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                                      Cyprus Village Peristerona Brought Back to Life

For those of you who love a taste of traditional Cyprus, a visit to the village of Peristerona, just a 25-minute drive from Nicosia towards the mountains, is an absolute must. A report in the Cyprus Mail this week said that the village has recently been transformed from one which you might have previously driven past, to a village which you should now go out of your way to visit.

The village of Peristerona has been lucky enough to receive funds from an EU scheme to revamp traditional villages. The village square, the church and nearby houses and shops have either already been renovated or will be in the near future. Peristerona’s church is one of only two churches in Cyprus with five domes and dates back to the 12th century. “It really is a marvellous piece of architecture with history and an ancient chest with holy relics in the apse,” said the church’s priest, Father Michalis.

Plans have been afoot since 1998 to restore Peristerona’s centre, but it wasn’t until 2005, when the EU stepped in to fund the project, that the first phase of restoration could take place. The plan was to renovate the shops surrounding the church, including the modernisation of two coffee shops and then the knocking down of another which stands in the church’s courtyard. “We wanted the church to be given a clean surrounding and to create an uncluttered square,” said Father Michalis.
One of the houses renovated as part of the EU scheme has become the current Cultural and Environmental Foundation, and has all kinds of uses for village residents. There are programmes and educational training for children and residents of the village, including, among other things, computer lessons for the 21st Century and music lessons where children are taught all about ancient musical instruments.
 
Peristerona was chosen for funding partly because of its history as a mixed village - the Foundation is also dedicated to bi-communal activities and relations.  “Peristerona was once a mixed village where Turkish Cypriots lived with Greek Cypriots,” said Petros Lazarou, Treasurer of the Foundation. “That is also why we have a mosque, so we’re focused on creating harmony amongst the two communities.”

The second phase of the restoration will start next year, when there will be a new school and a safe road leading to the church. The first stage of restoration took two years and many had initial reservations about the project. “Oh, many residents were hesitant at first,” said community leader Michalakis Fotiou. “They had their doubts about change before and during the restoration, but now they’re very happy with the results.”Some shops, including a barber’s and a betting shop, remain modern with aluminum window frames and a not-so traditional look, yet they merely add to the diversity of this village. The traditional coffee shops are now more reminiscent of cafes, but the overall picture is one of a village brought back to life with the beautiful church as its centre piece. So why not pay Peristerona a visit!

Author: Anne Hall