Troodos Hill Stations Platres and Square
The Troodos Hill Stations refer to two main areas in the Troodos Mountains where the British colonial administration established summer retreats. Platres, located at an altitude of 1,100 meters on the southern slopes, became the premier mountain resort with luxury hotels, villas, and tree-lined walks. Troodos Square, situated near Mount Olympus at approximately 1,700 meters, served as the administrative center where the British governor relocated his entire government during the hot summer months. Together, these hill stations formed a unique mountain retreat system that shaped Cyprus tourism for over a century. Historical Background When Lieutenant-General Sir Garnet Wolseley arrived in Larnaca on July 22, 1878, as the island's first High Commissioner, he immediately recognized a serious problem. British troops stationed on the coastal plains suffered terribly from extreme heat that often exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, and malaria was widespread in low-lying areas. Coming from their experience in India, where hill stations had successfully reduced mortality rates among troops and civilians, the British knew exactly what to do. In September 1878, just two months after taking control of the island, construction began on the Troodos Hill Station. The site was chosen because elevations above 1,500 meters provided relief from tropical diseases and heat stress. Wooden huts were ordered from England, though records suggest these may never have arrived. By May 1879,…
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