30/1/2023
Among the most impressive places of environmental interest in Nicosia that are worth visiting are the “Pikrovrisi of Merika” trail and the Xyliatou Dam.
The “Picrovrisi of Merika” trail takes its name from the historical natural spring located at the starting point and from the settlement that was located in the area of the trail’s end in the Medieval times. The excursion site of the “Merika” Community operates at this point.
The trail’s route allows the hiker to choose the route he or she wants to take. The trail has a length of 4,7Km and it takes about 1 hour to walk it. It is an impressive trail located very close to Nicosia. It starts from the Venetian bridges proposed for inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage List, on the Maroullena River and ends at the excursion site of the Kalo Horio Orini Community “Merika”.
The hiker can admire the riverbed of the Marullena River with its impressive rocks that attract enormous global geological interest and are studied by geoscientists all over the world. The most ancient natural canyons and natural caves that have been created over the centuries awe and amaze visitors. As one climbs upwards, the view of the riverbed becomes panoramic. The lush natural vegetation is majestic, constantly changing and keeps the hiker’s interest alert throughout the trail.
At the village of Xyliatos is the Xyliatos Dam, which is one of the most beautiful dams in Cyprus. It was built in the 1980s to irrigate 306 hectares of arable land. Nature developed the dam into an artificial lake in the centre of the forest, a green oasis for visitors. There is also an excursion area in the area and one can combine hiking and cycling on the Panagia Araka – Cross of Agiasmaty Trail, which starts from the Church of the Holy Cross of Agiasmaty, ends at the Church of Panagia Araka and covers a distance of seven kilometres. The excursion area is included in the European program “natura 2000” and is covered with greenery. The visitor can admire the pine trees and the wild vegetation of the mountains surrounding the dam by following the perimeter path. Finally, the existence of large populations of frogs in the dam is noteworthy, especially a rare species of water snake, which has attracted the interest of many researchers.
The EduTourism project is implemented within the framework of the INTERREG V-A Cooperation Programme “Greece – Cyprus 2014-2020” and is co-funded by the European Union (E.T.P.A.) and the National Funds of Greece and Cyprus.
