Alassa can be explored through two distinct subjects: archaeological remains at Paliotaverna and the Kouris Dam north of the settlement. At Paliotaverna, the focus is on buildings, a wine press and traces of copper processing; at the dam, the focus is on its location and the ruins of a submerged former settlement, which are visible under a specific condition. This lets you choose between archaeological traces and the history surrounding the reservoir.

Paliotaverna: Buildings and Processing

Alassa lies 440 metres above sea level. Three large ashlar buildings once stood on the upper part of the Paliotaverna plateau. One of them contained a wine press. Ashlar buildings are made of dressed stone blocks; the wine press adds a specific wine-making facility to the description of the architecture. The archaeological evidence thus ranges from the plateau’s location to a particular use of one of the buildings.

Remains of copper processing and other workshop equipment from the Late Copper Age (1650–1050 BC) have also been discovered at Paliotaverna. The dating places these finds in a specific period; the materials and workshop equipment draw attention to metalworking and craft processes. The information about the wine press and the copper finds offers two distinct perspectives on processing: a technical installation in a building and traces of workshop activity assigned to a clearly defined period. The combination of the building structure and workshop materials helps place Paliotaverna in context through more than just its architecture.

The Kouris Dam and Alassa

The Kouris Dam is located within the municipal boundaries of Alassa, north of the settlement, and is the largest dam in Cyprus. This places it in both a local and an island-wide context: its location describes its relationship to the settlement, while its size positions it in a nationwide comparison.

A description from 2018 notes: When water levels in the Kouris Dam are low, the ruins of the old church of Agios Nikolaos become visible in the submerged former settlement of Alassa. This gives the former settlement a specific historical reference point: the church, whose ruins become visible depending on the reservoir’s water level.

A practical difference for planning

When planning your trip, fixed geographical landmarks differ from features whose visibility depends on certain conditions. Alassa’s elevation and the dam’s position to the north help you locate the area geographically; the church ruins, by contrast, depend on the water level. If you want to include this historical trace in your plans, do not assume it will be visible; check the water level before your visit. This distinguishes the archaeological focus at Paliotaverna from an attraction whose visibility is explicitly conditional.

Discover more destinations: Akapnou, Pera Pedi, Lofou, Souni-Zanakia, Koilani, Pissouri, Potamiou, Kato Amiantos.

For the broader travel overview: Limassol.