still uncultivated, allowing a vast array of wild vegetation to flourish in all its splendor.
The village’s first fountain
Pines, Phoenician junipers, wild olive trees, terebinths (turpentine trees), lentisks, butcher’s brooms, thorny brooms, lavenders “stoechas”, thorny burnets, sages (cistus and camomile), and thymes are only a few of the species one encounters while passing through. In addition, it is no coincidence that all known botanists who have occasionally studied the flora of the land have spent a great deal of time in this region. (Sibthorp 1787, Kotschy 1859, Sintenis 1880, Lindberg 1939).
This diverse natural vegetation is not irrelevant to the production of the renowned “Honey of Stavrovouni” in the region. The region’s honey has an exquisite flavor and aroma due to the abundance and quality of its flowers. The residents have realized that the future of the community, as well as their own survival, are directly tied to this natural landscape. Therefore, they became aware of the issue in time and have waged dynamic (and also legal) battles for the preservation of the natural environment in their community.
The old Water-mill
In terms of transportation, Pyrga is linked to the village of Kornos in the west (approximately 3.5 kilometers away), the village of Agia Anna in the north-east (approximately 6.5 kilometers away), and, via it, the city of Larnaca. It is located approximately 5 kilometers north-northeast of the neighboring village of Psevdas.
In terms of transportation, Pyrga is linked to the village of Kornos in the west (approximately 3.5 kilometers away), the village of Agia Anna in the north-east (approximately 6.5 kilometers away), and, via it, the city of Larnaca. It is located approximately 5 kilometers north-northeast of the neighboring village of Psevdas.
The original core of the settlement, which is comprised of small, traditional houses made of sun-dried bricks or chestnut lava, is being abandoned continuously. A number of contemporary and country homes are being built in the village’s vicinity, particularly on the peaks and slopes of the hills. Pyrga’s verdant landscape appears to have been recognized early on, as a number of Larnaca and Nicosia residents have built their country homes and cottages there.
The village has existed since the Middle Ages. However, its name dates back to Byzantine times.
There are two possible meanings for the village’s name (Pyrga or Pyrka). The first, which appears to be the most plausible, asserts that the name derives from the region’s red soil (“pyrron” = red). Thus, the village’s name is quite old and derived from pyr (fire) and the Doric idiom ga (instead of “gi,” which means earth). Therefore, the meaning of Pyrga is “red soil.”
According to another interpretation, due to the dense forests in this region, numerous pottery and charcoal kilns were constantly burning. Thus, the term ” pyrkagies ” (plural, meaning fires) was derived from the numerous fires that occurred.
The history of the village dates back to ancient times. Numerous archaeological artifacts, such as caves, earthen statues, pots, coins, jewelry, etc., discovered in the region are evidence of this. Sadly, quite a few of them are in museums abroad, having been moved there by antiquities smugglers, Ambassadors, and High Commissioners of the Great Powers who were in the island during those times. The prevalent poverty and ignorance at the time made their task easier.
The ancient medieval churches still standing in the community (Royal Chapel, Agia Marina, “Panagia tis Stazousas”) are relics of the community’s history during that time period.
According to an old tradition, the great treasure of Ianos (Janus) (silver, gold, and coins), which was never discovered, is still hidden in Pyrga, in the rumored underground galleries under and around St. Catherine. According to legend, this treasure is sufficient to sustain the entire population of Cyprus for a number of years.
A panoramic view of the village
Pyrga is an ideal location for the purchase of a country home or permanent residence on account of its favorable climate, verdant landscape, and proximity to Larnaca and Nicosia. The residents of the two cities appear to have recognized these benefits early on, as a significant number of them have found here the ideal location for their country homes and villas. Recently, a large privately owned Community Centre was constructed in the center of the village, housing the Community Offices, a Health Centre, a Post Office, a cafeteria / restaurant, an event / meeting hall, etc.
All indications are that this growth and development will continue in the years to come, transforming Pyrga into a tranquil, modern, and nearby resort for the residents of Larnaca and Nicosia. The only prerequisite is that the natural environment must be maintained at all costs.