Venetian Bridges Tris Elies Nature Trail Paphos Troodos Cyprus

Tris Elies (Three Olives) is a village at the north-western end of the Limassol province.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iimVN39rH8U
The village is built at an average altitude of around a thousand metres from sea level. The village receives an average of 850mm of rain annually
The name of the village according to Nearhos Klerides is owed to the existence of three olive trees, a rare occasion for such a mountainous area.
During the Venetian times between 1489-1570, the village was one of 24 villages of the Marathasa district which were listed as property of the Venetian Government, while the British occupation saw a population increase. By 1946 it rose to 406 .

The village, like all other villages in the area, was affected by the large population shifts to the cities, reducing the village population to 129 by 1982 and in 2001 the number came down to 65. Today there are just 57 people living in the village.
It is believed that Ayios Charalambos lived and became a martyr here, at the end of the 2nd century A.C. at the Tris Elies area. A fragment of the Saint’s bone is kept at the church of Panayia (Madonna).

One of the key figures during the Turkish occupation, Archbishop Chrisanthos (1767- 1810) originated from Tris Elies. His family house is still preserved even today and bares his father’s name “the house of Konomou”.

The Bishops of Kitiou Meletios (1776- 1779) and Kitiou Chrisanthos A’ (1797- 1810) as well as national martyr Paphos Chrisanthos B’ (1805- 1821) originated from Tris Elies. More information about the bishiops may be found on the Important People page.

Some great sights of the area are the Venetian bridges, the nature walk and the sulphur spring. The bridge was built in the 17th century and it’s possible that the great tree is of the same age.

Flora and fauna:

Within the village there are many perennial trees which should be declared as protected. These trees are: 2 pine trees at the entrance of the community, the oak tree at Saint Andronikos, the oak tree at the Arkokannavi location, the oak tree at the Lakkoti location, the plane tree of Kossina and the plane tree of the Kriou Potamou bridge.

The village is filled with green flora mixed with the dark grey colour of the volcanic rock surfaces of the Troodos Mountain. The lush green is supplemented even further with the colors of the terracotta roof tiles and wood of the traditional houses. Depending on the season, the autumn colors of the deciduous trees and bushes compliment the evergreen plants whilst in the spring the white-pink color of the bloomed almond, cherry and other fruit trees, bring a fresh look to the village. In the wild the dominant tree species are pine trees and chestnut trees.

Local produce:

The locals cultivate apples, cherries , pears, prunes and grapes. Characteristic local produce such as Paluze (must jelly), sutziouko (must-stick with almonds), spoon sweets, wine, zivania, is produced here during the autumn months. The traditional hospitality of the Cypriots is typical of the Mediterranean region and tourists enjoy being treated with enthusiasm and a warm smile.
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