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SPILIA SIGHTSEENG
In brief
1. Old church of Agios Antonios
Ancient monument
The old church of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony) was built in 1858 by father John Iakovou and the president of the community (mukhtar) Neophytos. There are a lot old icons of the Cornaro style. Two icons and the sanctuary doors were made on 16th century and belonged to an elder church.
2. The Pine-Belfry
It is a huge, branchy, symmetrical pine in front of the western entrance of the ancient church of Agios Antonios. At some point, the trunk is split into two thick armpits. In between them, a belfry was made. On the pine base, a very large rectangular stone is stuck in it. Legend says that a resident of Spilia tried to cut the pine but he did not succeed. At night, Agios Antonios placed a huge stone to cover the wound.
3. New church of Agios Antonios
The new church of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony) stands next to the old one. It is built with the stones of the mountain region of Madari, which is harmonically combined with Agios Theodoros bricks on the arches and the pediments. The effort to build a new large church of Agios Antonios began in 1944 by teacher Clearchos Kyriakides and father John Neofytou and after going through many afflictions, it was completed in 1970 by Alexandros Tsaggarides and father Demetres Demetriades.
4. Pafitaina’s olive mill
Ancient monument
This traditional monument was built in 1894 by Katerina Koutsoloizi (Pafitaina) and was working until 1954. It was renovated by the association of expatriots and the department of antiquities of Cyprus, because of urgent action taken by Andreas Chrysanthou. It. is full equiped and is one of the best preserved olive mills in Cyprus. The mill was bought by the expatriots from Agni, a Pafitaina’s grand girl, and then was donated to the community of Spilia.
5. Heroes Monument
The heroes monument is located in the center of Spilia. It hosts four statues of EOKA’s heroes who fell in Kourdali on 1958, Andreas Patsalides, Costas Anaxagora, Panagiotis Georgiades and Alekos Konstantinou. A commemorative plaque for the heroes who fell in other national races stands in the same place: Chrysostomos Kleanthis Ierides the (1914), Andreas Agisilaou and Michael Kakoullis (1964) Andreas Neocleous and Loizos Koukkoulis (1974).
6 Hideouts of EOKA
The higtouts of EOKA’s struggle are located on the pick of the Kourdali mountains. It is a complex of thee hideouts, kitchen, storages and exercise areas. In this were hosted 18 rebels, between them the famous hero Afxentiou. From here, the leader Grivas, coordinated the EOKA’s struggle until 12 of December 1955 when the famous "Battle of the Spilia" taken place there. In this battle a lot of English soldiers were killed without any loss of reppels. After the buttle the Brittains blew up the all the complex. Now thw complex was restored and natural trais leed to the hideouts. A rural road connects Spilia with this place.
7. “Krya Vrysi”
It is the old fountain (Vrysi) of Spilia. More exactly, it is a water tank built in 1908 and which receives the water of two nearby springs. From the tank, the water flows through two taps which are placed on a different height. The water is very cold and it has a very pleasant taste. Approximately until 1960, it was the basic source of water for the village. Young girls and boys useally gathered here in the afternoons to fill their “kouzes” (pots) with water but also to chat, joke and begin a romance.
8. Agios Georgios chapel
This small church is situated at the location “Karydi” (walnut) of Spilia, next to the main road which leads to the community. It was built in 1994, having as prime mover the Cashier of the Ecclesiastical Committee, Antonis Karis. This was the vivid wish of many of the residents and expatriates of Spilia because there were the ruins of an elder church. In this place the villagers gathered until 1960 on the Monday after Easter to pray to Saint George. A feast then followed under the shadow walnut trees of the area. The chapel was the church of the settlement which formerly existed in the surrounding area. Nowadays, the area is being reconstructed with beautiful country houses.
8. “O Tafos tis Panouklas” (The Grave of the Plague)
This strange physical monument is located at the eastern edge of Spilia in a beautiful valley. It consitts of two hudge rocks one over the other. These two rocks among which, according to a legend, Virgin Mary of Kourdali, killed the plange which was killing the residents of Spilia. The villagers made an overnight prayer in the Virgin’s monastery to protect them from this illness. Virgin Mary listened to them, came in and punished the Plague!
9. Museum of the shoemaker
Tis museum is located in the center of Spilia. It was created in 2007 by Andreas Chrysanthou in memory of his father Christos, the famous shoemaker, hunter and dancer. The museum is unique of its kind all over Cyprus. Here you find all the tools and machines of a tradional shoemaker and books with prices and names of customers since 1933. Christos was teached this art on Galata’s village and practised this profession for 75 years (1920-1995)! The bench in front of wich he was sitting all these years, constructed on 1920, stands in the museum full of tools of the same period.
10 Folk Art Museum
It is located at the entrance of Spilia. It was made by the Secretary of the rural club “Proodos” Ktoris Michael in 2005. There you find kinds of daily use and living or tools of tradional jobs and arts.
11. The house of Antgone
Listed house
His preserved small house stands in the centre of Spilia and in its semi-underground floor it accommodates the Shoemaker’s Museum. The residence was primarily built in 1870 by Nicolas Kapournais and was bought By Christos Chrisanthou on 1963. Christos donated it to his son Andreas. After application of Andreas the Government of Cyprus decided that it was a fine sample of popular architecture, thus being declared as a listed residence by the Council of Ministers. The house was renovated by Andreas and opened its doors on October 2007 by the Minister of Interior C|hristos Patsalides, during a traditional feast organised by the community. The house is a museum of a rural traditional house of the beginning of the 20th century.
12. The Park of Irene
This park is located next to the churches of Spilia. It has playground, theater and sitting place with panoramic view of the community. It was created in 2002 by the family of Andreas Chrysanthou in memory of his daughter Irene. The creation of the park was financed by the government, the community, the association of expatriots and many friends of the family.
13. Natural trails
Nature lovers and all those who like hiking have many opportunities and challenges for their hobby. Eight nature paths around wait them for remarkable experiences. Each path has its own interest, but two of them, I think, are extraordinary: ‘Doxa si o Theos-Madari’ and ‘Spilies tou Digheni’. The first one has a very wild beauty and the second one has a remarkable historical interest.
Three starting points exist on roads around Spilia.. One of them is called ‘Moutti tis Choras’ Here three trails begin: “Mavra Dasi”, “Staorouthkia” and “Doxa si o Theos”. The second one is at the end of “Straorouthkia” and here the trails “Spilies toy Digeni”, “Agia Irene” and “Kourdali” start. The third one stands at the end of “Doxa si o Theos” and from here the trails “Madari” and ‘platania’ start. good starting points. Let’s observe each case separately.
14. Spilia traditional winery
This small winery exists in the yard of Andreas and Flora residence at the east edge of Spilia in the “Laou” location. It is a tradionally created room made by the hands of Andreas. Her he placed tvo large pithari (ceramic vessel) one coming from his grandfather Chrysanthos and the other one from his grand-grandfather Kasinos. Two smaller pithari from the same persons are there. A large daminzana (glass vessel) coming from his father Christos stands among them. In one corner you can see an old oak barrel and in the opposide one see also a traditional kazani (distilling copper vessel). Andreas and Flora are very proud for all of them.
The couple makes there three kinds of traditional wines from there vineyardsQ Mavro, Pampakas and Xynisteri. They distill also zivania and make liguers from it: Cherry and Androuklia (very rare one).
Andreas Chrysanthou
02/05/2012
SPILIA SIGHTSEENG
In brief
1. Old church of Agios Antonios
Ancient monument
The old church of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony) was built in 1858 by father John Iakovou and the president of the community (mukhtar) Neophytos. There are a lot old icons of the Cornaro style. Two icons and the sanctuary doors were made on 16th century and belonged to an elder church.
2. The Pine-Belfry
It is a huge, branchy, symmetrical pine in front of the western entrance of the ancient church of Agios Antonios. At some point, the trunk is split into two thick armpits. In between them, a belfry was made. On the pine base, a very large rectangular stone is stuck in it. Legend says that a resident of Spilia tried to cut the pine but he did not succeed. At night, Agios Antonios placed a huge stone to cover the wound.
3. New church of Agios Antonios
The new church of Agios Antonios (Saint Anthony) stands next to the old one. It is built with the stones of the mountain region of Madari, which is harmonically combined with Agios Theodoros bricks on the arches and the pediments. The effort to build a new large church of Agios Antonios began in 1944 by teacher Clearchos Kyriakides and father John Neofytou and after going through many afflictions, it was completed in 1970 by Alexandros Tsaggarides and father Demetres Demetriades.
4. Pafitaina’s olive mill
Ancient monument
This traditional monument was built in 1894 by Katerina Koutsoloizi (Pafitaina) and was working until 1954. It was renovated by the association of expatriots and the department of antiquities of Cyprus, because of urgent action taken by Andreas Chrysanthou. It. is full equiped and is one of the best preserved olive mills in Cyprus. The mill was bought by the expatriots from Agni, a Pafitaina’s grand girl, and then was donated to the community of Spilia.
5. Heroes Monument
The heroes monument is located in the center of Spilia. It hosts four statues of EOKA’s heroes who fell in Kourdali on 1958, Andreas Patsalides, Costas Anaxagora, Panagiotis Georgiades and Alekos Konstantinou. A commemorative plaque for the heroes who fell in other national races stands in the same place: Chrysostomos Kleanthis Ierides the (1914), Andreas Agisilaou and Michael Kakoullis (1964) Andreas Neocleous and Loizos Koukkoulis (1974).
6 Hideouts of EOKA
The higtouts of EOKA’s struggle are located on the pick of the Kourdali mountains. It is a complex of thee hideouts, kitchen, storages and exercise areas. In this were hosted 18 rebels, between them the famous hero Afxentiou. From here, the leader Grivas, coordinated the EOKA’s struggle until 12 of December 1955 when the famous "Battle of the Spilia" taken place there. In this battle a lot of English soldiers were killed without any loss of reppels. After the buttle the Brittains blew up the all the complex. Now thw complex was restored and natural trais leed to the hideouts. A rural road connects Spilia with this place.
7. “Krya Vrysi”
It is the old fountain (Vrysi) of Spilia. More exactly, it is a water tank built in 1908 and which receives the water of two nearby springs. From the tank, the water flows through two taps which are placed on a different height. The water is very cold and it has a very pleasant taste. Approximately until 1960, it was the basic source of water for the village. Young girls and boys useally gathered here in the afternoons to fill their “kouzes” (pots) with water but also to chat, joke and begin a romance.
8. Agios Georgios chapel
This small church is situated at the location “Karydi” (walnut) of Spilia, next to the main road which leads to the community. It was built in 1994, having as prime mover the Cashier of the Ecclesiastical Committee, Antonis Karis. This was the vivid wish of many of the residents and expatriates of Spilia because there were the ruins of an elder church. In this place the villagers gathered until 1960 on the Monday after Easter to pray to Saint George. A feast then followed under the shadow walnut trees of the area. The chapel was the church of the settlement which formerly existed in the surrounding area. Nowadays, the area is being reconstructed with beautiful country houses.
8. “O Tafos tis Panouklas” (The Grave of the Plague)
This strange physical monument is located at the eastern edge of Spilia in a beautiful valley. It consitts of two hudge rocks one over the other. These two rocks among which, according to a legend, Virgin Mary of Kourdali, killed the plange which was killing the residents of Spilia. The villagers made an overnight prayer in the Virgin’s monastery to protect them from this illness. Virgin Mary listened to them, came in and punished the Plague!
9. Museum of the shoemaker
Tis museum is located in the center of Spilia. It was created in 2007 by Andreas Chrysanthou in memory of his father Christos, the famous shoemaker, hunter and dancer. The museum is unique of its kind all over Cyprus. Here you find all the tools and machines of a tradional shoemaker and books with prices and names of customers since 1933. Christos was teached this art on Galata’s village and practised this profession for 75 years (1920-1995)! The bench in front of wich he was sitting all these years, constructed on 1920, stands in the museum full of tools of the same period.
10 Folk Art Museum
It is located at the entrance of Spilia. It was made by the Secretary of the rural club “Proodos” Ktoris Michael in 2005. There you find kinds of daily use and living or tools of tradional jobs and arts.
11. The house of Antgone
Listed house
His preserved small house stands in the centre of Spilia and in its semi-underground floor it accommodates the Shoemaker’s Museum. The residence was primarily built in 1870 by Nicolas Kapournais and was bought By Christos Chrisanthou on 1963. Christos donated it to his son Andreas. After application of Andreas the Government of Cyprus decided that it was a fine sample of popular architecture, thus being declared as a listed residence by the Council of Ministers. The house was renovated by Andreas and opened its doors on October 2007 by the Minister of Interior C|hristos Patsalides, during a traditional feast organised by the community. The house is a museum of a rural traditional house of the beginning of the 20th century.
12. The Park of Irene
This park is located next to the churches of Spilia. It has playground, theater and sitting place with panoramic view of the community. It was created in 2002 by the family of Andreas Chrysanthou in memory of his daughter Irene. The creation of the park was financed by the government, the community, the association of expatriots and many friends of the family.
13. Natural trails
Nature lovers and all those who like hiking have many opportunities and challenges for their hobby. Eight nature paths around wait them for remarkable experiences. Each path has its own interest, but two of them, I think, are extraordinary: ‘Doxa si o Theos-Madari’ and ‘Spilies tou Digheni’. The first one has a very wild beauty and the second one has a remarkable historical interest.
Three starting points exist on roads around Spilia.. One of them is called ‘Moutti tis Choras’ Here three trails begin: “Mavra Dasi”, “Staorouthkia” and “Doxa si o Theos”. The second one is at the end of “Straorouthkia” and here the trails “Spilies toy Digeni”, “Agia Irene” and “Kourdali” start. The third one stands at the end of “Doxa si o Theos” and from here the trails “Madari” and ‘platania’ start. good starting points. Let’s observe each case separately.
14. Spilia traditional winery
This small winery exists in the yard of Andreas and Flora residence at the east edge of Spilia in the “Laou” location. It is a tradionally created room made by the hands of Andreas. Her he placed tvo large pithari (ceramic vessel) one coming from his grandfather Chrysanthos and the other one from his grand-grandfather Kasinos. Two smaller pithari from the same persons are there. A large daminzana (glass vessel) coming from his father Christos stands among them. In one corner you can see an old oak barrel and in the opposide one see also a traditional kazani (distilling copper vessel). Andreas and Flora are very proud for all of them.
The couple makes there three kinds of traditional wines from there vineyardsQ Mavro, Pampakas and Xynisteri. They distill also zivania and make liguers from it: Cherry and Androuklia (very rare one).
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