Kampos tis Tsakkistras is built on a smooth slope of the Kykkos mountains, that compared to others, looks like a field. A few hundreds of metres south, you will find the village of Tsakkistra. Since there are no areas of land able to be used for cultivation, its residents “descended” to the field for this reason. Thus it is usually called “Kampos (field) tis Tsakkistras”.
Kampos is 85 kilometres away from Nicosia, if you follow the road going past the Kykkos Monastery, or 70 kilometres if you come from Orkonta. Both journeys are beautiful and no matter which one you will take, you will have beautiful views.
Upon arriving to Kampos, you will realise that the village is literally built under the shade of the oaks, the platanus and the pine trees. On the huge square in the centre of the village, under the dense foliage of the gold green Platanus trees, you will find areas for food and rest.
At the same spot, there are sources of the river crossing the village and ending up in the occupied village of Karavostasi. A few of these sources may be seen upon descending on the specially transformed riverbed, from the steps that you will find. A very small bridge will give you the chance to pass above the water and go to the other side, where you will find a huge platanus tree. Two of the sources have been transformed into faucets by the community council. Unfortunately the basin into which this water flows, is found in a populated area and this is why this water is not potable.
South of these two sources, there is another one. Behind the park with the wild ducks that was built in the memory of the Kampos resident that was murdered at a very young age. If you follow the central road from the bridge at the square going north, in a distance of 100 metres you will find the Holy Church of Agios Kyriakos Anachoritis. It is a beautiful, ancient construction surrounded by cedars and cypresses.
From the central entrance of the Church, carry on for a few dozens of metres and you will reach the monument of the heroes of the community. Even though Kampos is far away from Nicosia, it does not stop being a “living” village. It is a community with settlers who transform their love for their village into actions.
They have a health centre permanently equipped with an ambulance, a police station, a fire station, a community centre, a museum of Forest heritage, a community hall, corporation offices, and these are just a few of the services you will find in Kampos.
The houses are built on the slopes of the river valley and they seem to “nest” in the pine trees while the huge square has the capacity to host hundreds of visitors, in a fresh, deep-shaded environment.
Kykkos Monastery is just five kilometres away from the village centre. Thus, if you find yourselves at the Monastery, cover another five kilometres to be able to take advantage of what Kampos has to offer.
Ask the simple, affable settlers about the history of their village. They will talk to you about periods of time when their village hosted about 2000 residents. It was the period of time when logging was very popular in Kampos and the wood processing factories exceeded the number of fifteen, with hundreds of workers at them and many hundreds of them in the surrounding forests. Huge lorries went up and down the uphill road to Kykkos and from there on, they transferred wood to all the districts of the island day and night.
Kampos tis Tsakkistras is a historical village that has a lot to offer, and this is why it is one of the best destinations of Cyprus.
