Information on Pentalia Village in Cyprus
Pentalia Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
Pentalia Village is situated in the Paphos District of Cyprus and lies close to Amargeti, Galataria, Kolineia and Agia Marina villages.
There are in fact 2 Pentalia Villages, as the village split into two villages. The reason being that the village was vulnerable to landslides due to rainfall not being adequately drained from the soil which the village is built on. The result of this meant the soil moving and shaking violently, causing large scale damage to the houses and roads.
The Old Pentalia Village still has visible scars of the damage caused, with many collapsed homes and buildings still in evidence. There are also many homes still standing which have large cracks along the walls and floors.
The Cyprus government decided in 1994 to arrange for a new village to be built a few kilometres away, also named Pentalia Village. The villagers from the original village were offered compensation of €15,000 per person to move to the new village
Pentalia Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
The old Pentalia Village has a permanent residential population of just 27 persons, but as with most villages in the area, the population increases during public and school holidays, as well as during the hot summer months. Pentalia Village was once crowned as the largest small village in Cyprus.
Pentalia Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
The old Pentalia Village had a population of over 5,000 people in 1980, with a bustling village centre with many shops, restaurants, banks, post offices as well as many other supporting services. The residents slowly moved away from the village as the attraction of working in the nearby towns and cities, meant a higher standard of living and of course, higher salaries.
Pentalia Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
The old Pentalia Village lies at an altitude of 800 metres above sea level and receives snow during the winter months. The height also means that it is also cool during the very hot summer months. The village has retained it’s old Cypriot charm, with the typical old Cypriot architecture in abundance.
Pentalia Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
The village survived from agriculture, mainly producing grapes and olives, as the climate was well suited for these crops. Pentalia Village is also well known for it’s Commandaria wine, a strong sweet port type of wine, which is only produced in Cyprus.
Pentalia Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
The Ayios Georgios church, which dominates the village, lies in the centre of the village and dates back to 1910. The church has recently undergone major renovations in order to preserve the traditional architecture.
Just outside old Pantalia Village lies the Panagia Of Sintis Monastery, also known as Panagia Tou Sinti Monastery. The monastery dates back to the 16th century.