Perennial Oaks and Cypress
These ancient trees or giant trees are the long-lived and large-scale plant species of the planet. Some of these trees stand proudly despite the years they are weighing on them, unaffected by the harsh test of weather and time. They were spared from the destructive fury of fire, but more importantly, of man.
In Kannavia we find such trees, namely perennial oaks and a cypress tree. The cypress has an area of 2.64 metres, a height of 16 metres and is 300 years old, while the oaks have a circumference of 4.01 metres, a height of 21 metres and the oldest is 450 years old, and the second oldest oak is 2.98 metres in circumference, 18 metres tall and is 200 years old.
These trees are living monuments of nature, they are closely tied to the history, legends and traditions of the area and are an integral and precious part of Cyprus’s natural heritage. They stand out for their very old age and their enormous dimensions, while some are considered sacred and as such, have their own particular significance.
For several years the Forestry Department has been implementing a special protection and preservation program for these trees. Firstly, the location of all the evergreen trees are documented, whether in the forest or on private land. Those located in the forest are protected by Forest Law. Each case is evaluated separately and the maintenance of the trees that are in direct danger of being destroyed begins. For trees outside the forest areas, maintenance is carried out in collaboration with the Department of Urban Planning and Housing, after being declared as protected.
Location
Natural Monuments
The Old Olive Trees of the Church of Panagia Chrysokourdaliotissa
Next to the west door of the katholikon of the Monastery of Panagia Chrysokourdaliotissa there are two old olive trees planted, probably in the 16th century, at the same time the church was built. Agrielia (Wild Olive) is a long-living bush, essentiall
The Pine tree of Lavrentou – Panagias Podithou
A tall pine tree stands in the midst of wild vegetation, just a few metres away from the church of Panagia Podithou and within walking distance of the wooden chapel of Archangel Michael. It is a pine (pinuspinea) with a measured height of 18 metres, a
The pine-bell tower of Agios Antonis ton Spilion
It is a treasured, multi-stranded, symmetrical pine in front of the western entrance of the old church of St. Anthony of Spilia. At some point the trunk is divided into two thick arches. Between them, the bell tower of the church was created. At the ba
The Three Sisters Olive Tree
In the courtyard of the wooden-roofed Archangel Michael’s chapel, which is painted in post-Byzantine style from the beginning of the 16th century, one will see a complex of three ancient olive trees, also known as Tris Aderfes (Three Sisters). In fact,
The tomb of Panoukla (Plague)
The Tomb of Panoukla is situated at the location “Laou”, on a slope east of Spilia. It consists of two boulders with one on top of the other. The view of these two rocks is awe-inspiring and makes people wonder how they stay one on top of the other. Ac