Peristerona Village

Figure 7. Church in village Peristerona

Peristerona Village is about a 10-minute drive from Polis. The area hasn’t been cultivated for many years and the hills are scattered with olive trees, carob trees, fruit trees, vines, wild flowers, herbs, and if you are lucky enough, you many even come across some elusive wild mushrooms. The views from this lovely village are superb with the Evretou Dam glistening in the valley and the Akamas peninsula stretching out behind it.

The name Peristerona comes from the Greek word ‘’peristeri’’ which stands for pigeons and in bygone years thousands of these birds made their homes in the nearby Atichoulli Gorge (Gorge of the Eagles). Nowadays the traditional feel of this mountain village attracts human visitors to make Peristerona their home. The local council is very proud of their village and is encouraging residents to renovate their old stone houses, so that the natural beauty of the village doesn’t become awash with modern, nondescript villas. In keeping with the character of the village, the council is also making a strenuous effort to persuade developers to build new houses in local stone.

As you approach the village you can’t fail to notice the magnificent building which houses the Byzantine Museum of Arsinoe, and the church of Saint Mamas built in 1911 next to it. The museum houses a collection of more than 60 icons dating from the 13th to the 19th century. Also on display are woodcarvings, metal artworks, sacerdotal vestments and embroideries and several manuscripts dating back to 1551. The grounds of the museum feature an olive press and several stone features representing various saints. September 2 is the religious feast of Saint Mamas and celebrates the homonym church of the village. Each year the village performs a ceremony, feast and festival to honor Saint Mamas. A large number of visitors, expatriates and friends meet in the village to honor the Saint of the village.