Newsroom
The long-abandoned village of Trozena in the Limassol district is at the center of renewed debate after officials confirmed that private land in the area is being sold to foreign investors as part of plans to revive the deserted settlement.
The confirmation came days after social media posts sparked outrage and speculation, with some users falsely claiming that Israeli buyers had purchased the entire village and were blocking public access.
Speaking to Cyprus state broadcaster RIK, Limassol district local government organization president Yiannis Tsoloftas confirmed that applications are under review for a small-scale development project in Trozena, including residential homes, a winery, and a camping site.
No permits have been issued so far, he said.
According to Tsoloftas, the applications are currently being examined by planning authorities and have been assigned to a responsible officer. Discussions are also underway with the Environment Department because the area falls within the Natura 2000 protected network.
That designation means any future development would have to remain limited and preserve the traditional character of the abandoned settlement, officials said.
Trozena, tucked away between the Limassol and Paphos districts near Arsos, has been abandoned since the 1990s. The village never had electricity and today still lacks drinking water infrastructure, details that underline both the challenge and symbolism behind efforts to bring life back to the isolated community.
For many Cypriots, the story touches on a familiar tension increasingly seen across the island: the struggle between attracting foreign investment and protecting local identity, heritage, and public access to land.
The issue intensified earlier this week after online posts claimed that “Jews bought the entire abandoned village” and that guards were preventing people from entering the area or visiting the village church.
Arsos community leader Giannakis Giannakis strongly rejected the allegations, calling them “fake news,” “misinformation” and “blatant lies.”
“We want to know where these claims started because there may be ulterior motives,” he told local media, adding that authorities were considering legal action if necessary.
Giannakis said an Israeli businessman had indeed invested in part of the village, purchasing around 80% of the settlement core from private owners, but stressed that the development was aimed at restoring the abandoned area rather than privatizing it.
According to him, the plans include affordable holiday housing for retirees, a winery, a campsite and spaces with horses and donkeys.
He also stressed that public access to Trozena “is not prohibited to anyone and will not be prohibited,” explaining that temporary restrictions in some areas are linked to ongoing construction work and safety measures.
The Arsos Community Council also issued a statement dismissing claims that the village church of St. George was under threat, clarifying that the church belongs to the Metropolis of Paphos and that there is “no risk or intention” of demolition.
The council invited any citizen who believes they were denied access to officially report the incident to authorities.
The controversy comes at a time when foreign investment in Cyprus, particularly involving land and property, continues to spark emotional debate, especially in rural communities where depopulation, abandoned villages and rising land prices have become increasingly sensitive issues.
