President Nicos Anastasiades will inaugurate the landmark elevator in Kalopanayiotis on Sunday, June 21, as part of the ceremonies to mark the revival of the traditional centre of the agrotourism village to attract more visitors.
The elevator project, that is 50% financed by EU structural and regional funds, was built at a cost of 1.4 mln euros to solve the problem of transporting tourists and locals from the upper levels of the village to the traditional centre below, without affecting or damaging the scenic and cobbled narrow historic streets.
President Anastasiades will inaugurate the elevator at 10.30am and will be the first to officially use it, by descending to the historic part and strolling around that part of the village to review the whole project together with Nicosia District Officer Marios Panayides and community leader Yiannakis Papadouris.
The visit will continue with the inauguration of the ‘Myrianthousa’ health and spa centre of the Casale Panayiotis residences and an official ceremony at the conference centre at noon.
So far, some 10.5 mln euros of public funds have been spent on infrastructure projects in the village and the surrounding areas, in addition to the 20 mln invested by the private sector, such as the Casale Panayiotis, which has become an attraction in itself, luxury apartments, agrotourism units, cafés, natural pathways and cycle paths.
On the opposite embankment lies one of the holiest shrines of Christendom in Cyprus, the Ayios Ioannis (St John) Lampadistis monastery from the 11th century which is a UNESCO World Heritage site with its immaculate Byzantine icons and frescoes, some of which have been restored and placed in the adjacent museum, well worth a visit.
Other attractions in the area include museums, the medieval bridge, the water mill, and more traditional or folk art. Kalopanayiotis used to be famous for its mineral water source and fresh water springs, while thousands of visitors every year will hike or cycle in the surrounding Marathasa valley, pick fruit or just relax in one of the many picnic sites and parks.
Information for accommodation is available on the community website www.kalopanayiotis.com as well as the Casale Panayiotis http://casalepanayiotis.com
