A visit to Stavros tis Psokas is recommended for those who like to get acquainted with the mountainous forested landscape of Cyprus and particularly those who like to see on the spot moufflon’s, a unique endemic species of the sheep family. The visitor can approach Stavros tis Psokas through the village of Lysos. Though the distance on the map appears to be short, nevertheless, the time required is rather long, since the traveler must follow earthen, meandering, often narrow roads. The road is, however, hard and resistant, as it lies on igneous rocks. The dominant forest tree throughout the route is the pine and the golden oak. Wild olive trees appear in some areas while the plane trees grow in deep valleys. On the way to Stavros tis Psokas the traveler might be lucky to meet groups of moufflon.
Stavros tis Psokas is a forest settlement, with filed, steep pitched houses made of wood, including guest houses for those who would like to spend a few nights in the Station.
The environment at Stavros, amid the lush vegetation of pines, chestnut and cypress trees, next to cedar, golden oak and maple is very pleasant, quiet and cool, particularly in the worm summer days. In an enclosure the visitor can see the moufflon, the national animal of Cyprus. A few deer, kept for acclimatization in enclosures, can also been seen. They are beautiful, fast running animals with the males having deciduous antlers. The deers, as historically know, used to live in Cyprus up to the Middle Ages. They were abundant in almost all the forests of Cyprus. A few trails have been set up for those who would like to combine the visit with walking amid a cool, refreshing, forested landscape.
Moufflon
Moufflon is an old as the first inhabitants of Cyprus or the first Neolithic settlements of the island. In Neolithic times it was hunted and caught for its meat as well as for its bones. Later on, particularly in the Hellenistic-Roman time, its presence is evidenced by the mosaics of Pafos. In the Middle Ages it was the game of the noble Frankish ruling class.
In 1939, the Forest of Pafos, where the animals live, was declared a reserve area. The moufflon has been used on stamps, coins, posters, etc. Though in the past moufflons could be encountered in the Troodos Forest, currently they are confined to the Forest of Pafos. There is a seasonal movement to higher areas of the forest in summer and to the lower in winter. Its pale brown hair protects it from the enemy, as it resembles the colour of the natural vegetation. The moufflon belongs to the sheep family with the male having horns like those of a ram, and the female bearing no horns. The animals live from 15 to 20 years and are very elegant, powerful and handsome. As soon as they feel the presence of the man they disappear. Normally they appear in groups of five or six
Extract from the Touring Guide of Pafos published by SELAS PUBLICATIONS LTD
