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The beautiful village of Akanthou which can be found on the northern coast of Cyprus in the Ammochostos (Famagusta) district. Unfortunately, today you cannot legally visit the village because, since, 1974, it has been under Turkish occupation, shrouded in misery and given the false name of 'Tatllsou', thinking that in this way they can distort the truth and appropriate an historic area of 3000 years old. The rightful inhabitants of the village were forcefully expelled and are found scattered here and there in free Cyprus and abroad. Everyone however has the undying passion to return one day. Only then will you surely be greeted by the hospitality of the rightful inhabitants of Akanthou.

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Akanthou is covered in greenery. Winter to summer the olive trees, carob trees and the allotments with their tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and other vegetables and fruits render the village green. All this was planted by the Greek Cypriot inhabitants with much fervour and love. The cultivated greenery enhances the rich and diverse greenery of the mountain which lies behind the village. The pine trees, cypress trees, laurels and many other plants make the Akathiodes yearn for the village all the more. The area is a natural paradise for botanists where they can find indigenous plants. (For those interested, more information can be found in 'Flora of Cyprus' by Dr R.D. Meikie, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 1985 Vol.1-2).

The mountain that is behind the village has unique features which the "thieves" will never be able to enjoy because they will always have the fear that the rightful inhabitants will one day return.

These beautiful features are 'The Stylarka', 'Diatripito' and 'Tile Waterfalls'.

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The Stylarka are tall vertical sheer chalky formations which constitute a unique spectacle as their base, 30-50 meters high, disappears into a forest of greenery of fennels, ferns and pine trees, even though their peaks pierce the heavens making weird and wonderful shapes. They resemble the 'Meteora' of Thesalia in Greece. Different climbing plants sprout in the crevices of the rock formations and hang like chandeliers where wild bees, colourful butterflies, wild pigeons, and rare vultures gather. According to tradition based on mar years of observation, these rare vultures never feed off carcasses which lie in a west to east position (the position the Christians bury their dead). A stroll through the area of The Stylarka was a unique experience with every step bringing you a pleasant surprise.

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Diatripito is another miracle of nature. On the crest of the mountain above Akanthou, erosion has created an unprecedented sculpture with a central shape of an enormous giant. By its side there is an opening of a huge hole which allows communication between the north and south side of the mountain. A few times a year the moon comes into view exactly behind this hole and its rays scatter creating a dreamy image. The view from there is unique as in front of you, towards the north, the intricate coastline of Kyrenia stretches out before you, whereas looking towards the south it is possible to clearly see as far as the Gulf of Famagusta. Unfortunately, since 1974, the rightful inhabitants of Akanthou cannot climb up there to admire the beauty because it is prohibited by the Turkish occupation forces.

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The Waterfalls can be found within a very short distance of Akanthou (a ten minute walk). Three consecutive giant waterfalls bring down the waters from the river which flows above crashing them down a chasm 200 meters deep. The sound of the water which falls on the rocks can be heard as far as the village and the water drops which are formed scatter over a wide area and refract in unparalleled iridescence the light which falls on them. Right at the base of the waterfall is 'Mana tou Nerou' a well which for many years provided the village with water.The whole scene adds a rich and rare variety of wild plantation with many native plants (cyclamens, lilies, wild flowers, etc.) bathing in the water.

The Akathiodes were industrious, diligent and hard working farmers. They looked after their olive trees with particular care and the olive oil produced in Akanthou was famous throughout Cyprus. Also, the carob production was one of the largest on the island. Naturally, after the Turkish invasion of 1974 the standard of the village went down, because the foreign occupants neglected the land and its plantations and the trees, those that were not burnt, were left to wither.

In the district of Akanthou, which covers an area of approximately 54 km2, there were no Turkish Cypriots until 1974. The plunder of Akanthou and the forceful expulsion of its inhabitants by the Turks who invaded the island, is a serious violation of human rights and the Charter of the United Nations.

Akanthou was inhabited solely by Greek Cypriots descendants of those who arrived there after the Trojan Wars in 1100 BC. Many derelict towns and archaeological sites with names such as Aphrodisio, Makaria and Liastrika, as well as the highest peak of the mountain with the name Olympus, are mentioned by different ancient writers such as Strabo and bear witness to the Greekness of this land.

There were approximately 3500 inhabitants. After the invasion many villagers were taken as prisoners of war to Turkey and imprisoned. The others were tortured, harassed and forcefully expelled unable to take with them any of their belongings. They were later taken to a prisoner of war camp in the nearby village of Ypsou. There many died from maltreatment, hunger and unclean and unhealthy conditions and buried not as befits Christians, but as animals in mass graves. Their relatives were never informed as to where they were buried. Two villagers are still missing and unaccounted for.

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In the village of Akanthou there are two Christian cemeteries. Ayia Fotini (Fotou) is in the eastern part of the village and Ayia Varvara in the western part. The Turks have not respected either the dead or the churches within the cemeteries. Undisputed evidence, of what the modern world would consider as unacceptable behaviour and barbarianism, can be found in photographs which have managed to find their way to the outside world.

Broken crosses and desecrated graves can be seen in the cemeteries. All the graves have been opened and the remains of the dead pillaged. Gold teeth, gold crosses and other valuable items buried along with the dead have been stolen. Bones have been scattered throughout the graveyards. An inhuman act which is against every law and all international human rights.

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The way that the church of Ayia Fotini (right), which is within the grounds of the cemetery, has been desecrated constitutes shame to the outside world: broken and removed floor tiles, without doors and windows. Vulgar language on the walls and excreta from livestock within the church bare witness to the civil standards of the conquerors.

In all the district of Akanthou there are another 20 small churches which have suffered the same fate from the Turks. No respect and no preservation took place. The cultural inheritance and the labour of thousands of years were destroyed with brute force by a neighbouring country which wishes to be considered as civilised, or have been stolen and sold as precious artefacts around the world.

The bible of the Church of Our Saviour was used as a stake, by a Turk, in a game of cards in London and bought by an Akanthiodi.

The biggest blow was received by the Church of Our Saviour (right) which was the pride of Akanthou. The church was an architectural miracle. It was built by the voluntary contributions of all the villagers and took 50 years to build.

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It celebrated the day of Transfiguration on 6th August each year and was visited by thousands of Cypriots, who came to pay homage to Our Lord, from all over Cyprus. The church was wealthy and was probably the biggest and most beautiful in Cyprus.

The crosses have been removed from both the bell towers and the domes, and the church has been turned into a mosque. This is an act which should offend all the civilised world. Can you imagine St. Peters in Rome with- out its masterpieces? Can you imagine St Paul's Cathedral in London as a mosque? The significance of these churches to Christians of various denominations is no different to that of the Church of Our Saviour in Akanthou to all the Greek Orthodox people of Cyprus.

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Where is the wooden carved icon screen of the Church of Our Saviour? Where are the Psalters and the carved pulpit? Where are the Christian worshipers who built the church with their own hands? Where is the miraculous icon of Our Saviour from whom even the Turkish Cypriots used to come incognito and openly to ask for help. The church has been looted and pillaged and has been turned into a mosque as shown in the photo graph, where Moslems are praying.

Icon of Our Saviour
This icon of Our Saviour, a masterpiece of the Byzantine art form, covered in pure gold, was stolen from Akanthou and its whereabouts is unknown. Tradition says that, in the old days, it was bought from a ship by one of the church wardens who in his dreams was guided as to which icon of three he should select. Although the captain of the ship tried to trick him into buying one of the other icons, he was unsuccessful. Only now, in the 20th Century, the expansionist policies of the Turks have managed to misguide all mankind and cover up this violation.

Akanthou is one of the oldest municipalities in Cyprus. From 1908 it was governed by its own mayor and its own Civil Council. The municipal building and the municipal market of Akanthou were built by the labour and voluntary contributions of the villagers. Even they have suffered the same fate.

The primary school was built in 1963, by contributions from villagers who had emigrated to London as well as from the Church coffers. Regional athletic competitions between neighbouring villages were held in the school grounds. This school was the love and spiritual centre of the village. The villagers of Akanthou held a great regard for education. Amongst them are many teachers, professors, doctors and generally progressive well educated people.

How Akanthou was named Akanthos or Akanthia is the Greek name for the thorny bush which grows in abundance in this area. Anthousa is a female Greek name. Together Akanthos and Anthousa became Akanthou(sa). Tradition has it that, many years ago, a wedding was taking place in this area. It was in the era of the Saracen Pirates who raided the coasts of the Mediterranean and scattered fear everywhere with fire and hatchets. Some Saracens saw the lights on the coast and went to the wedding. They sat down to eat and drink and started singing in their language saying: "As long as there is a moon, then the bride will stand proud. When the moon fades then the bride will go to the vessel" Meaning that as soon as the moon went down the bride would be abducted by the marauders. Someone at the wedding understood their language and advised the groom to leave and take the bride with him. They left the wedding and hid under a thistle bush at the location where the village now stands, and the name of Akanthou came about from the name of the bride and the thorny bush. Historians, however, say that the village took its name from 'Akanthou', an ancient town of which remains have been found in the vicinity of the village.

Today • 3500 people from Akanthou with the other 200,000 Cypriot refugees accuse Turkey of stealing their homes and land. • They accuse Turkey that they have brought thousands of soldiers and settlers to Cyprus thus preventing the inhabitants of Akanthou from returning there. • They accuse them of ruining the church and their heritage, and await the rest of the World to help them regain their freedom, land and property. We thank you for reading this article. We hope that when the Turkish invasion forces leave Cyprus to be able to offer you our hospitality in Akanthou.

See also:
PHOTO REPORT
Akanthou: Europe's heritage in peril>