Pitsilia
Winner 2015 in the Tourism and Local Gastronomy category
The beautiful Pitsilia region is the most
gastronomically varied mountainous region of Cyprus. Its
villages are scattered on both north and south sides of the
Troodos mountain range, and their highest peaks are Madari
(1,612 metres above sea level) and Papoutsa (1,154 metres). The
villages of Pitsilia still have their traditional architecture
to a great extent, which bears witness to their long and rich
history. Some are built on steep mountainsides amongst vineyards
while others are spread out along green valleys.
The four main villages of the Pitsilia
region are Agros, Palechori, Pelendri and Kyperounda, while the
others complete the multi-faceted puzzle that makes up this part
of Cyprus and which some have called “heaven on earth”. The
natural environment is abundant; its hillsides are planted with
vines, nut and fruit trees: almond, hazelnut, walnut, apple,
pear, cherry, etc. It is an enchanting landscape for visitors,
thanks to the constantly alternating vineyards, orchards and
pine forests.
The region is especially well-known for its
traditional products such as: fragrant rose water, gammon,
sausages, soujoukos (made from grape must), lountza (smoked pork
loin), many and varied “glyka tou koutaliou” (fruit preserved in
syrup), jams, liqueurs and various types of bread. An important
place in its gastronomic wealth is attributed to the renowned
“Commandaria” wine and the authentic Cypriot spirit, “Zivania”.
Pitsilia is a significant point of reference
for the continued promotion and manufacture of traditional
products since many family workshops continue to operate in the
region. A starting point for calculating gastronomic value is
the region’s varied agricultural production. In northern
Pitsilia is the unique hazelnut forest, in Agros the damask rose
is cultivated, with which superb gastronomic dishes are created,
at Pelendri and Dymes one finds countless apple and pear
orchards, while Kyperounda is home to the highest (in altitude)
vineyards in Europe. The landscape is completed by scattered
vineyards of indigenous varieties, while a large section of
southern Pitsilia falls within the Commandaria villages area in
which the “xynisteri” and “mavro” grape varieties are cultivated
to make the best-known Cypriot wine.
Four Byzantine churches in Pitsilia region
are included in UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list,
containing impressive icons and iconostases crafted from
materials of the Troodos area. Furthermore, there are countless
museums in the region such as folk art, natural history and
historical struggle. Many restaurants serving local cuisine, and
superb wineries which are investing in their wines and
vineyards, reviving the land that has generously offered its
produce over the centuries abound. There is a plethora of
attractive nature trails, wonderful village squares, narrow
cobbled streets, gardens lovingly cared for by their owners and
shaded with vines, containing traditional ovens in their
courtyards in which they bake their own delicious bread.
The changing landscape, the variety of
colours depending on the season, the Byzantine churches and
chapels, as well as the warm hospitality of the residents,
intertwine so as to make Pitsilia one of the most attractive
regions in Cyprus.
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