The village of Platres today is famous as a place for an ideal mountain holiday, but this was not always the case. The British first felt the resort potential of the village at the end of the 19th century. Once the British elite considered this a place with an ideal climate and natural beauty, Platres quickly became a favorite holiday destination, first among the British, then among the Cypriots.
The fashion trends that the British brought into Cypriot life were picked up by wealthy Cypriots, and then by the middle class. The area north of the village of Platres was soon developed with hotels and elegant cottages, which remain to this day.
Memories of that time are preserved in old photographs. We see people relaxing serenely, dining in restaurants, walking and simply enjoying life. These rare photographs show that some of Platres' famous landmarks - Psilo Dentro or Kalidonia Falls - are as popular today as they were a century ago.
Photo: Ανδρέας Δρουσιώτης, Ιστορικό Αρχείο Λεμεσού, Λεμεσού Μνήμες
This article was first published in the Cyprus Herald on July 22, 2023. Some information may be out of date.
