Messana, Paphos: Depopulated Village with Only 30 Residents

Only 30 residents remain in the community of Messana in the Paphos district, according to the president of the Community Council, Periklis Masakaris. The population once exceeded 260 residents.

The main problem is urbanization, with the community no longer having a school or a cafe. Mr. Masakaris emphasized the need to struggle to be able to live in the villages of the Diarizos area.

It is encouraging that expatriate Messanians visit the village on weekends and holidays. There is a complaint about the transfer of water from the area to Kokkinochoria, without them benefiting from irrigation redevelopment. The struggle continues in cooperation with the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou.

In the past, the residents were poor but had their vineyards. Today, many areas are uncultivated, increasing the risk of fire. There is no state sponsorship for cultivating the land. Some residents are still engaged in vineyards and almond trees.

Messana is located at an altitude of 560 meters, with wild vegetation. They have four accommodations that are popular, while the village attracts people of letters looking for tranquility.

Messana belongs to the wine villages of the Paphos district, where traditional wine, zivania, palouzes and soutzoukos are produced. Cereals, almonds, citrus fruits, legumes and olives also thrive.