Agros
Winner 2008 in the Tourism and Local
Intangible Heritage category
On the slopes of Mount Troodos, centrally
located, Agros village offers an authentic travel experience and
it’s easy to access by car and bus.
Agros village is situated in the heart of
the Pitsilia region in a beautiful valley, where wild roses grow
in the hills. It is home to many historical and cultural sites
and natural walking and hiking trails for those who love nature
and enjoy discovering local flora and fauna. Its beautifully
landscaped vineyards, its blossomed almond trees, walnut trees,
fruit orchards and perennial crystal clear water springs have
earned Agros a very prestigious reputation as one of the
island’s national treasures.
Agros is an ideal year-round rural
destination to visit not only for its great countryside, but
also for its local traditions and cultural and religious sites.
Named after a monastery of the 11th century, Agros was founded
at the end of the 18th century and developed its well-known
rosewater industry with the introduction of the Mesopotamian
Rosa Damascena in the early 20th century. Agros offers its
visitors unique opportunities to participate in celebrations of
local cultural heritage and natural beauty, like the rose
festival in May.
Throughout the area there are three nature
trails, ideal for walking in an idyllic setting. A walk through
Agros village reveals important aspects of the tradition,
history and culture of the region. The church of Panagia Eleousa
erected on the ruins of the Agros monastery is an impressive
piece of Byzantine architecture with a massive dome. The church
also housed the icon of Panagia (Virgin Mary the Merciful) until
1990 when it was relocated at a nearby chapel. The church of
Timios Prodromos (John the Baptist) is a 19th century basilica
located in eastern Agros.
Agros is situated along the path of a wine
route through pine trees and grapevines which grow freely on the
slopes of the mountain. Rose lovers will thoroughly enjoy a
visit to Agros in May during the annual week-long rose festival,
at the peak of the rose blossoming period. The festival is full
of activities, exhibitions and demonstrations, celebrating
nature’s beauty and local traditions. During the month of May
rose-growers pick around half a million rose buds during the
early morning hours while the leaves are still damp with morning
dew. These flowers fill the whole region with a sensational
fragrance. Local villagers and the surrounding communities use
the rose extract to produce rose oil, rosewater, liqueur and
brandy. Rosewater also has many uses in Cypriot cuisine,
especially in cakes and syrups.
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