Dorita Yiannakou
Plans to redevelop the long-abandoned village of Trozena in the Limassol district have triggered intense public debate, as proposals linked to an Israeli investor move through Cyprus’s planning system.
The village, located near the Diarizos river valley, sits entirely within the EU-protected Natura 2000 network, a fact that has raised concerns among environmental officials and experts over the scale and type of development allowed in the area.
Cyprus Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou said the entire village should ideally be declared a site of historical and architectural heritage, arguing that priority should be given to restoring existing structures rather than introducing new construction.
She added that applications for permits have already been submitted to the Limassol district local authority, but no approvals have been issued so far. In her view, a comprehensive government strategy for the future of Trozena should have been prepared before individual development proposals were considered.
On the other side of the debate, business representatives have expressed support for investment activity in the area.
Andreas Tsoloftas, speaking on behalf of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Israeli investor did not present the project to the chamber. However, he stressed that the chamber generally supports large-scale investments and development, noting that the village core once had life and economic activity.
According to Yiannis Tsoloftas, president of the Limassol District Local Government Organization, the current applications involve the construction of 60 residential units within the footprint of existing buildings, along with a winery and a glamping-style campsite. In total, the plan covers 94 land parcels.
He said the applications are being examined carefully, with particular attention to environmental impact due to the Natura 2000 designation. He described the proposal as “mild development” within the existing residential footprint, adding that the investor has purchased multiple properties from private owners rather than acquiring the entire area.
He also questioned why the project was attracting such strong concern, noting that Israeli investors have already acquired significant real estate assets and developments in Cyprus, particularly in Limassol.
Officials from the Environment Department confirmed that an environmental study has been submitted covering the winery and restoration works, but a final opinion is still pending.
The investor, Uriel Curtis, told Alpha TV that he first visited Trozena five years ago and “fell in love with it.” He said he sought to understand why the village was abandoned and what its ownership status was.
He described his vision as creating a peaceful retreat space for visitors, clarifying that the plan includes 60 rooms rather than standalone houses.
The Trozena case is not isolated. In recent years, Cyprus has seen growing interest from Israeli investors in abandoned villages and tourism projects, particularly in the Paphos district.
According to information reported by Kathimerini Cyprus, there has also been interest in the abandoned village of Fasli, which was inhabited by Turkish Cypriots until 1964 and remains without electricity or water supply today. The area overlooks the Akamas peninsula and the northern coastline.
At the same time, Israeli capital continues to expand its presence in the Paphos hotel sector, with recent acquisitions including the Droushia Heights hotel, following earlier investments in other hospitality properties such as the Ayii Anargyri resort.
