In 1983, the Cypriot government decided to build a reservoir in the Limassol region to improve the island’s water supply, mainly for drinking water and irrigation. To make way for the new Kouris Dam, the historic village of Alassa had to be relocated. Everything that could be moved was transferred to a new location a few kilometers away. What remained behind was the Church of Saint Nicholas. This small but iconic church, built in the 1930s, once stood at the heart of the old village. Today, it serves as a silent witness to the transformation of the entire area, standing partially submerged when water levels rise and surrounded by dry land when they fall.
Read this article in DutchThe history of Alassa
The history of Alassa goes back thousands of years. Numerous archaeological discoveries in the area show that it played an important role in ancient times. Near the site of the sunken village, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Late Bronze Age palace, the largest ever found on Cyprus. Other finds include bronze artifacts and a mosaic floor from a Roman-era house depicting the goddess Aphrodite bathing. These remarkable discoveries can now be viewed at the Archaeological Museum of the Limassol District. Alassa is therefore known not only as the sunken village beneath the Kouris Dam, but also as one of Cyprus’s most significant archaeological sites.
The Saint Nicholas church in Alassa, then and now
In this video on YouTube, you can clearly see what the church looked like when it was first submerged. It was still completely intact, surrounded by trees and peaceful countryside. Now, about forty years later, only a ruin remains. For most of the year, the church lies beneath the surface of the Kouris Dam, with only the bell tower visible above the water. When I visit in November, the water level is extremely low and the entire ruin is visible. The distance from the church to the current waterline is surprisingly large. It is almost impossible to imagine that, at other times of the year, the water can rise so high that only the top of the bell tower remains above the surface.
Visiting the sunken church of Alassa at Kouris Dam
The church is clearly marked on Google Maps under the name Old Church of Saint Nicholas, but it can still be a little tricky to find once you get there. As you drive toward the dam, keep to the right-hand side of the road. Look to your left toward the water and before long you’ll spot the bell tower rising above the landscape. There is plenty of parking space near the church and chances are you’ll have the place almost to yourself. This sunken church is not yet on the list of Cyprus’s most visited attractions, which makes it an even more special and peaceful place to explore.
Keep an eye out for the Cypriot Nessie
While you’re standing by the water’s edge, take a moment to look across the lake: you might just spot the Cypriot Nessie! Yes, Cyprus has its very own version of the Loch Ness Monster, known locally as the Kouris Monster. Back in 2008, several locals claimed to have seen a mysterious creature moving through the waters of the dam. Some described it as a reptile, while others said it looked more like a snake. An investigation was launched soon after, but no evidence of a living creature was ever found. Since those reports, no one has seen the monster again, yet the story lives on, giving rise to the enduring legend of the Kouris Monster.
