Κατηγορία: Places

  The famous ‘Tombs of the Kings’ form part of the Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos (Paphos) - one of the most important archaeological sites of Cyprus that has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1980. The monumental underground tombs are carved out of solid rock and date back to the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Rather than kings, it is actually high ranking officials and aristocracy that were buried here, but the size and splendour of the tombs – some decorated with Doric pillars - gave the locality its grand name. Some of the tombs imitate the houses of the living, with the burial chambers opening onto a peristyle atrium. They are similar to tombs found in Alexandria, demonstrating the close relations between the two cities…

  The ancient town of Amathous is situated on the south coast of Cyprus, about 7 km east of the town of Lemesos. Traces of the earliest human presence, dating to the Neolithic period, have been detected during archaeological excavations on the hills neighboring Amathous. During the Archaic period the town acquired special wealth as one of the Kingdoms of Cyprus, and had remarkable commercial relations both with the Aegean and the Syropalestinian coast. Amathous has not preserved a foundation legend. On the top of the hill of the acropolis, the Cypriot Goddess, named Aphrodite at least from the 4th c B.C., was worshipped. During the Persian occupation of the island, Amathous maintained a pro-Persian stance, a fact led to its siege by Onesilos of Salamis. The abolition of the…

  Located in the mountainous region of Marathasa Valley, the Monastery of Kykkos is the wealthiest and most lavish on the island, and stands on a mountain peak, at an altitude of 1.318 metres. Dedicated to Panagia (the Virgin Mary), the monastery possesses one of three icons attributed to Agios Loukas (Apostle Luke) the Evangelist. The icon - covered in silver gilt - is in a shrine made of tortoiseshell and mother-of-pearl that stands in front of the iconostasis. According to tradition, Cypriot hermit Isaiah miraculously healed the daughter of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118 AD). As a reward, he asked for the icon, and though grieved at the prospect of losing the treasure, the emperor sent it to Cyprus, along with the funds to pay for the construction of…

  The Monastery of Panagia of Machairas or otherwise machairas monastery or even Machairas is a androa monastery belonging to the Church of Cyprus. It is from 5 Stavropegic Temples of the Church of Cyprus and the abbot is Bishop Ledra. In the monastery there is the famous image of the Virgin Machairiotissa. H Holy, Royal and Monastery of Panagia of Machairas, located at the eastern end of the Troodos Mountains near Kionia peak (1423 m), 870 meters above sea level. It is built in a beautiful, wooded hillside of pine trees, leading to the torrent Pedieos. Called basilica because it was built with royal help, and stavropegic, it became self-governed church, which is symbolized by the cross positioning of the foundations. The monastery is dedicated to Virgin Mary and…

Ayia Napa is undoubtedly the most famous tourist resort of the island. Located at the south eastern end of the island and is known for its nightlife. Every year thousands of tourists (mostly young Northern Europeans) traveling in Ayia Napa with the main purpose to entertain strongly, many times and extremities. The name of the village resulting from the homonymous Venetian monastery located in the central square. Nightlife Nightlife in Ayia Napa is the number one reason to visit the young hordes of tourists every year. Within a few years this small village some families went to rest and settle down became a famous place among the communities of the new across Northern Europe (mainly British, Scandinavians and Russians recently), similar to Ibiza, Spain. a Saturday night in London can…

Larnaca, is a city on the southeastern coast of Cyprus. It is the successor city of ancient Kition, one of the most important kingdoms of ancient Cyprus, birthplace including the ancient philosopher Zeno. Today is the third largest city of the island, with a population on the basis of the 2001 census, 62 997 inhabitants (including the Aradippou and Livadia municipalities). Larnaca International Airport is the main airport in Cyprus. Like the whole of Cyprus, so Larnaca particular, began to develop rapidly since the independence of Cyprus (1960) onwards. After the Turkish invasion of 1974, the development of Larnaca was more rapid and impressive. The closure of Nicosia International Airport, due to the invasion, led to the creation of the international airport of Larnaca, in the salt lake area, which…

Paphos is a city in the southwestern part of Cyprus, the capital of the homonymous province and one of the most important ancient kingdoms of the island. Among other things, it was famous as a center of worship of the goddess Aphrodite. The city is divided into two levels: At Paphos, known as Land which is the commercial center of the town and Kato Paphos where is lower and beach and is the foremost tourist destination of the island. All the archaeological site of Paphos is under protection of UNESCO since 1980. The great cultural legacy of the city and the region of Paphos nearly 4000 years of existence, became Paphos essentially a large open museum. For this reason, UNESCO simply added the whole town on the World Heritage List.…

Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus and southern Europe. The population amounts to 100 952 residents within the municipal boundaries and 180,000 in the greater urban area. Known between the cities of Cyprus for its rich nightlife and its cultural tradition, Limassol is also the largest port and one of the largest and most. It has experienced rapid growth, especially after 1974, when due to the Turkish invasion lost another important port in Cyprus, Famagusta. Limassol is relatively new city, though in the area traces were found indicating that inhabited since ancient times. Located in the southern part of Cyprus, built amphitheatrically on Akrotiri Bay, between two ancient cities: Amathus to the east and Kourion to the west. The city’s development stemming from tisVretanikes Military Bases in the…

Nicosia, known internationally by the Italian name of Nicosia (from French: Nicosie), is the capital of Cyprus. According to Greek mythology, Nicosia siren was one of the daughters of Achelous and Melpomeni its name translates as’ White Substance “. Built on the Pedieos river, Nicosia is the seat of the Government of the Republic. The population of the Municipality of Nicosia is only at 55 014 inhabitants and the population is around 240,000 in the greater urban area of ​​the capital. In ancient times the city was called Ledra and was one of the ancient kingdoms of Cyprus. As the capital of Cyprus for more than a thousand years, Nicosia occupied in the course of Franks, Venetians, Ottomans and British. The historic center of Nicosia today is within the large…