Amaxotos Cycling Route

Amaxotos Cycling Route

Few words

The main Pissouri village is located about 3 kilometers from the sea on the Cape Aspro ridge, and about 500 feet above sea level. The whole stretch is an absolutely gorgeous spot where the waves that softly lap up against a pebbled and sandy shoreline, partly cradled by the rocky cliffs that drop down to the sea, making the whole setting picture perfect.

The old carriage road – ’’Amaxotos’’

The old carriage road, ‘’Amaxotos’’, was constructed in 1850, during the Turkish rule, and was reconstructed in 1878 during the British rule. The road is, located on the outskirts of Limassol. It is said that the ancient word ‘’Amaxitos’’ meaning carriage road, was misinterpreted by the Turks who didn’t know the island’s language well, which resulted in the word ‘’Amaxotos’’. The old carriage road facilitated the transfer of agricultural products from and to the pier of Pissouri village’s Port.

Aspri, Ranti

Aspri was a rural area where residents had livestock farms. It took its name after the white soil. Ranti is a forested area also known as ‘’Rantidi Forest’’ and is found on the borders of Limassol and – Pafos regions. It is considered one of the key natural beauties of Cyprus.

Lime Furnace and Gypsum Furnace

The Lime Furnace and Gypsum Furnace in the area of Amaxotos provided lime and gypsum. The difference between limestone and gypsum lies mainly in their composition, and in the process of their conversion from the form of stones to lime, with limestone needing a higher firing temperature and gypsum dissolving more easily in water. The service life of the lime kiln and the plaster kiln was ten years.

Flourmill

The flourmill was built to support villages in the area , by milling the wheat. Flourmills functioned as the first sample of today’s bakeries. They would supply the villages in the regions with flour for homes use. This is how the famous baked goods of Cyprus such as Cypriot pittas and sourdough bread were born.

Paliofiniko & Myth

This was an agricultural region with palm trees, hence the name. Paliofiniko was known for the agricultural and livestock produce which earned the daily income of the residents. The strong presence of Pissouri in the production of Cypriot products such as halloumi, carob, almonds and Cypriot sultanina grapes must be noted.

Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock)

Based on Byzantine history the rocky area and the gigantic stones are connected to the myth of Digenis Akritas. According to the myth, the hero threw the bulky stones in the sea to keep the Saracen Arabs away (7 th – 10 th century). The name “Petra tou Romiou” comes from that hero. It is said that sometimes the waves form a human figure which dissolves in sea foam as they break.

The old slaughterhouse

The old slaughterhouse is found 200 meters from the Lime Furnace. The slaughter house served the residents of Pissouri village who had livestock farms. The slaughterhouse closed down in 1980.

Cyprus Rally in Pissouri

The history of the Cyprus Rally begins in 1970. The organisation of Pissouri Rally begun in 1980 as part of the local races before the Cyprus Rally was included in the World Championship in 2000. Drivers from all over Cyprus and from other countries participated in the Pissouri Rally drivers. It was organised around 3-4 times per year. In 2005 the residential area of the village was extended interfering with the rally route, therefore for safety reasons the rally was cancelled.

Skotini Birdge

The area is located west of Pissouri village on the Limassol-Pafos Road. It features a, bridge which was built during the Turkish rule. Its name means ‘dark’ and comes from the fact that the sun set earlier in the area than in other regions. According to one of the many myths surrounding the name of Pissouri village, which means ‘’darkness’’, during the persecution of the Christians many have found refuge in secluded regions such as this one.

Station & Fountain

The station with the fountain was built during the English rule in 1953. This was the begining of the tradition of villagers carrying water in pitchers. The fountains, based on Cypriot tradition, became a meeting point for the village girls where they shared their news and a point for secret dates for couples. In 1965 the direct supply of water to homes begun, hence bringing to an end the tradition of fountains, which remain to offer water to passers-by.

The myth

It is the location, where-according to the myth, Aphrodite, the Goddess of love and beauty, was born. The ancient Greek Goddess was born of the sea spray and blown there by the winds, Zephyr and Aura, as Isiodos narrates in his work Theogonia. The region is part of the Cultural Route of Aphrodite.