Kouris Dam is the largest of the 107 Cypriot reservoirs. It is located near Limassol and flows into it by the Kouris River, as well as other sources such as the Diarizos River and several others. The waters of the Diarizos River flow into the reservoir through an underwater pipe.

This reservoir is part of the Southern Irrigation Network and supplies water from the southwest of Cyprus to the south-east, stretching for 120 km. The creation of a dam in this area of the island tried to prevent the environmentalists. They claimed that the diversion of river water would have a negative impact on the natural wetlands in the lowlands and the salt lake, which is a place where migratory birds spend the winter.

The most surprising thing is that the reservoir is located in the place of a flooded village, and in periods of drought, when the water level drops, the spire of St. Nicholas Church appears above the surface. Incredible spectacle!

Usually the church appears above the water surface in summer and autumn and disappears in winter, when the rains again fill the reservoir with water.
Previously, on the site of the reservoir was the village of Alassa, which was moved to another place – the hill opposite the dam Kouris. A new St. Nicholas Church was built there as well.

The current, “second” Alassa is located 12 km from Limassol in the direction of the mountain village of Platres. People were moved from the “first” Alassa in 1985. Construction of the reservoir lasted 3 years and was completed in 1988.

During 32 years of its existence, the reservoir Kouris overflowed only 4 times: in 2004, 2012, as well as during the last two years (or rather – winter): in 2019 and 2020.

In 2008, one of the tourists saw and even managed to capture the “unknown monster” living in the depths of the reservoir. It was immediately called the “Cypriot Nessie” by analogy with the Scottish Loch Ness monster.
The heads of local municipalities together with representatives of the Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture tried to find the monster, but found nothing.

If the beast existed, it was probably a crocodile or other large reptile, which someone thoughtlessly bought from smugglers and then decided to get rid of by throwing it into a reservoir.

Anyway, the magnificent views and now visible spire of the church are worth visiting this place next weekend.