Xylotimbou
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Cyprus - Xylotimbou

Xylotymvou (Greek: Ξυλοτύμβου) is a small town in Larnaca District in south-eastern Cyprus. It is one of the three exclaves surrounded by the Eastern Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, a British Overseas Territory, administered as a Sovereign Base Area. The others are the village of Ormidhia, the EAC Refugee Settlement and Dhekelia Power Station.

Xylotymbou is small town in Cyprus administratively attached to Larnaca, and belonged until 1917 to Famagusta. It is located southeast of the island, within a landlocked enclave surrounded by the British bases. 

The name Xylotymbou comes in a version from the existence of forests for logging in the region, while in another version, the prefix "wood-" was added to distinguish the village from the nearby village of Tymbou. 

Although the village is referred to as unoccupied in 1821 and had only seven homes in 1840, the presence of many churches of 12th-14th century in the past suggest that there should be a major settlement there. 

The residents of Xylotymbou work in agriculture, animal husbandry and trade.  Many residents work in the British base of Dhekeleia and in the tourism industry at Ayia Napa, Protaras and Larnaca. 

Xylotymbou is famous for its many churches and especially the majestic convent of Saint Raphael. 

In 2006 the two clubs of Xylotymbou and Kimon Xylotymbou founded the united Football Club Xylotymbou 2006. 1)

Xylotimbou exclave ortomap with the positions of the five bordermarkers visited in December 2011. (Marker codes given only for identification in this article.) (Click for bigger image.)

X-1: The westernmost southern Xylotimbou enclave/exclave border marker photographed towards east. The WC is located exactly on the boundary line.

X-2: Next marker was located less than 100 metres east of the first one.

X-3: The third marker was found at the main road. 

The same marker photographed towards the street.  Compare this image with Timothy's 2004 photo.

X-3: All these markers were of the presumably SBA type. 

X-4: Another border marker in the same area was missing and replaced by this temporary red-painted indicator.

X-5: The southeastern border marker was well hidden between a fence and a light pole.

X-5: This marker was of the assumed Republican type.

Sources
1. Translation of article in Greek Wikipedia (January 2012).

2. PhD Dallen J. Timothy's visit to Xylotimbou (2006)

The page was first time published on 04/01/12. This page was last time updated 16/02/12 .