Page 32 - TREASURES 2023

E X P L ORE
Great Charming on, lured by the natural beauty of the village,

in 1878, the British also discovered Platres and
Village invested heavily in the area, a time after which it
became a well-known destination on the island
visited by international personas, members of
the royal families from Egypt, Greece and the UK,
Take a trip back in time to discover Cyprus’ diplomats, aristocrats and artists due to its natural
surrounding beauty and ideal climate. Today, this
wonderfully rich heritage and unique history with serene destination, known for its special character

a visit to the beautiful mountain village of Platres. and historical architecture, continues to attract
visitors for exactly the same reasons. Having been
lovingly maintained, Platres boasts a large number
AS A DESTINATION, Cyprus is perhaps best of both man-made and natural attractions such as
known, by many visitors, for its exquisite beaches the Victorian fountains in the old neighborhood
and coastline. Often overlooked, the country’s built during the rule of Queen Victoria, the Roxane
inner countryside is also truly blessed with both Koudounari fountain, the medieval Milia bridge,
natural and man-made beauty, especially in its paved paths that traverse the village surrounded
mountainous areas. Filled with traditional villages by abundant nature, as well as many churches
and architecture, these areas are cooler due to such as the church and the chapel of Panagia
their higher altitude, offering respite from the Faneromeni, the chapel of Panagia Samatziotissa
Having attracted member summer heat as well as a fascinating insight into (Iamatiki), and Agios Nikolaos chapel, which all
of royalty, politicians, a very different, traditional, hospitable way of provide an insight into the village’s history and
painters and intellectuals
throughout the 19th and life. One such destination is the beautiful village culture. Nature lovers are also guaranteed to be
20th centuries, the unique of Platres, located 39 km away from Limassol. enthralled with the surrounding nature trails such
and utterly beautiful village
of Platres continues to Steeped in history, Platres’ existence is first as the Caledonia nature trail, which leads to the
charm visitors today. As officially mentioned as one of the 119 villages Caledonia waterfalls, through a dense forest, the
Greek Nobel Prize awarded within the Limassol district that existed during Pouziaris nature trail, the second longest nature
poet George Seferis wrote:
"The nightingales won't let the Lusignan (Frankish Rule, 1192-1489 AD) and trail on Troodos, the Millomeris nature trail, and
you sleep in Platres". the Venetian Eras (1489-1571 AD). Much later finally the Milia nature trail.
Unique kilometres is protected as an EU Natura 2000 site, Protected as an EU Natura

2000 site, the horse shoe
resulting in perhaps the most successful turtle
shaped Lara Beach is a
Natural protection site in the Mediterranean with turtle picturesque natural beauty.
deserted and completely
populations increasing in the area since 1978
unspoilt conservation area
that offers visitors unique
through the implementation of earlier wildlife
Beauty protection programmes. Visitors are welcome
to the Lara Bay turtles conservation station – by
appointment – run by the state department of
Forests and Fishery, which operates in the area
setting up iron cages and warning signs so that
Lara Beach, on the Akamas the nests are not disturbed and the turtle eggs
peninsula, provides visitors are protected both from humans as well as
natural predators such as foxes, who are known to
with marvelous crystal feed on the unhatched turtle eggs.
clear waters and The turtles season when both turtle species lay
their eggs on Lara beach runs from the middle
an unspoilt natural habitat. of May to mid-August coinciding with the tourist
season. Therefore, in order to interfere with their
LOCATED ON the western side of Cyprus in the natural habitat as little as possible, visitors are
Akamas Peninsula, Lara Beach – also known requested to not bring umbrellas or inflatables
as Turtle Bay as it attracts large numbers of with them. Fishing, lighting fires, camping, driving
loggerhead and green turtles, who come to the on the beach as well as remaining there after the
area to lay their eggs – is the ideal destination for sun sets are also prohibited. Other factors to take
a day trip for visitors seeking seclusion and natural into account when visiting the area are to make PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
beauty. Known for its exceptionally rich terrestrial sure that you bring snacks and drinks as there is
and marine life, the surrounding Akamas only one restaurant and to take great care where
peninsula extending to an area of 230 square you walk along the beach.

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