Olive Mill of Paphitaina

Troödos Mountains


In operation until 1955, this well-preserved olive-stone mill and wooden press are now housed in a traditional building in Spilia’s village centre.

The mill, originally privately owned, was usually turned by a donkey, with the broken olives later being crushed by the presser. Olive oil was then extracted into tzares (clay urns). Eventually the mill was superseded by modern presses in nearby villages.

You can obtain the key from the Friends of Spilia-Kourdali in the building next door.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Troödos Mountains attractions

1. Panagia tou Araka

2.95 MILES

This 12th-century Unesco-listed church is on the outskirts of Lagoudera. From the outside, it appears enormous, the pitched roof and wooden trellis…

2. Troödos Botanical Gardens

3.69 MILES

Part of the excellent Troödos Geopark, this is a small but well-laid-out botanical garden with a lily pond and other water features, including a tumbling…

3. Panagia Theotokou (Arhangelou)

3.76 MILES

Dating from around 1514, this smaller chapel is just near Panagia tis Podythou. It’s quite dark inside, so you may want to bring a torch. It has vivid…

4. Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis

3.8 MILES

This Unesco-listed church, known in English as St Nicholas of the Roof because of its large, heavy-pitched top, was founded in the 11th century and…

5. Panagia tis Podythou

3.84 MILES

Located in the village of Galata, on the Nicosia road, this 16th-century Unesco-listed church was established in 1502 by Dimitrios de Coron, a Greek…

6. Stavros Tou Agiasmati

4.99 MILES

This Unesco-listed Byzantine church is famous for its 15th-century murals by Orthodox Syrian painter Philippos Goul. In two tiers, the images decorate the…

7. Timios Stavros

5.09 MILES

Built in the 12th century, this Unesco-listed church was originally dome-shaped with a single aisle. In the 13th and 14th centuries it was added to with a…

8. Panagia Forviotissa

5.59 MILES

This Unesco-listed church is in a stunning setting on the perimeter of the Adelfi Forest 4km southwest of Nikitari village. Dedicated to the Virgin of …