Filenews 7 July 2022 - by Dora Christodoulou
Located in one of the most central and busiest parts of the city centre, it has always been a point of reference for Paphos and its inhabitants. Unfortunately, however, in recent years only for the wrong reasons: When the abandonment of the site, sometimes antisocial activities in its buildings and when the interventions of the Municipal Authority in cutting the very trees that made the park, the area then became a problem.
Today, however, the historically charged park is in the process of a "facelift" that will give it its former glory and will make it again, in addition to being a green lung, a place of social interactions and visits as it used to be.
The Park "Malliotis" (area of 8.500sq.m.) is located on Gladstonos Street, the well-known "downhill" route that leads from the central square of Kennedy to the tourist area. It is half located in the area of Mousala, within walking distance from the historical and commercial centre, from the Public Garden and from the amazing neoclassical buildings of the centre.
This wonderful verdant grove, with cobbled paths, decorative arches, fountains and the small fountain, is considered a small oasis in the city, an ideal place where one can enjoy a leisurely walk in nature, but also rest on the benches, in the cool shade of the trees. It is also a very beautiful place for families with children, as there is a playground and generally the space is ideal for outdoor games. Moreover, in its southern part, which extends on the hill of Mousallas, a small plateau has been formed in one of the highest points of the grove. From here one can admire the unobstructed view that reaches the sea. A little further north, approximately opposite the old building that housed the Municipal Art Gallery, hidden almost under the trees, there is a beautiful stone-built chapel with its small bell tower, dedicated to Timios Prodromos.
All these advantages have been for several years only on a theoretical level, since in essence the park exuded decay and abandonment. Today, however, the procedures have already begun for the upgrade, promotion and modernization of the space. And this is thanks to the activity of the Municipality of Paphos, but also to a private initiative: The Loukas Pouroulis family allocated the amount of €500,000 for the remodelling and upgrading of the Park "Elias and Avgousta Malliotis", as a sign of love and appreciation to the district of Pafos, from which Mr. Pouroulis comes, but also in memory of his wife Artemis and his daughter Salomi. The generous donation was made through The Pouroulis Foundation.
The signing of the contract for the execution of the project between the "The Pouroulis Foundation", represented by Marios Tavros and the contractor construction company, took place today in the presence of the Mayor of Paphos, Phaedon Phedonos and representatives of the architectural office that prepared the study for the project.
During the signing of the contract, the Mayor of Paphos expressed the grateful thanks of the municipality to the family of Loukas Pouroulis for its significant contribution to the effort of the Municipality of Paphos to upgrade the image of the city and the quality of life of its inhabitants, financially supporting the remodelling of one of the most emblematic sites of the historic centre of the city.
