|
| |
 Where tradition mingles with a cosmopolitan environment.
The roots of the village go very deep. In Hellenistic times the ancient city of Lefkolla was situated in the area but today nothing remains of the town. In Byzantine times Paralimni was a smaller settlement or, rather, is comprised of several smaller rural settlements.
Paralimni is the largest community of the rich plain in the southest fringe of Cyprus and is known as "Kokkinochoria" It took its name from the characteristic red colour of the earth there. Paralimni is about 6,5 Kilometres from the sea to the south, and about a 5 kilometre area to the east of Paralimni falls within the boundaries of the Paralimni municipality. It is known as "PROTARAS"(Fig Tree Bay). This area has seen tremendous economic and touristic development in recent years.
The roots of the village go very deep. In Hellenistic times the ancient city of Lefkolla was situated in the area but today nothing remains of the town. In Byzantine times, Paralimni was a smaller settlement or, rather, comprised several smaller rural settlements. The largest of these must have been situated in the area between the old village and the present gymnasium where the church of Ayios Demetrios is today. This is evident from the remains of the settlement which are scattered in fields nearby in the form of many small stones. The local farmers have often turned up various objects with their ploughs which testify to the existence of the settlement. The most significant of these finds are various Byzantine coins.
From the settlement and its environs there is a panoramic view of the sea. Perhaps this was the cause of its abandonment and destruction. In the 7th century Arab raids into Cyprus began. These pirates were the scourge of the inhabitants of the island, arriving on the shores in ships and pillaging the coastal communities.
The local inhabitants took various measures to defend themselves, the most important and safest being to move the village to a place not visible from the sea. This appears to be the reason for the abandonment of the settlement in the Ayios Demetrios area, the inhabitants having moved to a position which now forms the central part of the Paralimni municipality, and which is not visible from the sea.
There seems to have been other small rural settlements in the region which were gradually abandoned, or joined up to form the new village of Paralimni. Evidence for this is provided by the many chapels around Paralimni, some of which are today situated in the inhabited parts of the old village.
Paralimni took its name from a seasonal lake which forms west of the community, between Paralimni and Sotira. This area is the lowest in the region and is a natural hollow collecting rainwater from all parts of Paralimni and the neighbouring hills. Thus, every winter this rainwater formed a lake and lasted until the summer. It constituted a wonderful natural habitat for migratory birds dependent on water as well as other species of birds.
Karayiannas Complex 2 is located on the outskirts of Paralimni, just a couple of minutes walk away to all the main amenities of the town where you will find all main banks, hypermarket, schools, shops etc. Karayiannas Complex 2 includes quality 1, 2, 3 bedroom and penthouse apartments with communal swimming pool. A lift is also provided and each apartment has an allocated parking space. |
| |
|
|
|
