-LEONARISSO VASILI-
A JOURNEY INTO THE PAST
LEONARISSO & VASILI
After four years of research into the history of Leonarisso and Vasili, it is with great pride, pleasure and affection that I see the fruition of this project about our beloved villages and the way they were prior to the invasion of 1974.
It is indeed morally obliging upon the older generation of Leonarissites and Vasiliotes to see to it that the younger generation are mindful of the customs and traditions of their forefathers and realise the importance of maintaining them at all costs and handing them down in their turn to their children and descendants.
The place where Leonarisso stands has always held a key position in the area as a convenient crossing place into the heart of Karpasia, branching off to several surrounding villages which are: Koma tou Yialou, Platanissos, Koilanemo, Ayios Andronicos, Lythrangomi, Vathylakas, Neta, Ayios Andronicos, Ayios Sumeos,Yialousa, Ayia Triada, Melanarka, Galinoporni and Koroveia and of course Vasili. Koilanemo and Neta are the two villages in the area nearest to the sea. About 7 miles Northwest lies the village of Eftakomi. The central and strategic position of Leonarisso meant, in simple terms, that nothing could reach Karpasia without going through Leonarisso first.
Before 1974 the estimated population of Leonarisso 850 inhabitants, were all Greek Cypriots.
Leonarisso
Before 1974 the estimated population of Vasili was 395 inhabitants of which 56 were Turkish Cypriots. The village had two doctors one being Turkish Dr. Niazis Manyera and the Greek Cypriot Dr. Antonis Georgiades. Both the doctors treated the villagers for free, or a minimal fee of kindness.
Vasili