Information on Platanistasa Village
Platanistasa Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
Platanistasa Village is located in the Pitsilia region of the Nicosia District of Cyprus. The village lies close to Fterikoudi, Athilon, Livadia, Alona, Askas and Palaichori villages. Nicosia is the nearest city to the village, only 40 kilometres away.
Platanistasa Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
Platanistasa Village lies in a valley surrounded by the mountain tops of the Troodos Mountains and is built at an average height of 925 metres above sea level. The height of the village provides a cool, fresh environment from the scorching Cyprus summer heat, and also bears the brunt of the cold winter months, where snow falls, which is typical for the Troodos Mountain villages in the area.
The Serrachis River, also known as the Serrachis Peristerona River, runs through the village. The village is built along the banks of the river on three sides, like a horseshoe.
Platanistasa Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
The village survived mainly from agricultural farming with hazel nuts, olives produced for consumption and converted into olive oil and corn, which was made into flour and the production of Pourgouri. There is a small grape production and the grapes are used for consumption, made into wine and also used for the production of Zivania.
The old olive mill of the village has been renovated and the Platanistasa Village Folk Art Museum is now housed in the restored building.
The old water mill used fro the production of flour and Pourgouri may be found on the outskirts of the village.
Platanistasa Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
The current population of Platanistasa Village is around 150 permanent residents. The village residents are mainly elderly as most of the younger villagers have moved to nearby Nicosia for their employment and education requirements. The village also has a number of residents who commute on a daily basis to Nicosia.
Platanistasa Village, in common with many villages in Cyprus, is much busier and comes to life at the weekends, religious and public holidays and during the summer months, where many people come to enjoy the cool weather.
Platanistasa Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
The village also has an abundance of Hazel trees growing in the area and this is celebrated in an annual festival, The Platanistasa Village Hazel Tree Festival. The festival began in 2014 and is organised by the Expatriates Association of Platanistasa Village, and is held on the last weekend of July. Visitors may purchase fresh hazel nuts, still in their shells, or dried and packaged. There are also products made from the Hazel nut.
The Church Of Saint John The Theologian In Platanistasa Village Photo © CyprusExpat.co.uk
The Church Of Saint John The Theologian is the oldest church in the village. The church was built in the 17th Century on the grounds of an earlier existing church.