The trail follows the stream from the tap to the Athkies Poullin faucet, passing two other traditional sources and offers the opportunity to visit a medieval chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and a traditional olive mill.
What to see in Arsos
Arsos village is one of the largest wine villages of Cyprus. It is 40 kilometers from Limassol and 45 km from Pafos.
It is built on the slopes of Laona mountain at an altitude of 1092 meters with open horizon Valley Diarizos river to the sea of Paphos. This location gives a wonderful cool dry summer climate. For this reason it attracts hundreds of tourists.
There are two versions about the name of the village. The one of the Sacred Grove of Aphrodite where lies the village and the other in one of the four cities that were built by Ptolemy Philadelphus in honor of Arsinoe.
Since ancient times developed into a large and varied wine-producing village. All the villagers make their own wine, especially the black and keep the latter in large earthenware jars. The main grape varieties grown are black, Xynisteri and new grape varieties. In most homes there are jars and presses for the manufacture of the famous Arsiotikou wine and the boilers for the production of zivania.
The village is built collectively. It is a classic example of dense settlement. The narrow streets, the with elongated, double-room and Anogia built with splendid carved stone combined with tiled roofs lend a charm to the architecture of the village. Characteristic are also the many neoclassical buildings of the village.
It's typical hospitality of the villagers, the cleanliness of homes and roads, the magnificent picturesque courtyards and kinds-kinds of flowers and grasses.
The women of the village are famous for their skill in manufacturing various traditional dishes such as "Palouzes" "epsima" "koullourouthkia with epsima", "paste", "soutzioukos" "kiofterka" "arkatena" "kattimerka" , various candy and many other species. Several of them you can taste in the palouze celebration.
The village flourished in the period from 1920 to 1960. The population of the village was in 2000 inhabitants. But then the inconvenient of viticulture, the bad roads of the era and better luck searching the cities led the village to stagnation and abandonment. Today left about 300 people in the village, dragging with them a rich tradition of customs.
The Community Council Arsos and Arsos Development Association, founded 18 years ago, aimed at preserving the customs and traditions of the village, preserving the architectural character alongside modern development with a view to converting it into space viable for young people. Main activities organized are planting every January, the Easter events, donations, the Cyprus night in July, the August Festival, the celebration palouze etc.
Church St. Philip.
The village church is dedicated to the Apostle Philip, patron Saint of the Community. The magnificent Byzantine Church is located in the center of the village, built in the 12th century and is unique in its kind and size. It has been declared by the department of antiquities in ancient monument and has recently been renovated. Inside the church one can see the ancient wooden temple of the 18th century with ancient images. Unique is the big picture of St. Philip (13th century) as well as part of the Apostle Philip remains.
Built in the nave is the chapel of St. Mariamnis of St. Philip's sister, who works as icon-store. There are kept ancient icons from the 15th century until the second half of the 19th century. also kept sacred vestments priest and deacon of the last century, tributes to the Apostle Philip, a crown of 15th century which was placed to the Apostle Philip, machining parts, holy gospels, sacred vessels, vestments, a gold-embroidered image of Christ, a bell made in Venice 1858 and cherubim 19th century.
In the village there is a second small Medieval church dedicated to the Virgin Chryseleousa, Catholics. In ancient times was Latinomonastiro.
Remarkable, among the best of its kind is the Folklore Museum of the village. Built in the 19th century and is an ancient monument and what tools are kept, furniture, utensils past times associated with viticulture and other occupations of the inhabitants.
The path of Nature "The six Taps" located along the river connects the six fountains Medieval village. There is rich flora and fauna. The taps are connected to the village with cobbled pathways.
The village has agrotourism residensies, which are old houses that were restored and accommodate locals and foreign visitors.
Do you need more reasons to pay a visit?
Start Point: Arsos in Athkies fountain on the main road to Agios Nikolaos. It crosses the village of Arsos. In reverse order, the boot can be made in Poullin faucet, west of the village.
End: Source Poullin
Difficulty Rate: Category 1: Easy trail, with terrain problems and mild changes in gradient.