Pissouri, Cyprus
 At one time Pissouri village,
on the hill, had a fishing jetty a few kilometres away down the hill, known as Pissouri
jetty. Now they are two distinct communities, Pissouri village and Pissouri Beach. The
total population in the summer is said to reach around 1100 people, about half of whom are
Cypriots, the rest foreign, mainly British, residents and visitors.
Some of the guide books about Cyprus devote a sentence
to Pissouri, some even devote a paragraph to the village and its small
beach resort. None of them do justice to the unique character and
attractiveness of Pissouri to the visitor and holiday maker. the Cypriot
character has been retained, it is still very much a working village of
farmers, some of whom have now become involved in farming tourists with
varying degrees of success. Its very Cypriot character is what attracts
the visitor, holiday maker and expatriate residents. Fortunately this is
recognised by many of those in the village. From time to time fears are
expressed that too rapid development will see another Agia Napa spring up
from the vineyards of Pissouri and be built here - but this will not
happen - at least for many decades. The character of the beach resort and
the village is assured.
The motorway has brought Pissouri closer to the larger cities and
resorts of Limassol and Paphos, but the distinctiveness of the area is
likely to be retained.
The
Pissouri area is famous for growing grapes, mainly in the valley between the main roads
and the sea that leads to Pissouri Beach.
Pissouri is about a 30 minute drive away from either Paphos
(Pafos) or Limassol (Lemesos) for those who want to see more urban life than Pissouri can offer.
With the kind permission of the Pissouri Residents Association, you can now find
a diary of events in Pissouri.
Located just a few kilometres to the west of Pissouri is the famous
Aphrodite's Rock, seen here at sunset.
Pissouri Village
A street in Pissouri
Some non Cypriots try to describe Pissouri as somewhere where time has
stood still. That is not true. At the turn of the century Pissouri Village has managed
something which is fairly rare, perhaps almost unique, in those parts of the Mediterranean
which attract western European tourists. It has managed to retain its traditional Cypriot
character, while adapting very successfully to welcome visitors, and the money that they
bring, to the village. There has been a limited amount of, mostly, well judged development
in and around the village. Visitors can find almost anything they want in Pissouri - there
are several shops and just every need is available. As far as tavernas,
restaurants and bars are concerned, there is an amazing number and variety - and they
are all good, serving food and drink of exceptional quality. There are also two banks in
Pissouri village square.
Pissouri Square
During the summer there is a so called 'Cyprus night' in the lovely
traffic free village square, with dancing and music. Although the idea is perhaps that it
provides entertainment for the visitors to Pissouri, it is also true that a significant
number of those present every week are the villagers themselves, thus it really is a true
Cyprus night.
Cyprus Night in the Square every Wednesday in the summer. Jane Early from
Australia gets ready to add another glass.
The views from Pissouri village and its surroundings are spectacular.
It is set on the eastern slopes of the ridge reaching the sea at Cape Aspro, about 500
feet high on average - the highest point on the ridge is about 800 feet. To the East it is
possible to see the countryside and the shore line all the way to Limassol and even
beyond, and to the north the whole of the Troodos range, including Mount Olympus, at more
than 6000 ft, the highest mountain on the island.
Hungarian dancers at the Pissouri Amphitheatre, July 2004
At the beginning of Shakespeare's "As You Like It", the dancers perform for
the lawful duke, as the last rays of the sun disappear from the tops of the
hills towards Limassol.
On 12/13 August 2000, the new amphitheatre was opened in Pissouri
village. A booklet on Pissouri was published for the occasion, and its information on the church of Saint Andrew, and on vine growing
in the Pissouri area is now available.
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