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Article: Places of Interest

ABOUT CYPRUS 



LEFKOSIA (Nicosia)
Lefkosia lies roughly at the centre of the island, with a rich history that can be traced back to the Bronze Age. It only became capital of the island in the 11th century AD. The Lusignans turned it into a magnificent city with a Royal Palace and over fifty churches. Today it blends its historic past brilliantly with the bustle of a modern city. The heart of the city, enclosed by 16th century Venetian walls, is dotted with museums, ancient churches and mediaeval building s preserving the nostalgic atmosphere of years past. Yet this old heart is split in two, leaving Lefkosia the only capital city to remain divided by force. The new Lefkosia developed outside the walls, and became a contemporary and cosmopolitan business and cultural centre. Just a few miles away are enchanting places of interests such as Byzantine churches and monasteries, archaeological sites and charming villages.

PLACES OF INTEREST (Nicosia)

 

·         Cyprus Museum - Priceless and fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic Age to the Early Byzantine period.

 Cyprus Museum

·         Agios Ioannis Cathedral - Build by Archbishop Nikiforos in 1662 and dedicated to saint John the Theologian.

Nicosia Cathedral

·         Famagusta Gate - The Venetian walls which completely encircle the old city of Nicosia.

 

 farmagusta gate

·         Laiki Geitonia - Pedestrian area within the walled city with traditional houses, shops, restaurants and galleries all restored as typical examples of Cypriot urban architecture of a bygone, more graceful age.
 

 


LEMESOS (Limassol)
Successor to two city-kingdoms and host to a Royal Wedding in the middle Ages, contemporary Lemesos stretches along the south coast. Proud of the spontaneous hospitality of its people, its archaeological sites, its mediaeval castles and its merry Carnival and Wine festivals, Lemesos is the island's most important tourist and wine industry centre. Hotels, restaurants and nightspots abound along the beach whilst closed by lie the pine-clad southern slops of Troodos with the picturesque wine producing villages, the idyllic mountain resorts and the picturesque Pitsylia area.


PLACES OF INTEREST (Limassol)

  • Lemesos Mediaeval Fort - Cyprus Mediaeval Museum - Built in the 14th century on the site of an earlier Byzantine castle it houses the Cyprus Mediaeval Museum. It was here that, according to tradition, Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England in 1191.
  • Colossi Castle - A fine example of military architecture, originally constructed in the 13th century and subsequently rebuilt in its present form in the middle of the 15th century. After the fall of Acre in 1291, it served as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. In the 14th century it came for a few years under the domain of the Knights Templar.

 Kolossi castle

  • Kourion - An important ancient city-kingdom, and one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island where excavations still bring new treasures to light.The magnificent Graeco-Roman Theatre was originally built in the 2nd century BC and is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances.

 Kourion Theatre

  • Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis - Apollo Ylatis, God of the Woodland, was the protector of the city Kourion. The southwest side of the temple has been restored and excavations have also revealed other structures of this important sanctuary such as the bath complex, the pilgrim halls, the palaistra and a holy precinct.

 

  • Amathus Ancient Site - One of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus where, according to mythology, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be taken care have after his battle with the Minotaur.

 amathus ancient site

LARNAKA
Larnaca, a town with an easy-going pace, has strong links to the past. In the heart of modern Larnaka one finds remains of the ancient city-kingdom of Kition, reminiscent of its glorious days. The Mycenaean Greeks fortified the town with cyclopean walls in the 12th century while the Phoenicians founded a powerful kingdom here in the 9th century. Kition is the birthplace of the philosopher Zeno, founder of the Stoic School, and it is here that Saint Lazarus came to live after resurrection. In the 8th century it became a commercial centre and the seat of the European consulates. The delightful Palm Trees Promenade, its fort, and its old quarters give Larnaka its unique character. The nearby slat lake is a favourite stopover spot for thousands of migrant birds in winter, whilst on its edge in a tranquil setting stands a popular Muslim pilgrimage place.
The whole district of Larnaka has something special to offer the visitor, including Choirokoitia the oldest Neolithic settlement on the island, Stavrovouni Monastery and the famous Church of Angeloktisti.

PLACES OF INTEREST (Larnaca)

·      Larnaka District Archaeological Museum - Interesting collection of finds from the Larnaka area dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period.

  • The Pierides Foundation Museum - The oldest privately owned museum in Cyprus, set up by Dimitrios Pierides (1811-1895. It houses ancient, medieval, Byzantine and more recent objects belonging to the Pierides family.

  • Agios Lazaros Church -Saint Lazarus is the patron of Larnaka. In the 9th century Emperor Leo VI erected a magnificent church over the saint's tomb. The church, one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus, was faithfully restored in the 17th century, and the iconostasis is an excellent example of baroque woodcarving.
    Hala Sultan Tekesi - Built in 1816 over the tomb of Umm Haram, allegedly a relative of Prophet Mohammed who died on this spot in 649 during the
    first Arab raids. The mosque is an important place of Moslem pilgrimage rankin immediately after the shrines of Mecca, Medina and al Aqsha in Jerusalem.

  • Choirokoitia - The ancient site of Choirokoitia, is included since 1998 in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage official list. It is the site of a Neolithic settlement found in a better state of preservation than most others from this period, not only in Cyprus but also in the whole Eastern Mediterranean.

 

  • Lefkara - Picturesque village, very famous for its local laces, known as 'Lefkaritika; also very famous for its silverware.

 lefkara


PAPHOS
The whole town of Pafos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world heritage. Wherever one treads in Pafos one comes across its glorious history which dates back thousands of years, when the cult of goddess Aphrodite who emerged from its seas, flourished in this beautiful part of the world attracting many visitors from inland and abroad.
Today it is a growing harbour town, but in Hellenistic and Roman times it was the Capital of Cyprus. Still under the spell of the Beauty-goddess, the area retaining her magic has remained intact by time. It seduces its visitor with its majestic landscape, lovely coastline, historical treasures and delightful villages where tradition is still a way of life. Kept in harmony with nature are divine mediaeval monasteries, which lie peacefully in the Pafos heartland.



PLACES OF INTEREST (PAPHOS)

·          Pafos district Archaeological Museum - Attractive collection of Cypriot antiquities from the Paphos area, dating from the Neolithic Age to 1700 AD.

 paphos museum

·         Pafos Mediaeval Fort - Originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour; it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th century, dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 and rebuilt by the Ottomans after they captured the island in the 16th century.

 pafos medieval fort

tomb of kings 

  • Tombs of the Kings - Spread over a vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to the 4th century BC. They are carved out of solid rock with some being decorated with Doric pillars. High officials rather than Kings were buried here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name.

mosaics 

·         The Mosaics of Paphos - The mosaic floors of these noblemen's villas dating from the 3rd to the 5th century AD are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mainly depict scenes from the Greek mythology.

·         Petra tou Romiou - Birthplace of Aphrodite - according to legend, Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou, 'The Rock of the Greek' is associated with the legendary frontier-guard of Byzantine times Digenis Akritas, who kept the marauding Saracens at bay with amazing strength. It is said that he heaved this large rock into the sea destroying the enemy's ship.

 petra tou romiou

·         Baths of Aphrodite - According to the legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to take her beauty baths in a pool of a natural grotto, shaded by a fig tree, which can still be visited. Nature trails set off from Akamas to lead nature lovers to incomparable view of unspoilt land.

 baths of aphrodite



AMMOCHOSTOS AREA (Famagusta)
Paralimni - Ayia Napa
The golden sandy beaches of the free (non-occupied) Ammochostos district gently embrace the eastern corner of the island. The popular holiday resorts of Agia Napa and Paralimni have been called a veritable paradise for anyone who loves the sea and water sports. The charming scenery includes the tiny fishing harbour of Agia Napa, the mediaeval monastery at the heart of the village and the windmills and small churches in the surrounding villages, which spread out to the areas of Paralimni and Protaras. This region is the main potato producing area on the island, and is known as 'Kokkinochoria" which means 'red soil villages'. The villages of this area are equally known for their poets, who are regarded as the best on the island.

PLACES OF INTEREST (FAMAGUSTA)

·         Agia Napa - Originally a fishing village it is now a major tourist resort. The charming mediaeval monastery dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Forests' stand in the middle of the village surrounded by a high wall. Its 16th century church is partly underground and cut into the rock.

 ayia napa

 

  • Marine Life Museum - Can be found within the premises of the Ayia Napa Municipality.

·         Potamos Liopetriou - A picturesque fishing refuge. Nearby are the remains of a Venetian watchtower. The French poet Arthur Rimbaud worked in this area in the 1880's.

 potamas


TROODOS
Nine Byzantine churches in the Troodos Mountains are included in the official UNESCO list of the World Heritage. These are: Stavros toy Agiasmati, Panagia tou Araka, Timiou Stavroy at Pelendri, Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Panagia Podithou, Moutoulla and Archangelos Micheal at Pedoulas.
The impressive Troodos mountain range with its idyllic Forests stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus offering cool sanctuary in summer and opportunities for sports in winter. Famous mountain resorts divine in its valleys, as well as picturesque mountain villages clinging to terraced hill slopes make up the splendour of Troodos.
The area has been known since ancient times for its mines and in the Byzantine Period it became a prominent centre of Byzantine art, as churches and monasteries were built in the mountains, far away from the threatened coastline.

PLACES OF INTEREST (TROODOS)

·         Kykkos Monastery - The most famous and richest monastery in Cyprus. Founded in 1100 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it possesses one of the three surviving icons ascribed to Saint Luke. The first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III served here as a novice. At his own wish he was buried at Throni, 3km west of the Monastery, and not far from his native village of Panagia. Religious fairs are held at Kykkos on 15th August. The Museum of Kykkos houses an important collection of consecrated vessels and Cypriot antiquities.

 kykkos monastery

monastery

  • Trooditissa Monastery - This beautiful monastery was originally founded in the 13th century. The present church dating from 1731 contains many valuable icons including a priceless icon of the Virgin Mary plated with silver-gilt from Asia Minor. A large religious fair is held in the grounds on 15th August. The monastery is closed for visits.


·         Krasochoria - The area of Krasochoria, meaning 'wine villages', is found on the south side of the Troodos range. Traditions are kept alive in these villages where the cultivation of the vineyards and wine making are still the main occupation of the inhabitants. This is the area, which produces the famous local dry red wine. Main villages in the area are Omodos, Arsos, Pachna, Koilani and Vasa.

 krasochoria


 


 



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