The village The villages of Souni and Zanatzia are twenty three kilometres northwest of the town of Limassol, on the way between Limassol and Kantou, Kivides, Omodos and Troodos. Situated among pines, carob trees and lush natural vegetation on a hilly area with a wonderful climate and an amazing view of the beach of Episkopi, the villages of Souni and Zanatzia administratively form a community.


Souni

The Village of Souni is built on a hilly area with an altitude of 440 metres and the entire administrative area of the village has a slope from north to south. The altitude of the northern border reaches 550 metres and is reduced to 440 metres near the village and 250 meters to the south border.

The village receives an average annual rainfall of about 520 millimetres and in its area there is a cultivation of carobs, cereals and forage plants, as well as a few varieties of vineyardsand almond trees, olive trees and fruit trees.

The village has experienced many population fluctuations. In 1901 the inhabitants were 4 decreasing to 2 in 1911 and increasing to 13 in 1921 and 1931. In the census of 1946 the village was deserted by its inhabitants. In the censuses of 1960 and 1973 the inhabitants of the village were combined with the inhabitants of the neighbouring village Zanatzia and amounted to 66 in 1960 and to 81 in 1973. In 1976 the residents of Souni numbered 72 and increased to 94 in 1982. Today the residents of both villages are estimated to be 2000.

The village's name is reminiscent of the famous cape in Attica, Sounion where the famous temple of Poseidon resides. However a municipality with the same name existed in ancient Attica which first belonged to the Leontida tribe and to the Attalidou tribe after 200 BC. The same name was also found on the island of Paros.

The relationship of Attica Sounion with Souni Cyprus however has not been proven yet. The fact that Souni is found near the ancient kingdom of Kourion (and therefore the area belonged to that kingdom) makes us assume that perhaps Souni preserves the name of that ancient place. The area of the village was important for the city of Kourion, because this is where the ancient city obtained its drinking water, at least during the Roman era and quite possibly earlier.

The village of Souni is not mentioned in medieval sources. It seems that the original settlement was destroyed and it is unknown when the recent Souni was re-established.



Zanatzia

The village of Zanatzia is also built and set on the hills at an average altitude of 400 metres. The landscape of the area has a slope to the south and is dismembered by the Kouris river system.

The average annual rainfall in the village is 500 milimetres and the area is cultivated with a variety of vineyards, grain, fodder and carobs.
In 1881 the population of the village numbered 174 inhabitants and decreasing at 2 in 1891. Probably in 1881 the villagers were included with the residents of Souni which is not listed in this census. In 1901 the residents increased at 7 and at 23 in 1921, decreasing to 21 in 1931. In the census of 1946 indicated that the village was abandoned by its inhabitants. In the censuses of 1960 and 1973 the population of the village was counted together with the residents of Souni. In 1976 there were 49 people living in the village, which increased to 60 in 1982. Today the residents of both villages are estimated to be 2000.