Information on Kissonerga

Kissonerga is a traditional Cypriot village approximately five miles north of Paphos and is well known for its large number of banana plantations and wineries. It is in an ideal location, halfway between Paphos and Coral Bay. Kissonerga has a charming and relaxed atmosphere, where the locals are friendly and welcoming. The village is a quiet resort that is popular with couples of all ages and families.

In the centre of the village is a primary and middle school which caters for children aged 5 to aged 11. In close proximity to this school is a monument of two young men from the village that died in 1959 whilst fighting for EOKA (National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters). Miltiadous Kkelis and Georgios Michalis were members of the group that started a guerilla campaign against British colonial rule aimed at a union with Greece in 1955. The campaign lasted until 1959, with more Greek Cypriot civilian deaths than British soldiers. The first British soldier to be killed, Lance Corporal A.R.L. Milne, was killed in Kissonerga when his vehicle was hit by a bomb.

In the centre of the village is the Church of Transfiguration (or Metamorphosis). Close to this church is the ruin of a small chapel that was dedicated to Saints Zinovia and Filonilli. Although the Church of Transfiguration is a modern church, it preserves the Holy icons from the 1775 chapel. It was these two Saints that accompanied Saint Paul to spread the word of Christianity throughout Paphos. Saint Zinovia and Saint Filonilli died and were buried in Kissonerga.