Neo Chorio offers two distinct perspectives: the church and house styles describe the village itself; the Smigies circular trail in the Akamas area and the Loutra tis Afroditis are nearby. When planning a stay, this distinction helps separate cultural details in the village from destinations for separate excursions.
Church and chapel: two building periods in the village
The Church of Agios Minas stands in the centre of Neo Chorio. Construction began in 1906 and was completed in 1912. The Chapel of Agios Georgios is also within the village, but dates from a much earlier period: it was built around the late 17th or early 18th century. The dates for the church and the approximate dating of the chapel provide two different points of reference for the village’s religious buildings.
The community celebrates Agios Minas on 11 November. This is a specific date to consider if you would like to plan your trip around the feast. If so, check the details for the relevant year in advance; the recurring celebration alone does not indicate the current programme.
House styles and building materials
The houses in Neo Chorio are one or two storeys high and built from local limestone and pebbles bound with clay. In two-storey houses, an external stone staircase leads to a wooden balcony. These details describe both the materials and a specific feature of the exterior design. If you are interested in architecture, you can consider these features separately: the composition of the walls on the one hand, and the staircase and balcony on the other. The number of storeys also contributes to the character of the village, without making every house look the same.
Routes and destinations nearby
The Smigies circular trail starts at the Smigies picnic area in the Akamas area, 2.5 kilometres from Neo Chorio. There is a short 2.5-kilometre option and a long 6-kilometre option. This makes it easy to compare the route choices by length. Its starting point and two options make Smigies a separate excursion outside the village, rather than a sight in the village centre.
The Loutra tis Afroditis are about four kilometres northeast of Neo Chorio. A paved path leads to a vertical rock face, from whose crevices water flows. A channel carries the water from the pool to the sea. Above the pool, the rock forms a densely vegetated cave, keeping the spring and pool permanently in the shade. While the Smigies circular trail offers a choice of two route lengths, the Loutra tis Afroditis are distinguished above all by their combination of rock, water and shade.
The Loutra tis Afroditis are also associated with a mythological account: Aphrodite is said to have bathed there after sleeping with her husband Hephaestus. This story should be understood as a tradition and offers a different perspective on the place from its described landscape features. Together, the village church, house architecture and nearby destinations offer a range of themes to consider when planning a stay in Neo Chorio.
Discover more destinations: Agia Marina, Mesa Chorio, Giolou, Simou, Kathikas, Amargeti, Pentalia, Miliou.
For the broader travel overview: Paphos.
