Pachyammos
Those killed in the Battle of Tillyria in August 1964 are remembered here
The story
Pachyammos is a small village on the northern coast of Tillyria, next to Kokkina. In the summer of 1964 Kokkina was a Turkish Cypriot bridgehead, where weapons from Turkey were brought in by sea. The National Guard, under the command of Georgios Grivas, laid siege to it. In early August Turkish aircraft bombed the surrounding villages, including with napalm; dozens of residents and soldiers were killed. On the anniversary of the fighting, a memorial service for the Greek Cypriot dead is held in Pachyammos, and on the same days Turkish Cypriots gather in Kokkina. The villages of Tillyria belong to Nicosia District, but since 1974 you can reach them through Republic of Cyprus territory only via Paphos District.
The Battle of Tillyria took place in August 1964, around the Turkish Cypriot bridgehead of Kokkina; Turkish air strikes destroyed the area, and the dead are remembered in Pachyammos. Tillyria (including Kato Pyrgos) belongs to Nicosia District, but since 1974 the only road to it through Republic territory runs via Paphos District.
Visiting
The village is in territory controlled by the Republic of Cyprus; drive from Polis along the coast road through Pomos. From Nicosia you can also get here through the north of the island, via the crossing point at Limnitis. The dividing line with the Kokkina enclave runs nearby: do not photograph or approach military sites.
Photos
Sources
- Visit Cyprus, website of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism: Kato Pyrgos village — Nicosia District, reached via Paphos District since 1974
- Cyprus Mail: Greek Cypriots mark Battle of Tillyria anniversary (memorial service in Pachyammos, 2025)
- Cyprus Mail: Tillyria commemorates 60th anniversary since bombings (air strikes of August 7–9, 1964, napalm, 2024)
- Cyprus Mail: Turkish Cypriots commemorate 60th anniversary of Battle of Tillyria (Kokkina today, crossing point at Limnitis, 2024)
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