Askas, stone, walnut trees and vines in a Pitsilia valley

Askas is one of those Pitsilia villages you find almost by chance, and that’s part of its charm. It’s small, tucked into a green valley and keeps its folk architecture almost untouched. I describe it with the village notes published by ANETroodos and with the CYSTAT census.

A valley village

The company places Askas at 900 metres, ringed by steep mountains and green valleys and crossed by the Askas river. At the 2021 census it had 90 residents, all in Nicosia district. It lies in the eastern part of Pitsilia, close to Palaichori.

Stone lanes

As a small village, Askas has kept its traditional character, with folk stone houses, dark wooden doors and narrow balconies over winding lanes. It’s a place to wander on foot, slowly, taking in the details of the facades, and a good contrast with the larger villages of the area.

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The churches

The company recommends the medieval church of St John the Baptist, built in the 16th century, and the Holy Cross church. I haven’t found visiting hours or a description of the interiors from permitted official sources, so it’s best to ask in the village whether they’re open.

Vines and zivania

Villagers grow vegetables, pulses, fruit, olives, walnuts and almonds, but the main occupation is the vine. Zivania, the island’s traditional spirit, is distilled in the village, and the company encourages you to try it and eat Cypriot food at its tavernas. It makes a good lunch stop on a tour of the area.

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Trails

For walkers, Askas has two waymarked trails in its area, which according to the company let you enjoy the valley’s nature. For something longer, the same area has the Madari trails and the one linking the Araka and Agiasmati churches, which I gather in hiking in Cyprus.

A stop on the way down from Madari

The company describes a route heading down from Madari through Lagoudera, Polystypos, Alona, Platanistasa, Askas and Fterikoudi, with notable religious monuments and the famous hazelnut wood. Askas makes a good stop on that descent, just before Palaichori, and pairs well with Panagia tou Araka, open every day except Monday.

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Wine country

Askas belongs to the Pitsilia wine area, where, according to the company, altitude and fertile soil let the grapes ripen slowly and local varieties dominate. Its own vineyards and the zivania distilled in the village are the most direct way to taste that.

How I’d fit it in

Askas fits into a quiet morning, combined with Palaichori, which is very close and has a UNESCO church, a Byzantine museum and Afxentiou’s hideout. To sleep, Agros, at the centre of Pitsilia, offers more hotels and village houses.

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