History

Location

About thirty kilometers west of Limassol perched on hills Pissouri is the 3rd largest administrative village in the province of Limassol and the 10th most populous. Its area includes the Limassol-Paphos border, borders the villages of Alectora, Avdimou and Plataniskia as well as a large coastline of almost 10 kilometers to the south. In its western part, near Cape Aspro, it is covered by a dense pine forest, which is the southernmost of the island, while the flora of the area is complemented by vineyards, carob trees, olives and a plethora of Mediterranean vegetation.

Name

The ancient city "Boosoura", which is located on the borders of the village, is a possible origin of the name of Pissouri, as reported by the ancient historian-geographer Strabo. Also, some events that happened on very dark nights may have given the village its name, since in the Cypriot dialect the word "pissouri" means dark.

According to a tradition, 300 "Alamani" saints who came to Cyprus for asceticism from Palestine, anchored in Pissouri during a very dark night. In another tradition, it is reported that the Holy Fathers who were persecuted in the early years of Christianity, met in this area one dark night.

Finally it is believed that the interpretation of the name of the village is simpler. Tar used to be produced in the area and that is how the village got its name. Pine tar must have been produced in the area during the Byzantine period and during the Frankish period.

Products

Pissouri receives an annual rainfall of 447 millimeters. Its main production is the grapes of the "Sultanina" variety, which are produced mainly in the enchanting valley that extends to the gulf of Pissouri. Olives, carob trees and a few almond trees are also grown. Also known throughout Cyprus is the halloumi "To Pissourkotiko" made from 100% goat's milk is a product of tradition and quality of the region, which due to the morphology and flora of the region the milk produced is of the highest quality both in taste and fat content which give a completely different taste experience to the final product.

The Community Council, having in mind the tradition and quality of Pissurkotiki Halloumi, is now promoting the construction of a Halloumi Museum in the Community where tradition, present and future will be highlighted.

 Population

The village has experienced continuous population growth. In 1881 the inhabitants were 482, increasing to 956 in 1931 (860 Greek Cypriots and 96 Turkish Cypriots) and in 1960 amounted to 1072 (1053 Greek Cypriots and 19 Turkish Cypriots). After 1964 because of intercommunal riots that followed the Turkish Cypriot mutiny, the few Turkish Cypriots of Pissouri left the village and moved to neighboring separate Turkish Cypriot villages. In 1973, all Greek Cypriots of Pissouri were 1030. Today the villagers including foreign residents of the village are estimated to 1800.

Tourism development

From the 1980s, the area of ​​Pissouri begins to develop into an important tourist center of the province of Limassol and the whole of Cyprus. After the construction of Pissouri Hotel, the current Columbia resort, in the Gulf of Pissouri, enforced with the local hospitality , the crystal clear waters and the enchanting landscape, the area hosts a significant number of foreign and local holidaymakers.

Hotel units, tourist villages, apartments as well as rental houses and a variety of restaurants that cater to all gastronomic tastes, turned the picturesque bay of Pissouri and the core of the Community into a cosmopolitan resort.

The proximity of the Community with important archeological sites such as Kourion, with golf courses as well as with Paphos airport, but also the relatively short distance with the urban centers of Limassol and Paphos, make Pissouri a remarkable tourist area with huge prospects.

Pissouri beach, which is awarded every year with the honorary title of Blue Flag, is the trademark of the region. The pebbles alternate with dense sand and the beach with the crystal clear blue waters is surrounded by the cliffs of Cape Aspro and Melanda in a wild and unspoiled environment.

In the area the visitor can practice water sports, walk on the beach promenade, work out in the open-air community gym and relax on the sun loungers with the Mediterranean sun.

In the heart of the village the visitor will be thrilled with the picturesque pedestrianized square, will taste the best delicacies in the local taverns, will enjoy performances in the community amphitheater and will be impressed by the view from the valley of Linidia, the forest of Oreites, the west Limassol province all the way to Troodos mountains.