Nestling between two steep slopes at a height of 920 metres above sea level, Palechori is a real jewel of the Pitsilia region and one of the most characteristic villages of the Cyprus mountains.

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The meaning of the Greek word Palalchori is 'old village' and this is certainly true, for documents dating back to the 13th century AD refer to the village as old at that time, implying that it had been built much earlier. Palekhori was founded during the Byzantine era, and in 1297 King Henry II gave the village to the Knights Hospitallers of the Small Com- manderie. Even today the surnames of some inhabitants have Latin roots

Large and picturesque, Palekhori often reminds visitors of the villages of mountain Italy. Most of its houses are typical of folk
architecture; stone-built with tiled roofs usually covered by climbing vines. The scenic beauty of the place is accentuated by the amphitheatre- style arrangement of its houses on opposite mountain peaks, with the Serrahis river flowing between them.

Vines are everywhere in Palekhori, and the grapes are used in wine production. Strawberies produced in the area are considered to be the best in Cyprus. Apple trees, pear, quince and peach trees almonds and chestnuts complete the rich vegetation that gives speciat colour to the village. As well as admiring their surroundings, visitors have the opportunity of sampling and buying the delicious locally-produced khiromeria (smoked pork legs) and sausages, which are famous all over the island.

The inhabitants of the village toil hard on their small terraced plots on the steep slopes. With the building of a dam of 620,000 cubic metres as part of the Pitsilia Integrated Development Scheme, the land area for cultivation has been increased, enabling locals to stay in their village. Palekhori was the first village in the Nicosia district where land con- solidation was implemented.

Three of the best known heroes of the EOKA liberation struggle, Kyriakos Matsis. Michalakis Karaolis and Nicos Georgiou, were born in Palekhori.
On a hill overlooking the village stands the statue of the Cypriot Mother, who raised chil- dren that shed their blood for their country's freedom. The Cypriot Mother, with Palekhori at her feet, looks proudly at the glorious mountains of Pitsilia, where EOKA fighters had their hide-outs and fought the British Army. Hero Cregoris Afxentiou was active in this area and his hide-out has recently been restored.

Palekhori has four churches: Panayia Chrysopantanassa, built in the 16th century, St. Luke's, built on the site of an order church dating to the 10th century, St. George's - a
very old church that was re-built in 1864, and the Church of the Saviour with beautiful 15th century frescoes. Other points of interest in the village are the medieval olive press of St Luke, recently restored with the help of the Leventis Foundations and the St Anargyri Chapel with folk art frescoes

A stroll through the narrow streets of the village is a delight in itself, affording visitors the chance of admiring the solid stone buildings erected by the former inhabitants of the village who kept the world of Hesiod very much alive till the 1950's. Afterwards, the dappled shade of tall maple trees in the cobbled village square provides a relaxing refuge in which to enjoy a tiny cup of local coffee or a cool drink. Most memorably, there's the chance of talking to the hospitable people of the village who convey the genuine warmth of rustic village life.

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