I ssue 1 Jul y- August 2016 Agios Am vrosios Lazania Agios Dim it rios Leivadia Agios Theodoros Lem yt hou Pit silias Linou Agios Therapon Mallia Agios Ioannis Milikouri Agridia Moniat is Agros Mout oullas Troodos e-newspaper Alona Nikit ari Am iant os Oikos Arsos Orount a Askas Paliom ylos Vasa Koilaniou Palaichori Morfou Vouni Pano Plat res Galat a Pedoulas Gerakies Pelendri Dora Plat anist asa Dym es Polist ipos Eurychou Pot am it issa Zoopigi Pot am iou Kakopet ria Pot am i Kalopanagiot is Prodrom os Kam inaria Sarant i Kam pos Sinaoros Kannavia Spilia Kat ydat a Tem pria Sponsored by Kat o Mylos Treis Elies Kissousa Tsakkist ra Koilani Farm akas Kourdali Flasou Kyvides Ft erikoudi Kyperount a Chandria Lagoudera Phot o: Manos Manoli Global UNESCO Troodos Geopar k (Source: Geological Sur vey Depar t m ent ) [email protected] @twitterhandle Global UNESCO Troodos Geopar k WELCOME TO TROODOS P h o t Constantia o : Achilleos M a n o GEOPARK VISITOR CENTER s M a n o The Center is opened officially for just a few months and it has already viewed by almost l i 2500 visitors. The Troodos Geopark has attracted tourists from all over the world: from USA to Dubai, and from New Zealand to Denmark. Local and foreign visitors learned for the geological heritage and the geodiversity of the Geopark. The long history of the Geopark mines, which is presented here, impressed geoscientists and others, giving information for a part of the island?s history, unknown to the most Cypriots. Groups that visited the Center are amateur or professional geoscientists, nature enthusiasts and Troodos friends. Pupils and students from Cyprus and abroad included the Center into their educational visits. Each visitor looks for something different in the Troodos Geopark. Some were looking information on geology, archaeology, metallurgy, architecture, gastronomy, religion monuments, flora and fauna and in general for the environment of the area. Others discovered the geotrails, mines and geosites of the Geopark, that were established to explore geology outside the Center. This is the Troodos Geopark Visitor Center and we hope, with your participation, to offer even more in the future. So stay tune! Photo: Manos Manoli Global UNESCO Troodos Geopar k Constantia Achilleos Geologist - Officer of Troodos Geopark Visitors Center [email protected] OUR GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE The aim of Troodos Geopark establishment is the protection and display of our ?geological heritage?. One term which is unknown, and yet important to the island?s history. The geological history of Cyprus began about 92 million years ago with the formation of Troodos rocks and continues until today with the continuous uplift of the island. Consequently the creation of rocks and minerals that consist the raw materials from ancient times occurred. Since the Paleolithic Age settlements in the island were constructed by indigenous rocks, besides tools and weapons of the principal residents were made of stone. Later at the Bronze and Iron Ages, the metal-enriched margins of Troodos were exploited for the manufacture of metallic tools, coins, figurines and jewellery. However copper production extremely increased during the Roman Period where it was used even in medicine. Traditional architecture is specifically distinctive of Troodos geology. Dry stone constructions as well as building and decorative stones of the island are samples of bedrock in each region. Besides a group of rocks classified as ?natural pigments? were used as paints in ancient churches, and earlier on pottery. Nowadays raw materials for many industrial products, such as paints, cement and until recently pipes from asbestos, derive from underground. The bedrock, enriched with metallic elements, formed the fertilised topsoil of the area for the production of agricultural but also farmed products: the ?geoproducts?. On the other hand, biodiversity and also fauna characterize the diversity in rocks (?geodiversity?). Finally water resources and climate of Troodos are only due to its rocks? features and uplift of the area. It is proven that our geological heritage is important, not only for the natural and cultural landscape, but also for the residents? wellbeing and the welfare of the island. It gives nature splendor that someone can enjoy at the geotrails and nature trails. Hence the Troodos Geopark occurs as an ?open? museum and university for its visitors, giving them the opportunity for education and recreation. Phot o: Christ os Zoum idis Global UNESCO Troodos Geopar k Phot o: Christ os Zoum idis TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE: THE DIALOGUE OF MAN WITH GEOLOGY The cultural landscape of Troodos has been shaped by the bedrock and the skills of the reCsidoennstst.a Tnrtaidai tAiocnahli allrechoistecture is formed by simple structures and forms, in which are imGpreiontleodg itshte -h Oistfofircy,e cr uosft oms and way of life of the rural society. Resulting built landscape coTexroisotsd hoasr mGoenoipcaarllky with the environment, and therefore traditional settlements seems to be theV eisxitteonrssi oCne onft ethre natural landscape. At the Troodos region, the stone still used is named ?diabase?. It is the rock that covers the largest part of Troodos and derives from the Sheeted [email protected] Dykes. Meaning it was formed near the surface of an ancient ocean and in the space where lava derived from deeper layers towards the surface. Usually, though, they appear various pieces of other rocks of Troodos with diabase. Areas closed to rivers, pebbles are used mainly in walls and pavements. The ?stone of Troodos? is used to build houses, churches and other buildings, to pave streets, paths and courtyards, and to construct walls in paths. The presence of dry stone structures is usual and their technique is based on the use of stone as the only construction material, without the addition of binding filling. Purpose of structures is in agriculture and this human interference is obvious but compatible with landscape. Building techniques depend on the properties of stone: from its capability for treatment and cutting, and also its resistance to external factors. In Troodos villages the stone is difficult to be cut because is hard and therefore it is usually used in its natural form. Nowadays the cultural landscape and the character of traditional settlements are altered due to treats that they face. Their abandonment and degradation but also their alteration because of new techniques and materials in construction, endanger the historical identification of Troodos. Sustainable development can save the traditional architecture and preserve its geological relation. Phot o: Ali Sale Cyprus Breakfast climbs for Troodos After its successful implementation at major seaside hotels, Cyprus Breakfast is now climbing up to reach the hotels at the rural regions of Troodos. For the Troodos SGaevovpaasr kM raelgioiotins, the concept of the Cyprus Breakfast can form part of a wider plan of creating a destination brand FbIaLsAeGdR oOnT tIhKeI authentic gastronomy and of the mountain and the local cuisine of the various villages that make up this CuOnNiqSuUeL CTAypNrTioSt rural setting. [email protected] Hotels at the Troodos region need to combine local gastronomy with a presentation that resembles the traditional character but not necessarily follow a folkloric setup. This is one of the aspects that the Cyprus Breakfast program is now aiming at training hoteliers as a way to create a brand new identity for the breakfast. The first hotel to have been awarded the Cyprus Breakfast certification was, since 2015, New Helvetia Hotel at Platres. In June we plan to award the Cyprus Breakfast program to another three hotels namely that have successfully managed to adopt the concept at their breakfast buffets. Troodos Hotel is due to receive its certification whilst preparatory actions are under way at Casale Panayiotis (Kalopanayiotis) and Livadia Hotel (Kyperounta). Interest has already been triggered by other hotels who wish to implement the Cyprus Breakfast and the Cyprus Breakfast team is preparing for training sessions that will cover the whole of the region for educating local chefs to use local authentic ingredients. Global UNESCO Troodos Geopar k TROODOS CHURCHES IN THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST Elena Tsangaridi On December 1985 nine painted churches of Cyprus were registered in the World Communication Officer Heritage list of UNESCO which are located in the Troodos mountain range. In 2001 'Troodos Media' the Church of the Transfiguration in Palaichorim was also added. Photo: Press and Information Office Source: Cyprus National The ten Byzantine churches of Troodos (early 11th - early 16th century), are Commission for UNESCO distinguished from local elements formed by historical, geographical and climatic [email protected] factors. Their impressive architecture is unique and seems to have indigenous origin found only in the Troodos Mountains. Pitched roofs with herring locally produced tiles protect the churches from rain and snow. Their walls are built mostly with irregular stones and the roof with timbers of the region. The interior and parts of the exterior facades are decorated with frescoes which were created basically using Troodos faiochoma (umber) , natural brown pigment that was mined in Cyprus during ancient times and was used for pottery decoration, murals or paintings in Cyprus churches. THE CHURCH OF AYIA SOTIRA (TRANSFIGURATION OF THE SAVIOUR) AT PALAICHORI This church is located on a hill in the eastern part of the Palaichori village