The small, pretty village of Ayios Pavlos, situated under the hilltop of Papoutsa, presents a picture of idyllic charm in a rugged, mountainous setting.
Ayios Pavlos is the location of the village, a set well off the beaten track, that has enabled Ayios Pavlos to retain its special character and its compact size. It is also distinguished by its name, for Ayios Pavlos is the only village in Cyprus to carry the name of Saint Paul who, together with Saint Barnabas, founded the Church of Cyprus.
Ayios Pavlos is protected in the lee of the Papoutsa Mountain south of the hilltop, at a height of around 700 meters. The rugged landscape of the area has been shaped through the centuries by the elements of nature.
The river of Ayios Pavlos, Cross-crossing the narrow, deep valleys, serves as a life- giving vein for the inhabitants of the village and its surroundings
The craggy mountain outlook combined with the tranquil rustic ambience have played a key role in forming the character of the village and influencing the inhabitants' way of life.
For centuries Ayios Pavlos was known throughout the island for its wood carving skills. The reputation of village craftsmen spread all over Cyprus as well as in neighboring countries. Village lore says that during the Turkish domination three wood carvers from Ayios Pavlos were taken to Cilicia to train Turks in their talents. To this day there are craftsmen in the village, working on metal, wood and stone, making chairs, fashioning fountains walls and pavements.
The main occupation of the inhabitants of Ayios Pavlos is the cultivation of vegetables, citrus and other fruit-bearing trees. The steep slopes of the village are covered in grapevines that mainly produce the "xynisteri" species. The grapes are amassed at the co-operative winery in Kalo Chorio where traditional Command aria is produced.
This wine has been made in the area since mediaeval times when Ayios Pavlos, together with many other villages in the area was under the sovereignty of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. The villages were all part of the area where the Knights established themselves and which they called the Grand Commanderie, from whence the name of the wine evolved.
With the exception of a few houses in the village that do not conform to the rustic environment, the village has maintained its typical charm while developing its potential for agro tourism and ecotourism. The Friends and Former Inhabitants of Ayios Pavlos Association are actively involved in improving the villager’s way of life so that they are afforded the chance of staying in their village.
