The Bridge at the Merika River is probably the only one in Cyprus with 9 arches

Paliometocho is a large, pure Cypriot village in Nicosia. It is built in the southwest of the capital and it is about 20 km away from it.

It is located on the west bank of the stream Merika, tributary of the Serrahi River, at an average altitude of 270 meters. Its administrative area is approximately 3,600 hectares.
Photo: Pambos Hps‎

The name of the village:
The name of the village is probably derived from the Greek words "παλαιό" (old) and "μετόχι" (a farm belonging to a monastery) this is because it did belong to a monastery. From these words came the name "Paliometocho".

Population Development:
The main factors that contributed to the population growth from 1881 to 1982 is the small distance of the village of Paliometochos from the capital where a large number of its inhabitants are employed and the lucrative agricultural and livestock farms that have developed in its area.

In 1881 the inhabitants were 410 and by 1982 they were 2778. Based on the official population census of 1982, Paliometocho was the 10th most populous settlement in the province of Nicosia. According to the 2001 census it has 4,074 inhabitants.
Photo: Ταξίδια

The churches of Paliometochos:
Walking in Paliometocho you will come across three churches, the church of Panagia Chryssalaktousa, which is the oldest of the three, built with limestone porosity in the shape of a single-aisled basilica. The church of Panagia Odigitria, which is the most recently built and the church of St. George built in the 20th century.

Photo: Χάρης Χαραλάμπους

The Kouti Bridge or Merika Bridge:
It is a 9-arched stone bridge that bridges the river Kouti or Merikas, which is a tributary of Serrahis. This bridge was used until 1960 when it was replaced by another that was built in close proximity.

The bridge is a sample of Roman architecture. Its arches are about three meters in length and the terraces are about one meter in length. Its arrows are 2 meters long and the thickness of the arches is 40 cm.Photo: Costas Mageiroudes‎

For the map of the area, click HERE

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