Episkopi village

LOCATION: Not to be confused with Episkopi near Limassol, this Episkopi lies about 11 kilometres northeast of Paphos along the E710 and the first thing you can’t fail to notice as you enter the village from the Konia road is a gigantic cliff (Episkopi Rock) towering high above you.

POPULATION: Episkopi’s population of about 200 increases during the holiday season.

AMENITIES: There’s a coffee shop in Episkopi which also serves as a local community centre where the villagers can meet and catch up on all the latest news and events. About 1.5 kilometres north of the village there is a recently-established picnic site. It is an idyllic location on the east bank of the Ezousa, surrounded by greenery.

The village still retains a traditional feel, with many old, one-storey houses lining the steep, narrow roads. Near the base of the huge cliff at the village’s entrance, an old stone drinking fountain still remains. Travel a few metres further and you will come across the church of Agios Ilarionas, who is the patron saint of the village. The church dates back to the 1100s, but take a look up the craggy cliff and you will see the 20th century church of St Ilarionas. This saint was born in 290 AD and was a contemporary of Constantine the Great. After arriving from Palestine he led the life of a hermit and was buried in his small garden in 371 AD. The cave where he lived can still be seen.

For the intrepid explorer, the river valleys located around Episkopi are full of hidden treasures. Such as  rumbling water mills, Venetian bridges, old chapels, and deserted villages. Episkopi also attracts many artists to the area where they can enjoy peace and quiet and let their imaginations run wild.

The community of Episkopi is part of the Kiláthes (Valleys) Project, for the sustainable development and management of the river valleys of eastern Paphos (1999-2002).

Seven villages participated in the first phase of the Kiláthes Project for the regeneration of the area. The Project studied the area in depth and confirmed the importance of both its natural and manmade heritage. The area’s geological formations and the existence of the valleys with their perennial water have resulted in a wealth of species and habitats. Within the area lies one of the island’s most interesting monuments: the Episkopi Rock, and one of the most elegant historical monuments: the 16th century Sindi Monastery, recipient of a Europa Nostra award for excellence in restoration (1997). The restoration began in 1994 and the award was in recognition of the "successful maintenance and restoration of the building with the use of the right technical methods and with respect to the maintenance of its original character."

The Project has proposed a management plan for the Kiláthes area based on the principles of sustainable development and protection of the landscape, the cultural and architectural heritage, and the environment. It makes a number of proposals for the area, including the development of a panoramic route connecting the villages as well as certain initiatives to be undertaken in each community to make it more attractive to visitors and locals.

The proposed initiatives for Episkopi are:

• Utilisation of the old church of Agios Ilarionas (Saint Ilarionas)
• Utilisation of Episkopi’s rock and creation of a square at the foothill of the rock
• Re-use of the school building
• Utilisation of the contemporary church of  Agios Ilarionas as an observation post marking the end of the walk routes
• Utilisation of the large disused village school as a mark or the end of the walk routes inside the village
• Development of a nature trail on a circuit route along which various interesting flora and fauna may be seen.