A few hundreds of metres before the dam of Kalopanagiotis, the small settlement of the above village, Orkontas is found. The settlement has very few houses; they do not exceed the number of ten. The houses are built along the east coastline of the Setrachos river.
On the opposite shore, you will find the “Station of Orkontas”. It is now abandoned and the only thing that reminds you of its old glory are the ruins of the catering centres that “stand” half-demolished and left to time. There are still tables and chairs in the yards.
Until a few years ago, Orkontas was a place where thousands of worshipers that were travelling to Panagia tou Kykkou used to stop to eat and take a rest.
The travellers were enjoying Cypriot dishes in a green environment and next to the river Setrachos. Souvla and kleftiko left their smells in the air.
Two natural taps gave cold mineral water to passers. It was a noisy and at the same time enjoyable place.
The people of the settlement prospered.
Then came decline. A widening in the road that crosses the valley of Solea and guides you through the square of Troodos to the Kykkos monastery, made travellers change direction.
The visitors do not follow the most difficult journey that is the one that passes through the valley of Marathasa, thus missing the chance to admire its beauty. This beauty begins long before the Orkontas station and end up in the square of the monastery of Our lady on the Kykkos mountains.
This journey, no matter the season, has a lot to offer.
Two dams create magical views. A river that will surprise you with its beauty, even if it is not your type.
A medieval bridge, while crossing it, makes you feel that you are being transferred to other times way back. Being “drowned” in the green of the landscape, it is waiting for its passers.
The village of Kalopanagiotis is built on both of the shores of Setrachos and with its traditional architecture, it is one of the 4 ornaments of the valley of Marathasa.
The thermal sources and the paths of nature are there, waiting for the lovers of nature to visit them.
All of this, and a lot more can be gained by a visitor that is covering the journey passing by the Orkontas station.
