History of Mandria
Introduction
The tiny village of Mandria
(or, according to history,
Mandrio) is thought to have
been founded around 500
years ago by Turkish
Cypriots who originally
called it 'green plain'
('Yesllona') thanks to the
variety of crops and flat,
coastal location. Over the
last 120 years the
population has more than
quadrupled to around 700
inhabitants.
Today, tourism has brought a steadily increasing stream of visitors to this charming hamlet in the south west coast of Cyprus. Tourists who are in search of a relaxing getaway in an idyllic setting far from the hustle and bustle of Cyprus' major towns, often find themselves drawn by the charm and laid back lifestyle of the picturesque village of Mandria. There are always a number of cheap flights to Cyprus touching down in Paphos Airport carrying tourists who then take a short 10 minute drive to get to Mandria.
Agriculture
Up until the late 1950s, small Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities lived in
harmony in Mandria, but in the early 1960s all the Greek Cypriots (around 35-40 families)
were driven out due to racial tension. They were forced to abandon their way of life
entirely, and in the process they left their lifelong homes and places of worship open to
looting. Turkish Cypriots continued to live in Mandria until the Turkish invaded in the mid
1970s and the Turkish Cypriots migrated north, allowing Greek Cypriot refugees to
repopulate the village and begin to rebuild their lives.
The Repopulation
These repopulations lead to a humble pride in the village, a plan of restoration and refurbishment and a commitment to its upkeep. The locals have their own refugee cooperative bank, and money has been poured into the rebuilding of churches and chapels destroyed by the tensions.
Planning law prevents excessive development which would spoil the idyllic scenery, and the Community Council have improved and maintained local roads, parks and schools. In the late 1970s, land and building costs were donated to the residents from the Cypriot government, and the tourist trade has been welcomed, albeit cautiously, as hotels begin to spring up around the outskirts of Mandria village.
The ancient town of Arsinoe was founded near the modern day site of Mandria in 300BC, around the same time that the Tombs of the Kings were built. The King of Egypt at the time, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, named the city after his second wife and sister, Arsinoe II. Arsinoe is one of many ancient ruins in the Paphos area; the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tombs of the Kings, is a massive underground necropolis from the same era which served as a burial place for wealthy and powerful locals. As well as several historic monasteries and fantastic byzantine relics, the area has even more ancient links with mythology, being situated within a few kilometres of the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite.