Alethriko is built on the east shore of the Pouzis river and is in a distance of 15 kilometres away from Larnaca.
It got its name from the milling (“aletho” in greek) of wheat in the flour mills that existed. Today none of them are left.
The residents mainly deal with agriculture and livestock. The Pouzis river that begins in the eastern area of Kornos, passes from Stavrovouni and Alethriko, and ends up in the sea of Mazotos. It has created a quite big valley. However, it has not been exploited by the residents, and today it is covered in reeds and wild plants. This is the reason why it is rich in prey and many hunter choose Alethriko for their excursions.
As a village, Alethriko has given a lot during the battles for the liberation of Cyprus. In 1963, the few Turkish Cypriots that lived in the village, abandoned their homes and went to a neighbouring village, Kivisili, that was clearly Turkish Cypriot. After the incidents in 1974, many refugees from Mesaoria found hospitality in Alethriko. In fact the refugees exceeded the number of indigenous residents. Locals and refugees work peacefully for the progress of the village.
The income of the community council is very little, since there are no taxes like in other communities, only some minimum charges.
Geographically it is found on a beautiful valley, that is surrounded by mountain peaks. On the eastern side, the low mountains dominate, while on the northern side it is the higher ones that dominate. On the west you can see the twin mountains, Aspropetra and Athkiakomoutti, while on the south area you can see the mountain Poupes. On a small distance from it, there are many small villages with which the residents of Alethriko are related.
There are 3 churches and 3 chapels. The Church of Panagia Eleousa is found on the ex Turkish Cypriot village Kivisili, but it is under the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical authorities of Alethriko. The old church of the village was the one of Agios Georgios and there is a myth around it that the Saint made sure that the number of the Muslim residents of the village never exceeded the number 21. This was always their number in Alethriko. If someone was born, someone else died or moved to Kivisili. The new church is the one of Agios Epifanios.
Alethriko has a great number of residents that migrated during the difficult years. Its number exceeds 7000 and these are the important economical donors, that, with their help important projects were put in place.
You can visit Alethriko for many reasons. Some few, small cores of the old village are still there and you can see its architecture. The church of Agios Georgios is so old that no one knows when it was built, and it merits being admired. The Pouzi valley, is a magnificent landscape and there are many parts of it that you can have a panoramic view of.
On the eastern side you can see the wind generators, that, with their size cause fear. They look like towers, due to the way they are placed on the peaks of the mountains. On the north-west side, on the road of Alethriko-Agglisides, a few metres from the exit of the village, you can find the sophisticated oil press, and in the appropriate period of time you can see how olive oil is extracted from olives. On the southwest you can admire the old bridge.
Alethriko is a typical agricultural and farming village of Cyprus.
