Troodos Mountains
P1P5
The Troodos mountains with the Olympos
The Troodos Mountains, also Troodos, Greek Τρόοδος, Turkish Troodos Dağları, is located on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The highest elevation is the Olympos - also called Chionistra - with 1,952 m.
The mountain is of volcanic origin and how the Pentadaktylos - unlike the rest of the island - forested. Even in high summer reigns in the Troodos Mountains, a pleasant mild climate, ideal for walking.
- 2.1 climate
- 4.1 Churches and monasteries
Geography
Location
The Troodos mountain range stretches in the southwestern inland Cyprus, between the villages of Panagia and Pomos in the Paphos district and east to Stavrouvouni in the district of Larnaca.
Summit
In addition to the Olympos - here you can ski in the short season from January to March - are as follows summit mentioned: Madari ( 1,613 m), Papousta ( 1,554 m), Kionia ( 1,423 m), Tripylos ( 1,362 m) and Kykkos ( 1,318 m).
Waters
In the mountains spring from all the major rivers of Cyprus, including the Diarizos, the Ezousa, the Gialias and the Kouris.
Geology
Troodos is the most thoroughly researched ophiolitic massif of the world. Like no other mountain range, it has influenced the geological theories about the origin of the oceans and the lithospheric plates.
Before about 90 million years ago at the base of a huge ocean, the ophiolitic massif forms today the foundation of the island and thus also of the Troodos. So-called Plutonic - products of crystallization from depths of two to six kilometers below the bottom of the primordial ocean - are commonly found. They include crystals with different mineral components, such as olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase.
Today slag heaps testify to the mining industry, which played a significant role in the Troodos few years ago. Asbestos, including at Pani Aminatos, and chromium were mined here until the 1980s.
Climate
For the Troodos characteristic are relatively abundant rainfall 700-1000 mm per year. During the winter months from January to March the summit region of Olympos is often tiefverschneit.
Flora and Fauna
The mountain has a rich variety of wildlife including eagles, foxes and the last wild Cyprus mouflon.
In the Troodos - the " Black Forest " Cyprus - grow the endemic Erlenblättrigen oaks and Aleppo pines, pines, plane trees, cedars and oaks. On the gently sloping edges of the Troodos the natural flora has been largely supplanted by apple, pear, peach, almond and walnut trees and vineyards.
Villages
In the Troodos Mountains are larger and smaller villages, including Agros, Kakopetria, Kaminaria, Louvaras, MOUTOULLAS, Pedhoulas, Trimiklini and Prodromos, the highest situated village on the island of Cyprus.
Churches and monasteries
The mountain villages are home to some World Heritage Site by UNESCO associated with unique barn roof churches. There are also several monasteries. The best known are in addition to the richly decorated Kykkos monastery of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Chrysorrouiatissia and Trooditissa Monastery.
Trails
In the National Park four trails are signposted to the study of nature. Boards at the edge of the paths give explanations about flora, geology and ecology.
- "Artemis" - circular route around Chionistra; about seven kilometers, 2.5 hours
- " Atalante " - from the post office in Troodos chrome mine; approximately nine kilometers, 3.5 hours
- " Caledonia " - of Kryos Potamos to the Caledonian waterfalls; about two kilometers, 1.5 hours
- "Persephone " - in the area around Makria Kontarka; about three kilometers, 1.5 hours