Years of History CNT Old PDF

Cyprus.
10 000 years of history & civilisation
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CYPRUS: 10000 years of history and civilisation
THE HISTORY OF CYPRUS
5 - 14
8200-1050 BC Prehistoric Age
1050-480 BC Historic Times: Geometric and Archaic Periods
480 BC-330 AD Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Periods
330-1191 AD Byzantine Period
8 - 9
1192-1489 AD Frankish Period
10
1489-1571 AD The Venetians in Cyprus
11
1571-1878 AD Cyprus becomes part of the Ottoman Empire
12
1878-1960 AD British rule
13
1960-today The Cyprus Republic,

the Turkish invasion, European Union entry
14
LEFKOSIA (NICOSIA)
15 - 28
LEMESOS (LIMASSOL)
29 - 38
LARNAKA
39 - 48
PAFOS
49 - 60
AMMOCHOSTOS (FAMAGUSTA)
61 - 64
TROODOS
65 - 73
ROUTES: Byzantine route, Aphrodite Cultural Route
74
CYPRUS TOURISM ORGANISATION OFFICES
75
C O N T E N T S
Lefkosia
Lemesos
Larnaka
Pafos
Ammochostos
Troodos
10 000
YEARS OF HISTORY AND CIVILISATION
INTRODUCTION
Cyprus is a small country with a long history and a rich culture. It is not
surprising that UNESCO included the Pafos antiquities, Choirokoitia and ten
of the Byzantine period churches of Troodos in its list of World Heritage
Sites.
TR
IM
O NI O M U N D
IA
RI
TA
IN
MO
N D IA L
E
W O RL D H
It is an unfortunate reality that a large part of the

islands cultural heritage has since July 1974 been under
Turkish occupation. This heritage has been subjected to
severe damage. The occupation force has been
systematically trying to alter the demography and
cultural identity of the area under their occupation.
PA
The aim of this publication is to help visitors discover the cultural heritage
of Cyprus. The qualified personnel at any Information Office of the Cyprus
Tourism Organisation (CTO) are happy to help organise your visit in the best
possible way. Parallel to answering questions and enquiries, the Cyprus
Tourism Organisation provides, free of charge, a wide range of publications,
maps and other information material. Some Information Offices house
easy-to-use digital info display screens. Additional information is available at
the CTO website: www.visitcyprus.com
GE
PATR
IM
1. The archaeological site of Choirokoitia

2. Ancient Kourion
3. Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Kakopetria
3
I N T R O D U C T I O N
CYPRUS
10 000 years of history and civilisation
A countrys cultural heritage is the most important living
treasure of its people. It is through this that its identity can
be expressed and an awareness of its historical continuity
through time can be created. Cyprus is the third largest island
in the Mediterranean. It is situated at the crossroads of three
continents Europe, Asia and Africa. This geographic position
has since antiquity played an important part in the islands
turbulent history. Its prehistoric age inhabitants were joined
by the Mycenaean Greeks 3500 years ago, who introduced
and established their civilisation, thus permanently instilling
the islands Greek roots. Many other cultures followed since
then, including Phoenicians, Assyrians, Franks, Venetians,
Ottomans, British, all leaving behind visible traces of their
passage.
Kourion Ancient Theatre
On this island once walked Christs apostles. The splendour of the Byzantine Empire for many
centuries encapsulated Cyprus. The island is an open-air museum, where one can visit prehistoric
settlements, classical Greek temples, Roman theatres and villas, early Christian basilicas,
Byzantine churches and monasteries, Crusader castles, Gothic cathedrals, Venetian fortifications,
Moslem mosques and British colonial-style buildings.
In the villages one can still observe old ways of life, customs and traditions. Here, festivities
whose origins hark back to the depths of antiquity are still being celebrated. These include
Carnival and the Flower Festivals. Aphrodite, the ancient Greek Olympian goddess of beauty and
love, who according to mythology was born on the island, still roams her beloved Pafos and the
Sweet land of Cyprus, omnipresent in the bright atmosphere, the beauty of the landscape and
the charm of the local people. At Kouklia, where once stood her great temple, now stands a
church fittingly known as the church of Panagia Aphroditissa.
The immortal verses of the ancient Greek playwrights still reverberate on a balmy summer
evening at the ancient theatre of Kourion and the Pafos Odeion, where classical Greek plays are
regularly staged. And in the month of September, wine flows copiously and the spirit of
Dionysos, the Greek god of wine and well-being, lives on throughout the duration of the Wine
Festival. Popular medieval songs can still be heard on the island reviving the legends of Digenis,
the invincible folk hero of the Byzantine era and the unfettered Rigaina, the beautiful Amazonian
queen. Cyprus, as the easternmost part of Europe, constitutes a cultural bridge between people
of different religions, cultures and ways of life.
10 000
THE HISTORY OF
CYPRUS
8200
1050
BC
Prehistoric Age
2
The very first signs of permanent settlement in Cyprus date from the
Neolithic age (8200-3800 BC). While copper is mined in small quantities
during the next period, the Chalcolithic (3800-2400 BC) age, this brings
about only minor changes in the way of life of the people. In both the
Neolithic and the Chalcolithic ages the Cypriots lived in single room
dwellings, used stone tools and vessels, made jewellery out of picrolite, ate
fish, cereals, lamb and goats meat and buried their dead within their
settlements. The earliest pottery found dates back to the 5th millennia BC.
The first significant cultural changes affecting all aspects of society took
place around 2400-2200 BC, towards the end of the Chalcolithic age and
at the beginning of the Early Bronze age. Instead of building cylindricallyshaped dwellings, people began to construct multi-room oblong structures,
started to process copper in jewellery, applied the plough for agriculture
and began to bury their dead in organised cemeteries. Despite the fact that
these developments contributed to the economic growth that occurred
both during the Early (2400-1900 BC) and Middle (1900-1650 BC) Bronze
age periods, people still lived in small hinterland villages. Communication
and trade with the surrounding Mediterranean lands was limited.
The Late Bronze age (1650-1050 BC) was the first period of prehistoric
Cyprus when tangible and irrefutable evidence exists that a number of
significant developments occurred. These include the establishment of
coastal towns, intensive mining of copper and other metals, development
of a writing script, contact and trade with the neighbouring regions of Egypt,
the Middle East, the Aegean and the wider Eastern Mediterranean area.
1. Stone container, Neolithic age

2. Human figure idol, Chalcolithic age
3, 4. Plank-shaped figures, Early-Middle
Bronze age
5. White slip pottery, Late Bronze age
From the latter part of the 13th century BC successive waves of mainland
Greeks begin to settle in Cyprus. Hence, Mycenaean pottery is imported
in great quantities from the Aegean (Greece) and used extensively, both in
everyday life as well as for religious ceremonies. Later it is reproduced
locally and incorporated in the islands ceramic tradition.
6. Bronze figurine of the Horned God,

Late Bronze age
T H E
H I S T O R Y
O F
C Y P R U S
1050
480
BC
Historic Times: Geometric and Archaic Periods
Two major developments marked the transition from the Prehistoric
age to Historic periods the first was political and the second
technological.
The first major development was the establishment of new citykingdoms. Up until the 11th century BC, all the large cities of the Late
Bronze age had been destroyed by natural causes, possibly earthquakes.
Folk tales that the new towns were created by heroes of the Trojan War
on their return from the conflict correlate to historical facts, namely the
last wave of Achaean Greek settlement, which led to the eventual
hellenisation of Cyprus, with the adoption of Greek culture and
language. From the 10th century BC onwards the ties between Cyprus
and Greek islands such as Evia and Crete became particularly close.
Geometric and Archaic period pottery
The second major development was the use of iron in metallurgy,

which marked the start of a new era, the Iron age. At first iron was
used only in jewellery, but it gradually replaced copper in tool making.
The Iron age includes the Geometric period, in view of the fact that
geometrical motifs were mainly used in decorating
pottery. This period coincided with the arrival of the
Phoenicians in Cyprus and their colonisation of the large
coastal Mycenaean city of Kition. Typical Phoenician
black-on-red colour pottery was introduced and later
produced locally on the island.
The beginning of the next period, the Archaic period (750-480 BC), was marked
by the subjugation of Cyprus to the Assyrians. During this period, the Cypriot citykingdoms of Salamis, Kition, Amathous, Kourion, Idalion, Palaipafos, Marion, Soloi
and Tamassos remained independent for as long as they were in a position to pay
a subjugation tax to the Assyrian ruler. After the rule of the Assyrian hegemony,
the Egyptian Pharaoh Amasis took over Cyprus. Typical of this period were the
strong Greek and eastern influences evident in all aspects of life, more so in art
and religion.
The ancient city-kingdom
of Kition
10 000
480
BC
330
AD
Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Periods
During the Classical period (480-310 BC) Cyprus found itself in the middle of the
Greco-Persian Wars. The Greek strategy was to drive the Persians off all Greek
lands, including Cyprus, where they succeeded just for a short period, between 450
and 449 BC, when the Athenian fleet led by Kimon took over Marion, liberated
Soloi and besieged Kition.
Despite this, Cyprus did eventually become part of the Persian Empire, though still
maintaining its independence to a large degree. During the rule of Evagoras of
Salamis (411-374 BC) Cyprus developed into one of the most important political
and cultural centres of the Hellenic world. Evagoras rebelled against the Persians,
but after a lengthy war was forced to sign a peace treaty with Persia. Throughout
Persian rule, Greek influences on Cyprus were very strong. Deities of the Greek
pantheon were introduced and Greek artists were assigned to create the seals of
the coins to be minted for use by the Cypriot city-kingdoms.
Marble head of Aphrodite,

Salamis
Persian rule came to an end during the Hellenistic period (310-30 BC) during
Alexander the Greats campaign to the East. After Alexanders death, Ptolemy, one of his
successors, became ruler of the island. Strong influences of Alexandria, the capital of the new
Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt, are evident in all areas of art, such as sculpture, ceramics and
statuette making. During the Ptolemaic period Cyprus was mainly used as a military base. The
Ptolemies exploited the islands natural resources, such as copper, timber for the construction of
ships, olives and wheat.
The Romans, who conquered Cyprus after the Ptolemies, mainly exploited its copper mines.
Although the Roman period proper is said to have begun in 58 BC, Cyprus did not come under
Roman rule until 30 BC. During the Roman period (30 BC-330 AD), the name of Cyprus became
synonymous with the Latin equivalent name for copper (cuprum). Under Roman rule, as a result
of trade Cyprus enjoyed a three hundred year period of economic growth. One of the main
exports at the time was decorative Cypriot pottery. Cypriot jewellery and glassware copied the
decorative styles of Roman craft shops. At the start of the Roman period burial tombs were
particularly rich, often containing exquisite golden jewellery and crafted glassware.
A landmark in the history of Cyprus during the Roman period was the conversion of the island
to Christianity by the Apostles Paul and Barnabas, starting in 45 AD.
Roman period coins
T H E
H I S T O R Y
O F
C Y P R U S
330
1191
Byzantine Period
Silver plate, Lambousa, 7th century
In 330 AD the capital of the Roman Empire was moved from Rome to
Constantinople. Christianity was declared the official religion of the state. In
395 AD the Roman Empire was split into the Western Roman Empire and the
Eastern Roman Empire. The Eastern part, also known as the Byzantine Empire,
included Cyprus, from the 4th to the 12th centuries. During the Early
Christian-Early Byzantine period, between the 4th and 7th centuries, the
church of Cyprus succeeded with great effort to remain autocephalous, fully
independent and to increase its influence considerably. In 488 AD Byzantine
Emperor Zeno accorded the Archbishop of Cyprus and his successors the
privileges of wearing a purple cloak during official ceremonies, holding an
imperial sceptre and signing in red ink. Archbishop Anthemios, wishing to
express his gratitude to the Emperor for ratifying that the Church of Cyprus
would be autocephalous, presented him St. Barnabas manuscript of St.
Mathews Gospel, which Archbishop Anthemios had discovered in the
Apostles tomb near Salamis. A monastery dedicated to St. Barnabas was
erected on the spot where his tomb was discovered. St. Barnabas is
considered to be the founder of the Church of Cyprus.
Peace prevailed in Cyprus during the first centuries of the

Byzantine period. New cities sprung up, while others were
abandoned as a result of major destructive earthquakes. The
capital of Cyprus was moved from Pafos to Salamis-Constantia,
near which the town of Arsinoe-Ammochostos (Famagusta)
developed from the 7th century. Amathous remained an
important centre since Roman times, while a new city was
established nearby, Neapolis or Nemesos, later becoming
Lemesos, in the Frankish period. The old city of Ledra was
replaced by Lefkosia (Nicosia), which eventually became the
capital of Cyprus sometime between the 11th and 12th century.
The silk industry, which the Byzantines introduced clandestinely
from China, originally developed in the 6th century and grew
to become one of the most lucrative handicrafts on the island.
The shipbuilding yards of Cyprus continued to produce wooden
Machairas Monastery
10 000
1. Panagia Asinou, Nikitari

2. Panagia tou Araka, Lagoudera
3. Agia Marina, Pedoulas
ships on a large scale, while an aqueduct was built in Salamis, funded by the
Byzantine Emperor Heraklios. The silver and goldsmith industries flourished, as
evidenced by precious plates with depictions of the life of David, part of the
discovered treasure of Lambousa (Lapithos). Some of the plates are now exhibited
in the Cyprus Museum in Lefkosia (Nicosia), while other objects from the collection
are housed in the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Ecclesiastical art flourished in Cyprus, adopting elements from the Greco-Roman
tradition, as well as eastern elements. The islands first churches were built based
on the Roman basilica model of an elongated oblong area, divided by a row of
columns into archways and aisles. As time went by domes and arches were added
and various types developed around the shape of a cross. The most important
examples of architecture during this period are the early Christian wooden-roofed
basilicas decorated with frescoes. The most important ones are those of Lambousa,
Chrysopolitissa at Kato Pafos, Kambanopetra in Constantia, Agia Triada in
Gialousa, Panagia Kanakaria in the Karpas peninsula, Kourion and Agios Georgios
in Pegeia. Three rare mosaics that still survive inside the apses of three early
Christian basilicas depict the artistic connection between Cyprus and
Constantinople. The oldest of the three mosaics was the one in the apse of the
now occupied church of Panagia Kanakaria in the Karpas peninsula, the one in the
best condition is found in the apse of the church of Panagia Angeloktisti at Kiti,
while the third is in the church of Panagia Kyra, in the occupied village of Livadia,
near Famagusta. The basilicas were destroyed by the Arab raids that took place
between the 7th and 10th centuries, but the mosaics were spared because they
were incorporated into subsequent churches.
Cyprus acquired particular importance to Byzantium and to Islam in the 7th

century as a result of the conflict between the powers of the time. The Arab raids
against Cyprus began in 648-649 AD and continued until 965 AD, when Emperor
Nicephorus II Phocas finally defeated them. Up until the 12th century the
Byzantines built castles and fortifications along the Pentadaktylos mountain range
at St Hilarion, Voufavento and Kantara, as well as the monasteries at Kykkos,
Machairas and Agios Neophytos.
T H E
H I S T O R Y
O F
C Y P R U S
1192
1489
Frankish Period
In 1191, the king of England, Richard the Lionheart, foresaw the strategic
importance of Cyprus as a base for supplying the forces taking part in the Third
Crusade, and conquered the island. In Cyprus Richard married his fiance
Berengaria of Navarre, who was accompanying him, and crowned her Queen
of England. Realising how difficult it would be to maintain control of the island,
Richard sold it to the Knights Templars, who handed it back, following a local
uprising on the island. Richard then finally sold Cyprus to the former king of
the Latin state of Jerusalem, French nobleman Guy de Lusignan, founder of the
Lusignan dynasty of kings and queens in Cyprus, whose family originated from
Poitier in France. Frankish rule of Cyprus, known as the Lusignan period, lasted
for three centuries (1192-1489). The governing regime in Cyprus became feudal
and the Catholic church was instated as the official institution of the state. In
1291, after the fall of Acre (Latin kingdom of Jerusalem) to the Mamelukes of
Egypt, Cyprus remained the sole bastion of Christianity in the East, as well as
the most important trading post in the Eastern Mediterranean. The granting by
the Frankish kings of commerce privileges to powerful trading cities of the
West, such as Venice and Genoa gave rise to conflict between the Western
powers as to who would prevail over Cyprus. This had a detrimental political
and economic effect on the island.
Richard the Lionheart
The 14th century saw great commercial and economic activity in Cyprus. The
capital of the island Lefkosia (Nicosia) and the coastal city of Ammochostos
(Famagusta) grew into large urban centres with considerable trading activity.
During the Middle Ages, Cyprus produced and exported high quality sugar,
excellent wine and other fine agricultural products. At the same time the
weaving and lace industries flourished. Another growing industry was the
production of glazed ceramic ware, both for local as well as for export needs.
Frankish period coins
The gothic monuments that survive from the Frankish period consist mainly of
places of worship and castles that combine Byzantine and western elements.
The church of Agia Sofia in Lefkosia (Nicosia), St Nicholas cathedral in
Ammochostos (Famagusta) and the Abbey of Belapais are just some of the better
known structures.
10 000
10
1489
1571
The Venetians in Cyprus
The last queen of Cyprus, Caterina Cornaro, wife of King James
II and sister of Venetian nobleman Andreas Cornaro ceded the
island to Venice in 1489, whereupon Cyprus became part of the
Most Serene Republic of Venice. This resulted in the definitive
ousting of the Genoans from the island and the prevalence of
Venetian rule. Venices main aim was to secure a firm hold of
Cyprus that would allow the unimpeded movement and supply
of Venetian ships in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The main agricultural products that the island exported were
wheat, barley, sugar, cotton, wine and olive oil. The main
cottage industry was textiles, while at the same time lace was
beginning to be produced in the village of Lefkara. Most exports
were shipped out of the port of Ammochostos (Famagusta).
Towards the end of Venetian rule, Larnaka became the most
important port of Cyprus, from where salt was exported. The
port of Lemesos (Limassol) also started to develop at this time.
When the Ottomans conquered the island of Rhodes in 1522, the

Venetians were alerted to the danger of losing Cyprus. Hence
they built fortifying walls around Lefkosia (Nicosia) and
strengthened the existing walls of Ammochostos (Famagusta), on
whose sea side stood the tower of Othello, known from the
Shakespeare tragedy.
2
1. Famagusta gate, Lefkosia
2. Venetian walls, Lefkosia
T H E
H I S T O R Y
O F
C Y P R U S
11
1571
1878
Cyprus becomes part of the Ottoman Empire
The period of Ottoman rule in Cyprus began with
the fall of Ammochostos (Famagusta) in 1571.
The Latins were expelled from the island and a
Moslem community was established in Cyprus for
the first time. Privileges were given to the
Orthodox church of Cyprus from the beginning of
Ottoman rule, giving it not just religious authority
but also political authority.
Cyprus went through hard times during Ottoman
rule. The contribution of the Greek Cypriots to
the Greek War of Independence in 1821 resulted
in the execution of Cyprus Archbishop Kyprianos,
three of his bishops and about 470 clerics and
laymen.
Since the early 18th century, there took place a

positive social and economic resurgence in the
lives of Greek Cypriots and Greeks, alongside the
parallel decline of the Ottoman Empire. The
trading activities of Europeans in the coastal
towns of Cyprus and the establishment of foreign
consular offices in Larnaka marked the start of a
change in the social fabric of the island, from
agricultural and semi-feudal as it was in previous
periods, to semi-urban in the coastal towns. This
social change was strengthened by the close
contacts of the Greeks of Cyprus with the newly
independent Greek state that emerged after the
Greek War of Independence. These first urbanised
townsfolk began to express the first strong
nationalist sentiments.
2
1. Hala Sultan Tekkesi, Larnaka salt lake
2. The house of Chatzigeorgakis Kornesios, Lefkosia
10 000
12
1878
1960
British rule
In 1878, under a secret treaty established between Great Britain
and the Ottomans, Cyprus was ceded to the former. Despite early
expectations of Cypriots that there would be substantial changes
in their political, economic and social lives and that their desire
for union of Cyprus with Greece would be fulfilled, these did not
materialise. Greek Cypriot disappointment with British colonial
rule together with the prevailing economic recession, led to the
uprising events of October 1931. These events resulted in even
harsher colonial measures being imposed by the British.
The Greeks of Cyprus continued to press on with their demand
for national restitution and union with Greece but the British
government continued to reject it. On 15 January 1950 a
referendum on union with Greece was held, in which 95,7% of
Greek Cypriots voted in favour. The referendum outcome had no
effect on the British stance. On 20 October 1950 Bishop of Kition
Makarios III was elected as Archbishop. The political deadlock the
Greek Cypriots faced led to the waging of the national liberation
anticolonial struggle of 1955-59, by the National Organisation of
Cypriot Fighters (EOKA). The struggle resulted in the ending of
British rule, but not to union with Greece.
The Zurich-London Agreements led to the
establishment of the independent Republic
of Cyprus. On 13 December 1959
Archbishop Makarios III was elected first
President of the Republic and Dr Fazil
Kutchuk first Vice President.
Presidential palace, Lefkosia
T H E
H I S T O R Y
O F
C Y P R U S
13
1960
today
The Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish invasion,
European Union entry
The Republic of Cyprus was proclaimed on 16 August 1960. The island

became a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Council
of Europe and the Non-Aligned Movement. On the basis of the ZurichLondon agreements Britain maintained two sovereign military bases on the
island with a total combined area of 158,4 square kilometres, consisting of
Dhekelia to the east of Larnaka and Akrotiri-Episkopi near Lemesos
(Limassol). Two treaties were signed as part of the Zurich-London
agreements, the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Guarantee. The latter
gave the right to the three guarantor powers, Britain, Turkey and Greece,
to take action in the event that the provisions of the Treaty were violated.
Monument to Liberty, Lefkosia
Although the Cyprus constitution safeguarded the basic rights and freedoms
of all its citizens, it contained community provisions that made it complex
and non-workable. In 1963 the President of the Republic proposed
constitutional amendments which both the Turkish Cypriot community
leadership and Turkey rejected. The Turkish Cypriots withdrew from the
government and proceeded to set up an illegal Temporary Turkish Cypriot
Adminstration. As a result of subsequent inter-communal conflict that ensued
at the beginning of 1964, a United Nations Security Council resolution
established a U.N Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus.
In 1974 the military junta ruling Greece at the time staged a military coup in Cyprus aiming at
the overthrow of elected President Makarios. Turkey used the coup as a pretext to invade
militarily the island on 20 July 1974 and occupy 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus,
displacing about 200000 Greek Cypriots from the occupied northern part of the island. Despite
international condemnation of Turkey and the acknowledgement of the rights of the Cypriot
people drafted in various resolutions issued by the United Nations, the Security Council, the
Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement and other international organisations, Turkish
troops still illegally occupy the northern part of Cyprus. On 1 May 2004, with its northern part
still under occupation, Cyprus became a full member of the European Union. The accession act
included a protocol which states that implementation of the acquis communautaire on the areas
not controlled by the Cyprus government (as a result of the Turkish invasion) is suspended. This
suspension will be removed as soon as the Cyprus problem is solved. Efforts and negotiations
to find a just and functional solution to the Cyprus problem are continuing.
10 000
14
LEFKOSIA
(NICOSIA)
Lefkosia (Nicosia) is situated practically in the centre of Cyprus and

constitutes a rich cultural hub. The history of the city dates back to
the Bronze age. In antiquity and in early Christian times it was
known as Ledra. It has been the capital of Cyprus since the late
Byzantine period (11th century). The Lusignans transformed it into
a splendid town, with royal palaces and 50 churches. Contemporary
Lefkosia (Nicosia) combines the historic past with the liveliness of a
modern city. The city centre, the old Chora, surrounded by 16th
century walls, with museums, old churches and medieval buildings,
maintains the leisurely atmosphere of yesteryear. Outside the walls,
the modern town with its contemporary comforts pulsates to
cosmopolitan rhythms. Lefkosia (Nicosia) remains the only divided
capital in the world. A few kilometres into the countryside one can
admire superb Byzantine churches and monasteries.
Visitors to Lefkosia (Nicosia) can

get to know the town and feel its
pulse through organised walks,
provided free of charge every
Monday, Thursday and Friday.
Starting point:
CTO Information Office
Time: 10:00 am
Tel: 22674264
2
1. Municipal Theatre
2. St Johns Cathedral and Cyprus Ethnographic Museum
L E F K O S I A
15
PLACES OF INTEREST
THE CYPRUS MUSEUM
1 Museum St
Tel: 22865864, 22865888
Open all the year round
Tue., Wed., Fri.: 08:00-16:00
Thu.: 08:00-17:00, Sat.: 09:00-16:00
Sun.: 10:00-13:00, Mon.: closed
Entrance: 2,00
10 000
16
The Cyprus Museum in Lefkosia (Nicosia) is the

main and largest archaeological museum in
Cyprus. Work on the building commenced in
1908 and was completed in 1924, when Cyprus
was still a British colony. Several extensions were
added later, to reach its present form.
A visit through the collections of the museum
provides an opportunity to experience the
development of Cyprus civilisation, from the
Neolithic age to the Early Byzantine period (7th
century AD). Finds from extensive excavations all
over the island enrich the museums collections
and contribute to the development of Cyprus
archaeology and research into the cultural heritage
of the Mediterranean. The collections consist
of pottery, jewellery, sculpture, coins, copper
objects, and other artifacts,
exhibited in chronological order
in the various museum galleries.
Pieces of important artistic as
well as archaeological and
historical value that are typical
of Cypriot culture include the
cross-shaped idol of the
Chalcolithic period, the Early
Bronze age pottery from Vouni,
the Late Bronze age golden
jewellery from Egkomi and the
1st century BC statue of Aphrodite
of Soloi. The museum is a stop
on the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
The Old City within the walls

BYZANTINE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERIES
Cultural Centre of the Archbishop Makarios III
Byzantine Museum
Foundation
The Byzantine Museum contains the
Archbishopric grounds
richest and most representative
Plateia (square) Archiepiskopou Kyprianou
collection of Byzantine art in Cyprus.
Tel: 22430008
Over 200 icons dating from the 9th to
the 19th century, as well as ecclesiMonday-Friday: 09:00-16:30
astical vessels, robes and books are
Saturday: 09:00-13:00
exhibited in the museum. The 6th
century mosaics from the church of
Entrance: 1,00, 0,20 (for students)
Panagia Kanakaria in Lythragkomi are
the most impressive of all the exhibits.
These mosaics were brought back to Cyprus after having been illegally exported
from the occupied part of the island.
Art Galleries
The four galleries of the Cultural Centre of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation
exhibit a unique collection of representative works of Western-European art dating
from the Renaissance to modern times, as well as Greek and Cypriot masterpieces.
a) The first gallery contains works of western European painters such as Nicolas
Poussin, Eugene Delacroix and others.
b) The second gallery contains 18th and 19th century paintings, engravings and
maps on themes from the 1821 Greek War of Independence.
c) The third gallery contains works of Greek artists from the 19th and 20th century.
d) The fourth gallery contains representative works of 20th century Cypriot artists.
AGIOS IOANNIS (ST. JOHNS) CATHEDRAL

(next to the Archbishopric)
It was built by Archbishop Nikiforos in

Plateia (square) Archiepiskopou Kyprianou
1662 on the site of a 14th century
Benedictine chapel dedicated to St
Monday-Friday: 08:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00
John the Evangelist. It was turned into
Saturday: 08:00-12:00
an Orthodox monastery in 1426 when
(and during Mass)
the Benedictine Order left the island
Entrance free
following the Mameluke raids. The
Orthodox church dedicated to St John
the Theologian, remained a monastery
until the 18th century when Archbishop Sylvester converted it
into a cathedral, establishing it as the seat of the Orthodox
Archbishopric in Cyprus. It is a small single-aisled church with
Franco-Byzantine architectural elements, its high external
buttresses giving the impression from the outside of being a
fortress. It is the only church in Lefkosia (Nicosia) in which
the whole of the internal wall paintings have survived in their
entirety. The four large icons on the icon screen were painted
by the Cretan master, John Kornaro, in 1795 and 1797. Its 18th
century wall paintings depict scenes from the Holy Bible and
the discovery of the tomb of St. Barnabas at Salamis.
L E F K O S I A
17
ARCHBISHOPRIC (NEW AND OLD)

Plateia (square)
Archiepiskopou
Kyprianou
The new Archbishopric, the seat of the

Cyprus Orthodox Church, was built in
1960 in a neo-byzantine style. The Old
Archbishopric, built in 1730, stands
alongside it. Its ground floor houses the
Ethnographic Museum of Cyprus.
ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM OF CYPRUS

Plateia (square)
Archiepiskopou
Kyprianou
Tel: 22432578
Open all
the year round
Tuesday-Friday
09:30-16:00
Saturday: 9:00-13:00
The Ethnographic Museum of Cyprus,

housed on the ground floor of the old
Archbishopric, consists of a large collection of 19th and early 20th century
Cypriot folk art. It includes woodcarved objects, tapestry, embroidery,
pottery, Cypriot folk costumes and
material hand-woven on the loom.
Entrance 1,00
NATIONAL STRUGGLE MUSEUM

Plateia (square)
Archiepiskopou
Kyprianou
Tel: 22305878
The museum houses documents,

photographs and relevant items of the
1955-59 national Liberation Struggle.
Monday-Friday: 08.00-14.00
Thursday: 15.00-17.30
(except July and August)
Entrance free
MUNICIPAL ARTS CENTRE

(Associated with the
Pierides Museum of
Contemporary Art in
Athens)
Apostolou Varnava
19, Lefkosia
Tel: 22797400
All the year round:
During exhibitions
Tuesday-Saturday:
10:00-15:00,
17:00-23:00
Sunday: 10:00-16:00
Entrance free
10 000
18
The building of the old power station,

a fine example of industrial architecture, has since 1994 been the home
of the Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre.
Its aim is to promote fine art in Cyprus.
It has a large exhibition area where it
houses rare and specialist publications
for art lovers. The restoration of the
building was given the
Europa Nostra award
in 1994.
PANAGIA CHRYSALINIOTISSA CHURCH

Chrysaliniotissa Street
It is believed to be the oldest Byzantine

church in Lefkosia (Nicosia). It is dedicated to Panagia Chrysaliniotissa and is believed to have been first built
in 1450 by Queen Eleni Palaiologou.
CHRYSALINIOTISSA CRAFTS CENTRE

Dimonaktos 2, (Corner of
This complex of eight workshops is

Ipponaktos and Dimonaktos Streets)
situated near Chysaliniotissa church, the
el: 22348050, 99629611
oldest Byzantine church in Lefkosia
Monday-Friday: 09:00-13:00,
(Nicosia). The workshops nestle around
15:00-18:00
a central courtyard, in the manner of a
(16:00-19:00 May-September),
traditional inn. They consist of various
Saturday: 10:00-13:00
units engaged in contemporary applications of traditional crafts and a coffee
shop. The Crafts Centre is part of the project to restore and regenerate
the old part of Lefkosia (Nicosia) within the walls.
PYLI AMMOCHOSTOU (FAMAGUSTA GATE)

Leoforos (Avenue) Athinon
Famagusta Gate is one of the three

Tel: 22430877
entrances into old Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Monday-Friday:
through the Venetian walls. The walls
10:00-13:00,
have a perimeter of 4.5 km, with eleven
16:00-19:00
heart-shaped bastions and completely
(17:00-20:00
encircle the old city. The eastern gate
May-September)
(Porta Juliana), known nowadays as
Entrance free
Famagusta Gate, has been restored and
operates as the Nicosia Municipal
Cultural Centre. It consists of a large vaulted passage and two side rooms.
The internal entrance is very impressive, while the external one opens
onto the moat that surrounds the walls.
THE HOUSE OF CHATZIGEORGAKIS KORNESIOS - ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Patriarchou Grigoriou 20
This manor house is one of the most

Tel: 22305316
important surviving 18th century
buildings in Lefkosia (Nicosia). It was
Monday: 08:30-14:00
once the residence of the dragoman of
Tue., Wed., Fri.: 08:30-15:30
Cyprus, Chatzigeorgakis Kornesios,
Thu.: 08:30-17:00
who was executed by the Ottomans in
Sat., Sun.: closed
1809. The office of Dragoman was
introduced in Cyprus at the start of
Entrance: 1,00
Ottoman rule and was abolished in
1821 with the Greek War of
Independence. Dragomans acted as liaisons between the pasha and
the occupied population and were the most important political figures
after the pasha. In the first years of Ottoman rule the dragomans were foreigners or
Greek speaking Franks and later Orthodox Greek Cypriots. Chatzigeorgakis Kornesios
was the most prominent of all the dragomans of Cyprus.
The building was restored by the Department of Antiquities and today houses the
Cyprus Ethnological Museum. In 1988 it was given the Europa Nostra award.
L E F K O S I A
19
OMERIYE MOSQUE (EX AUGUSTINIAN CHURCH)

Trikoupi & Plateia (square) Tillirias
Near the old Municipal Market
The mosque was formerly a 14th

century Augustinian monastery dediThe mosque can be visited whenever
cated to St. Mary. It was converted
there are no worshippers
into a mosque in 1571 by Mustafa
Pasha, the Ottoman conqueror of the
island, who believed that the original church was built on the spot where the caliph
Omer rested when visiting Lefkosia (Nicosia). Most of the original building was
destroyed by Turkish artillery in 1570. Inscribed tombstones from the Lusignan period
were used to install a new floor for the mosque. Visitors can see the remains of a late
Venetian building near the eastern side of the mosque.
OMERIYE BATHS
Plateia (square) Tillirias
el: 22460570
Monday: 11:00-19:00
Entrance fee and
conducted tour (20min):
1,25
The Omeriye Baths were built in the

16th century by Lala Mustafa as a gift to
the city. The bath complex or hammam
was dedicated to the Caliph Omer and
the area became known as Omeriye.
It has now been restored to its
present state.
BAYRAKTAR MOSQUE
The mosque is situated on the
Constanza bastion of the Venetian walls, on the site where a Turkish soldier planted the
colours of the Ottomans on the Venetian Walls during the siege of the town in 1570.
KASTELIOTISSA MEDIEVAL HALL

Opposite Pafos Gate
This hall was part of the Lusignan palace

and dates to the 13th-14th century.
Kasteliotissa, with its strong gothic elements, has been restored by the Department of
Antiquities. It is used today as an exhibition centre and is open to the public only when
functions are held there.
CYPRUS CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM

Granikou 44
Tel: 22680222, 99543215
Monday-Friday:
09:30-13:00 and
15:30-18:00
Saturday: 09:30-13:00
Entrance: 1,00
10 000
20
The Classic Motorcycle Museum was

created by motorcycle collector, Andreas
Nicolaou. The 150 motorbikes of the
museum date from 1914 to 1983.
The exhibits include AJS Norton,
Triumph and BSA motorcycles, as well
as three police bikes that formed part
of Archbishop Makarios police escort,
a motorcycle belonging to EOKA hero
Stylianos Lenas and one belonging to
Turkish Cypriot champion Zeki Isa. The
museum also houses an exhibition of
photographs.
HOLY CROSS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

el: 22662132
The Church of the Holy Cross, built in

1902, is situated near Pafos Gate, one
of the three entrances into the town through the Venetian walls surrounding
Lefkosia (Nicosia). The church does not belong to any definite style and its
architectural features are austere. The cross of Jerusalem can be seen in the
faade.
LAIKI GEITONIA (TRADITIONAL NEIGHBOURHOOD)

Near Plateia (square) Eleftherias
This area has seen the restoration of

houses that are typical examples of
traditional Cypriot urban architecture
and are used today as shops, restaurants
and craft centres.
A restored pedestrian area within the

walled city, 200m east of Eleftheria
Square
The office of the Cyprus Tourism

Organisation in Laiki Geitonia is the
start of organised walks through the old
town of Lefkosia (Nicosia).
LEVENTIS MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF LEFKOSIA

Ippokratous 17, Laiki Geitonia
This is the only historical museum of

Tel: 22661475
Lefkosia (Nicosia) that presents the
social and historical development of
Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00-16:30
the city, from the Chalcolithic age to
the present day. Founded in 1984, it is
Closed during public holidays
named after its donor, the Anastasios
Entrance free
G. Leventis Foundation, which bought
and restored the building. The museum
is administered by the Municipality of Lefkosia (Nicosia). The collection
includes archaeological finds, traditional costumes, photographs, medieval
pottery, maps, engravings, jewellery and furniture.
LEDRA STREET OBSERVATORY

Ledra street, Shakolas Tower Building
The observatory on the 11th floor of

the Shakolas Tower Building provides a
panoramic view of the whole town of
Lefkosia (Nicosia). Visitors can admire
unobstructed all round views of the
city and its landmarks.
Tel: 22679369
Monday-Sunday: 10:00-20:00
(April-October)
Monday-Sunday:
09:30-16:00
(November March)
Entrance: 0,50
L E F K O S I A
21
MUSEUM OF THE GEORGE AND NEFELI GIABRA PIERIDES COLLECTION

Donated by Clio and Solon Triantafyllides
Phaneromenis 86-90
The museum presents one of the most

important collections of Greek
Tel: 22677134
Mycenaean pottery. Due to the wideOpen all the year round
spread export of this pottery style
Monday-Saturday: 10:00-17:00
especially in the Eastern Mediterranean,
such pottery was reproduced locally in
other regions such as in Cyprus and in
Entrance free
Syria. Of special significance is a unique
anthropomorphic vessel. The collection
is enriched by white slip pottery and base ring pottery, two typical styles of pottery
from the Late Bronze age in Cyprus. The richest part of the collection consists of
limestone sculptures from the 6th century BC to the Hellenistic period. The museum
is linked with the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
FANEROMENI CHURCH
Onasagorou Street, within the old city
Built in 1872 within the old city walls,

Faneromeni church is one of the largest
churches of Lefkosia (Nicosia). The marble mausoleum to the east of the church
contains the relics of the bishops and priests executed by the Ottomans in 1821.
Opposite the church is the school of Faneromeni, one of the most historic academic
institutions in Cyprus.
STAVROS TOU MISSIRIKOU CHURCH

Lefkonos Street
Near Faneromeni church
Stavros tou Missirikou is a medieval

Orthodox church converted into a
mosque when Cyprus was taken over
by the Ottomans in 1571. Originally built in the first half of the 16th century, it is
a Frankish building whose architectural style is a blend of Byzantine, Gothic and
Italian renaissance elements. It was named after the Frankish King of Cyprus Henry
II (Monsieur Erikou), who reigned from 1285 to 1324.
TRYPIOTIS CHURCH
Solonos Steet, near Laiki Geitonia
Built by Archbishop Germanos II in

1695, it is an example of FrancoByzantine style architecture. The interior of the church is rich, with an unusually
wide icon-stand and silver-plated icons.
CYPRUS POSTAL MUSEUM

Agiou Savva 3B Street, Laiki Geitonia
Tel: 22304711
Monday-Friday: 09:00-15:00
Saturday: 09:00-13:00
Entrance free
10 000
22
The museum has a collection of Cyprus

stamps from 1880 until today. The
collection is accompanied by a display
of objects related to the history of the
islands Postal Services.
Outside the walls

CYPRUS HANDICRAFT CENTRE
The Cyprus Handicraft Centre has
workshops and an outlet for producing
and selling traditional folk art and crafts
such as pottery, basketry, copperware,
wood-carving, embroidery and lace,
mosaics, traditional costumes, dolls,
leather goods and other genuine
Cypriot handicarfts.
Leoforos (Avenue) Athalassas 186

Tel: 22305024
Workshops opening hours:
Thursday afternoons: 15:00-18:00
(except July and August)
The outlet is open during normal
shopping hours
CYPRUS POLICE MUSEUM

The museum was originally founded
in 1933 during British colonial times
as a Criminal Museum by the then
British Chief of Police of the colonial
government.
Evangelou Floraki,
within the Police Headquarters building
Tel. 22808793
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 08:00-14:00
Entrance free
A substantial part of the museum is
dedicated to the history of the Cyprus
Police Force, from the British period up to the present time. The visitor can
see uniforms, arms, equipment and police vehicles, as well as musical
instruments, photographs and documents of the Police Band. The Museum
also houses objects and documents from the Second World War and
the1955-59 Liberation Struggle.
MUSEUM ON THE HISTORY OF CYPRIOT COINAGE

Stasinou 51
The
museum
Agia Paraskevi Bank of Cyprus
collections trace
Headquarters
the developTel: 22677134
ment of Cypriot
coinage from the
September - April:
6th century BC to
Monday: 08:30-17:00
today. Two thousand six hundred years
of turbulent Cypriot history portrayed
through the display of 370 coins. The
Entrance free
collections are divided into nine time
periods and are an important source of
information on Cyprus numismatic
history. The museum is linked to the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
STATE GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY CYPRIOT ART

The gallery is housed in a restored
building. The collections consist of
paintings and sculptures by 20th
century Cypriot artists.
Corner Leoforos (Avenue)

Stasinou & Kritis Street
Tel: 22458228
Saturday: 10:00-12:45
Entrance free
L E F K O S I A
23
ST. PAULS ANGLICAN CHURCH

Leoforos (Avenue) Lordou Vyronos
The church of St Paul was built in 1893

when Cyprus was part of the British
Empire. The influence of politics on
architecture is evidenced by the structural elements of the building which
is reminiscent of an English parish church.
Tel: 22677897
VON WORLD PENS HALL

Leoforos (Avenue) Dimostheni Severi 37
Tel: 22463204
Opening hours:
Winter:
Monday-Friday: 09:00-13:00,
15:00-19:00
(June-September:16:00-20:00)
Saturday: 09:00-13:00
Entrance: 2.00 (1,00 for children)
The Von World Pens Hall is the only

pen museum in Europe. Its collection
includes more than 2000 pens from all
known pen manufacturers. Some of the
objects in the museum date back to the
15th and 16th century. In addition to
pens, the collections of the museum
also include Victorian era pencils, seals,
inkwells and typewriters.
FILAKISMENA MNIMATA (Incarcerated Graves)

Central Prison
In an enclosure within the Central

Prison complex rest nine young men
convicted and hanged by the British
Sunday: 08:00-13:00
Administration, during the course of the
Liberation Struggle of 1955-59. They
are Michail Karaolis, Andreas Dimitriou,
Iacovos Patatsos, Andreas Zakos, Charilaos Michail, Stelios Mavrommatis,
Andreas Panagides, Michail Koutsoftas, Evagoras Pallikarides. It is also the
resting place of four other EOKA heroes who died in combat (Markos
Drakos, Grigoris Afxentiou, Stylianos Lenas, Kyriakos Matsis). After
Independence the area was converted into a place of veneration and aptly
named Filakismena Mnimata (Incarcerated Graves), from a painting by
Cypriot artist Pol Georgiou. To the inside right of the enclosure lie the
graves of the young heroes and to the left are the cells where they were
kept, as well as the noose used for the executions.
Tel: 22406000
KYKKOS MONASTERY DEPENDENCY (Metochi Monis Kykkou)

Prokopiou
Street,
Egkomi
10 000
24
The dependency of Kykkos Monastery

in Lefkosia was established in 1890. It
is a solitary institution, dependent on
the Monastery of Kykkos.
Greater Lefkosia (Nicosia) District area

WEST
TOMB OF MAKEDONITISSA
Makedonitissa area, 3km west of Lefkosia
A military cemetery and war memorial,

(Nicosia)
near the monastery of Makedonitissa.
Officers and soldiers who died
defending Cyprus during the Turkish invasion in 1974 are buried here.
ARCHANGELOS MICHAIL MONASTERY

Lefkosia (Nicosia) Anthoupolis road
The church of the monastery dates to the

Byzantine period. It was rebuilt in 1636
and in 1713 it came under Kykkos Monastery. The monastery was founded by
Archbishop Nikiforos, whose tomb can be seen in the narthex of the church. The
icon-stand dates to 1650. The monastery has a 1785 fresco depicting the Archangel
Michael. Today the monastery houses the Kykko Monastery Research Centre.
CHURCH OF SAINTS BARNABAS AND HILARION

Peristerona village,
The church is dedicated to Saints

27km from Lefkosia (Nicosia) on the Lefkosia
Barnabas and Hilarion. It was probably
(Nicosia) Troodos road.
built in the 9th or 10th century and is
an outstanding example of Cypriot
Byzantine architecture. Next to the church lies the Turkish mosque of Peristerona,
one of many visible evidences of the peaceful coexistence between Greek and
Turkish Cypriots prior to the 1974 Turkish invasion.
AGIOS PANTELEIMON CONVENT

An 18th century convent with a gabled
roof, restored shortly after 1960.
1.5km northwest of Agrokipia village
SOUTHWEST
PANCYPRIAN GEOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM
This is the island's first geographical and
natural history museum. It was established by the Strovolos Municipality. It
displays specimens of the island's
flora, sedimentary and metamorphic
rocks and minerals, as well as historic
and modern maps and charts of Cyprus.
Strovolos Municipality
Leoforos (Avenue) Strovolou 100
Tel: 22470407
Thursday: 08:00-18:00
Entrance free
L E F K O S I A
25
PANAGIA CHRYSOSPILIOTISSA CHURCH

Near Kato Deftera Village,
11km southwest of Nicosia
This church in the shape of a catacomb

is built inside a natural cave and is
dedicated to the Lady of the Golden
Cave. The church possibly dates back to the early Christian period. This
type of church is rare in Cyprus but common in the Near East. Sadly the
decorated walls of the cave have suffered great damage and the frescoes
are no longer visible. A large religious festival is held on 15 August, the
day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.
POLITIKO - ROYAL TOMBS OF TAMASSOS

Politiko village,
17km southwest of
Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Tamassos, rich in copper ore, was an

important city-kingdom in ancient
times. Excavations have brought to light
Tel: 22622619
the Royal Tombs, copper workshops
and the Temple of Aphrodite-Astarte.
Daily: 09:30-17:00
Impressive archaeological finds from
08:00-16:00 November - March
Tamassos are the six oversized
Entrance: 1,00
limestone statues dating back to the 6th
century BC. They are now exhibited in
the Cyprus Museum in Lefkosia (Nicosia). Tamassos is linked to the
Aphrodite Cultural Route.
AGIOS IRAKLEIDIOS CONVENT

Politiko village,
500m from the Royal Tombs.
Irakleidios, the son of a pagan priest,

was ordained Bishop of Tamassos by
Tel: 22623950
Saints Paul and Barnabas. He was
Open daily (closed 12:00-15:00)
martyred at the age of 60 and buried in
The convent is open for groups
the cave where he had lived and from
only on Mondays, Tuesdays and
where he preached the Gospel. In 400
Thursdays, from 09:00 to 12:00
AD a church was built over his grave.
The monastery was destroyed and
rebuilt several times. Todays buildings
date back to 1773 when Archbishop Chrysanthos restored the church and
convent cells. The saints relics are kept inside the church. Today the
monastery functions as a convent.
MACHAIRAS MONASTERY
40km south of Lefkosia (Nicosia)
through the village of Deftera
One of the oldest and most important

monasteries in Cyprus. It was founded
Tel: 22359334
by two monks in 1148, when a
miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary was
Open daily: 08:00-17:30
found in a nearby cave. During Ottoman
The monastery is open for groups
rule it was an educational centre, as were
only on Mondays,
the other monasteries of Cyprus. This is
Tuesdays and Thursdays, from
the cloister monastery of Archbishop
09:00 to 12:00
Kyprianos, who was executed by the
Turks together with hundreds of other
clerics and laymen on 9 July 1821. The brotherhood follows equally strict
rules here as the brotherhood at Mount Athos in Greece.
10 000
26
Every year on 15 August and on 8 September a large religious fair is held

here. About 2km north of Machairas monastery lies the hide-out of
Grigoris Afxentiou, hero of the 1955-59 Liberation Struggle. On 3 March
1957 British troops surrounded his hide-out and called upon Afxentiou to
surrender. He refused and after 7 hours of battle the British poured petrol
into the hide-out and blew it up. Afxentiou perished. Personal belongings
of the hero are exhibited in a special museum.
The vestry of Machairas monastery, which is situated in the basement, has
been restored and set up thanks to a donation by the A. G. Leventis
Foundation. It consists of the original monks cells, as well as restored
stables and storehouses. The vestry maintains a room where the old books
and manuscripts of the monastery are kept, exhibition areas and storage
rooms with icons and ecclesiastic objects.
FIKARDOU VILLAGE AND RURAL MUSEUM

Deserted at the beginning of the 19th
century, the village of Fikardou has
been declared an ancient monument
and carefully restored to preserve its
18th century houses with their remarkable woodwork and folk architecture.
The House of Katsinioros and the
House of Achilleas Dimitri, sections of
which date back to the 16th century,
have been restored and constitute a
vivid example of rural Cypriot
architecture. These buildings house the
Rural Museum. In 1987 the village
received the Europa Nostra Award.
Machairas-Lefkosia (Nicosia)
road via Klirou, 1km east of the
village of Gourri
Tel: 22634731
Daily: 09:00-17:00
(08:00-16.00 November - March)
Entrance: 1,00
SOUTH
ATHALASSA NATIONAL FOREST PARK
Athalassa park has a Visitors Centre
that provides information about the
environmental features of the park. A
scale model replica of the park shows
its basic natural features, vegetation
and recreational facilities. Dioramas
give three-dimensional representations
of the area vegetation, birds, mammals
and reptiles. Geological samples, fossils
and related objects are exhibited in a
separate room, while visuals are used
to present the local fauna and flora.
Athalassa Visitor Centre

Leoforos (Avenue) Keryneias 1,
Aglantzia
Tel: 22462943
Opening hours:
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 07:30-14:30
Thursday: 07.30-14.00,
15:00-18:00
Closed on public holidays
Entrance: 0,50
L E F K O S I A
27
CYPRUS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Cyprus Carlsberg
Brewerys grounds Lakkia (Latsia) area
To arrange
a visit call
Tel: 22471111
Monday-Friday:
09:00-16:00
Entrance free
The Cyprus Museum of Natural History

was founded by The Photos Photiades
Charity, Scientific and Cultural
Foundation. It is the largest museum of
its kind in Cyprus. Most of the
museum's approximately 2500 exhibits
consist of stuffed mammals, birds, fish,
reptiles and insects, as well as rocks,
minerals, semiprecious stones, shells
and fossils.
AGIA VARVARA VILLAGE: EARLY-INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM

To arrange a visit call
Tel: 99888070
The early industrial workshop of Agia

Varvara is unique in Cyprus. It
combines the traditional house with the
place of work. The workshop uses equipment from the 1920s,
such as a flourmill, olive press and wine press.
DALI REGION
About 20km south of
Lefkosia (Nicosia), on
the Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Larnaka/Lemesos
(Limassol) road
Monuments from all periods of Cyprus

history can be found in the region. In
the town of Dali lies the archaeological
site of ancient Idalion, one of the citykingdoms of ancient Cyprus. The region
is linked with the Aphrodite cultural
route. Its strategic position, the
presence of water and fertile land were factors that contributed
to the areas flourishing between the 8th and 5th centuries BC.
According to legend, Dali is where Adonis, Aphrodites lover,
was killed by her jealous lover Aris, the Olympian god of war.
The Byzantine church of Agioi Apostoloi is situated at Pera
Chorio in the Dali region. It contains some of the most exquisite
frescoes found in Cyprus, dating back to the late 12th century
and considered to be some of the most beautiful examples of
Comnenian art. Of interest is the church of Agios
Demetrianos (13th century).
Medieval ruins can be found in the region of the
village of Potamia, including those of a summer
palace of the Frankish kings and queens of Cyprus
and a Gothic church.
10 000
28
LEMESOS
(LIMASSOL)
Lemesos (Limassol), the second largest city of the

island, lies between two ancient city-kingdoms:
Amathous to the east and Kourion to the west. The
city developed after the destruction of Amathous by
Richard the Lionheart in 1191. Many important
antiquities, Byzantine and Frankish monuments are
found in the city of Lemesos, evidence of its long
history. Today Lemesos is the islands main port,
the centre of Cyprus wine industry and a major
tourist resort. The city is also
known for its lively Carnival
celebrations, the annual Wine
Festival and the traditional,
spontaneous hospitality of its
inhabitants. In the nearby
mountainous regions of the
district one finds beautiful
wine producing villages, the
cosmopolitan mountain resort
of Platres and the picturesque
region of Pitsilia.
Visitors to Lemesos (Limassol) can get to know the

city by taking part in free organised walks held
every Monday.
Starting point: CTO Information Office
Spyrou Araouzou 115A
Tel: 25362756
Time: 10:00 am
1. Kolossi Medieval castle

2. Public library
L E M E S O S
29
PLACES OF INTEREST
LEMESOS (LIMASSOL) MEDIEVAL CASTLE / MUSEUM
Richardou & Berengarias,
near the old port
Lemesos (Limassol) castle was built in

the 13th century on the site of an earlier
Tel: 25305419
Byzantine castle near the old harbour.
According to archaeological sources, the
castle was much larger in its original
Sunday: 10:00-13:00
form. The Venetians strengthened its
walls to ward off sea-pirates. Legend
Entrance: 2,00
has it that Richard the Lionheart, the
King of England and leader of the 3rd
Crusade, married Berengaria of Navarre here in 1191. In 1570 the Ottomans
conquered the castle and used it as a garrison and gaol. During British rule it
functioned as a police station and briefly as a detainment place. Today the castle
houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum, whose exhibits include medieval pottery,
superb silver Byzantine era plates, tombstones, weapons, crosses and coins.
CAROB MUSEUM
Vassilissi str., behind the Medieval castle
The Carob Mill was built in 1900, at a

time when carobs were a major export
Open Daily
of Cyprus. They were used to make a
wide variety of products such as
Entrance free
photographic filmplates, medicines,
sweets and chocolates. The machinery
used in processing the carobs is preserved and displayed in a renovated building,
blending the authentic atmosphere of the past with the sophisticated high-tech
look of the present. The Carob Mill area has been divided into a complex of two
distinct areas: the first area consists of the restored Carob Mill and the second
houses the Evagoras Lanitis Centre, an arts and exhibitions area.
Tel: 25762828
MUNICIPAL FOLK ART MUSEUM

Agiou Andreou 253
Tel: 25362303
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday:
15:00-17:30
(June-September:
16:00-18:30)
Entrance: 0,50
10 000
30
The renovated building housing the

Municipal Museum showcases collections of 19th and 20th century Cypriot
folk art. Over 500 exhibits are
displayed in six rooms. These include
interesting urban attire, traditional
costumes, furniture, wood carvings,
embroidery and jewellery. In 1989 the
museum was awarded the Europa
Nostra award.
KEBIR MOSQUE (THE GREAT MOSQUE)

At the intersection of Genethliou Mitella Str.,
Kebir Mosque was built in the 16th

Zig-Zag Str. and Jami Str.
century and is still operational today.
Recent excavations to the east have
revealed the architectural remains of the 10th century cathedral of Agia Ekaterini. The
mosque is one of the most important places of worship for the Moslems of Lemesos
(Limassol).
AGIA NAPA CHURCH

Agiou Andreou Street
The church was built towards the end

of the 19th century and early 20th
century, replacing an older 18th century church. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
According to tradition it takes its name from an icon of the Virgin Mary, which was found
in a glen (Napa in Latin means glen). Another source says that the church owes its name
to a temple built in the Frankish period, dedicated to the Holy Nappe of St Berenice,
known by the name of Saint Nape.
LEMESOS (LIMASSOL) DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

The Lemesos (Limassol) Archaeological
Museum houses a rich and notable collection of antiquities from the Neolithic
age to the Roman period, originating
from excavations at archaeological sites
in the Lemesos (Limassol) region.
Anastasi Sioukri & Vyronos 5,

near the Municipal Gardens
Tel: 25305157
Tue., Wed., Fri., Sat.: 08:00-15:00
Thursday: 08:00-17:00
Monday, Sunday: closed
The exhibits are housed in three rooms

Entrance: 1,00
and are divided into three main
categories. The first room contains
pottery from different historical
periods, the middle room has coins,
jewellery, lamps and a variety of copper tools and objects, while the third has sculptures,
tombstones, capitals, inscriptions and other marble and limestone artifacts. Exhibits
include a variety of objects related to the cult of Aphrodite, such as fertility and other
votive offerings and female terracotta figurines. The museum is linked with the
LEMESOS (LIMASSOL) MUNICIPAL ART GALLERY

The gallery contains collections of
paintings of well-known contemporary
Cypriot artists, among them Adamantios
Diamantis, Christophoros Savva and
Telemachos Kanthos.
28 Octovriou 103
Tel: 25586212
All the year round
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 08:30-13:30, 15:00-17:30
Thursday: 08:30-13:30
Entrance: 0,50
SCULPTURE PARK
Sixteen sculptures made by local and
foreign artists are exhibited in the park,
the products of sculpture symposiums
held from 1999-2001.
On the sea-front promenade
L E M E S O S
31
ST. CATHERINES CATHOLIC CHURCH

28 Octovriou 259
The Church was built in 1879 by

architect
Friar
Francesco
da
Monghidoro from Bologna, following
the architectural style for similar
buildings of that period throughout Europe. He used an interior baroque style, whilst
opting for an eclectic design on the exterior faade. The walls on the apse and its
vault are decorated with neo-byzantine frescos, which were repainted during
renovations in 1979.
Tel: 25362946
MUSEUM OF STRATEGOS GEORGIOS GRIVAS DIGENIS

Griva Digeni 70 (Hide-out of Digenis)
Tel: 25582107
Entrance free
The museum houses personal belongings of Digenis, leader of the EOKA

Liberation Struggle 1955-59. Next to the
museum lies Digenis burial place.
Greater Lemesos (Limassol) District area

WEST
KOLOSSI MEDIEVAL CASTLE
14km west of Lemesos (Limassol),
on the road to Pafos
Kolossi castle is a fine example of

military architecture. It was originally
Tel: 25934907
built in the 13th century and rebuilt in
Daily:08:00-17:00 November-March
its present form in the 15th century.
08:00-18:00 April-May, September-October
After the fall of Acre in 1291 it served
08:00-19:30 June-August
as the Grand Commandery of the
Knights of the Order of St. John of
Entrance: 1,00
Jerusalem and in the 14th century came
under the domain of the Knights
Templar. During their stay in Cyprus, the Knights produced and exported a sweet
wine, which became known as the vin de Commanderie. Today Commandaria
wine is one of Cyprus traditional wines and one of the oldest named wines in the
world, having had the same name for eight centuries. Next to the castle are the ruins
of a 14th century sugar mill.
THE CYPRUS WINE MUSEUM

Erimi Village, on the Lemesos-Pafos road
Tel: 25873808
All the year round
Monday to Sunday: 09.00-17.00
Entrance: 2,50 adults
different presentations. Ancient jars and

documents and instruments illustrate the
wine production.
10 000
32
The Wine Museum offers a unique

opportunity to learn about the history
of wine production in Cyprus. The
various stages of wine production and
consumption, as well as the various
uses of wine, are shown through
canisters, medieval drinking vessels, old
social, economic and symbolic aspects of
KOURION ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Episkopi village,
A traditional house with superb views

over the bay of Agios Ermogenis houses
the local Archaeological Museum of
Kourion. The exhibits consist of finds
from the nearby archaeological sites and
include red polished ware of the Early
Bronze age, pottery and golden jewellery
of the Mycenaean era and a large number
of offerings from the nearby Sanctuary of
Apollon Ylatis.
14km west of Lemesos (Limassol),

4km before reaching Kourion site
Tel: 25932453
Thursday: 08:00-17:00
Saturday and Sunday closed
Entrance: 1,00
KOURION ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

19km west of Lemesos (Limassol)
Kourion was an important cityon the road to Pafos

kingdom in antiquity and one of the
Tel: 25934250
most impressive archaeological sites in
Daily:
Cyprus. The magnificent Greco-Roman
08:00-17:00 November-March
theatre was built in the 2nd century BC
08:00-18:00 April-May, Septemberand extended in the 2nd century AD.
October
Today the theatre has been completely
08:00-19.30 June - August
restored and is used for musical and
theatrical performances. Excavations
Entrance: 1,00
have unearthed the House of
Eustolios, originally a private villa,
which during the early Christian period
was turned into a public recreation centre. It consists of a complex of baths
and rooms with beautiful 5th century AD mosaic floors. The early Christian
basilica dates back to the 5th century AD and was probably the Cathedral
of Kourion, with separate baptistery on the external northern side. The
House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators were named after
their superb mosaic floors. Other parts of the town include private villas and
an impressive Nymphaeum, dedicated to water nymphs. The Stadium lies
1km to the west, on the right side of the road towards Pafos and dates back
to the 2nd century AD. A roof structure allows visitors to enjoy the site all
year round.
KOURION STADIUM
Entrance free
Kourion stadium, with a capacity for

6000 spectators, is the only ancient
stadium found in Cyprus. It dates to the 2nd century AD. According to
archaeological sources, ancient pentathlon events took place here.
L E M E S O S
33
SANCTUARY OF APOLLON YLATIS

3km west of Kourion on the road to Pafos
Tel: 25991049
Daily:
08:00-17:00 November-March
08:00-18:00 April-May, September-October
Entrance: 1,00
Apollon Ylatis, god of the woodland,

was the protector of Kourion.
According to archaeological sources he
was worshipped here from the 8th
century BC to the 4th century AD. His
sanctuary was an important religious
centre. It consisted of Apollos temple,
which has been partly restored, pilgrim
halls, the 'palaistra', a bath complex, and
a holy precinct.
ANOGYRA VILLAGE
1. Pastelli Museum
Entrance free
To arrange a visit call: 25222357
The Pastelli museum is a small museum

depicting the manufacture of pastelli, a
traditional sweet delight made from
carobs.
2. Olive Park - Oleastro

Tel: 99525093, 99565768
Educational and fun park encapsulating

60,000 years of olive culture. It houses
an ecological oil mill, representations
Entrance: 1,50 (1,00 for children)
of a biological olive grove, as well as
demonstrations of various methods of
olive pressing from the beginning until
modern times, agricultural activities and traditions surrounding the olive.
Open daily: 10:00-19:00
3. Church of Timios Stavros

Situated south-west of the village, the
church has 15th century murals of
Paleologic technique. The church is built in the north-east corner of an early
Christian basilica that was divided into rooms known as monastery.
AKROTIRI ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION CENTRE

Akrotiri village, 13km west of Lemesos (Limassol)
Situated at Akrotiri village the Centre

has been operating since October 2004.
Open every day (including weekends and public
It has an exhibition room, library,
holidays): 08:30-15:00
projection room and observation kiosk.
It offers educational programmes for
Entrance free, Disabled access
schools on the history and habitat of
the region. Visitors can view exhibits
related to the protected Akrotiri peninsula, the geological formation of the region and
can admire the view of the nearby salt lake.
Tel: 25826562
10 000
34
AGIOS NIKOLAOS TON GATON CONVENT

(ST. NICHOLAS OF THE CATS)
Agios Nikolaos ton Gaton (St. Nicholas
On Cape Gata near Lemesos
of the Cats) is possibly the oldest
(Limassol), south east of Akrotiri
monastery in Cyprus. The monastery
Salt Lake
chapel, which dates to the 14th
century, was abandoned in the 16th
century and was reinstated by Orthodox nuns in the early 1980s.
According to tradition, the monastery was founded by St. Helena, mother
of Emperor Constantine the Great, who left a piece of wood from the
Holy Cross there. During that period Cyprus experienced a severe
drought, as a result of which many people fled from the cape and the area
became infested by snakes. Then Constantine the Great sent a
commander to Cyprus called Kalokeros, who released thousands of cats
to the Cape in order to exterminate the snakes and thus save the area.
NORTH
AGIA ANASTASIA CHURCH
Polemidia village
This is a complex of two churches. The

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday:
older one, possibly dating to the 12th
09:00-16:00
century, is on the east side and is a crossin-square domed church. The second
church on the west side was added in the 14th century and built in the same
architectural style. The surviving mural paintings date to the 14th and 15th
centuries.
KOURIS VALLEY
Kouris Valley, about 20 minutes from
Lemesos (Limassol), has a number of important Byzantine monuments.
They include the 12th century church of the Monastery of Panagia tis
Amasgou, the church of Timios Stavros at Kouka village and the church of
Archangelos at Monagri.
The vaulted church of the Monastery of Panagia tis Amasgou dates to the
12th century and has a second roof made of wood and tiles. The church
has a series of wall paintings from the 12th, 14th and 16th centuries. The
monastery functions nowadays as a convent.
The church of Archangelos at Monagri was built in 1740 on the
foundations of an older monastery that had burned down. Of interest is
its wood-carved icon-stand. The northern buildings of the monastery
have been restored and turned into an art centre.
The church of Timios Stavros at Kouka possesses a superb example of
Paleologian art in a 14th century wall painting.
Also worth visiting in the area is the picturesque village of Laneia, beloved
village of artisans.
L E M E S O S
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KRASSOCHORIA (The Wine Villages)

The area, known as the Krassochoria (the Wine Villages) is located north
of Lemesos (Limassol), on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountain
range. Traditional forms of viticulture are still kept alive in these villages.
Wine production is still the main occupation
for most of the inhabitants. The area villages
house various local wine museums, well
worth a visit. This is the area which produces
the islands renowned dry red wine. The area
is best reached from the Lemesos-Pafos road,
turning right after Erimi village.
Koilani village
Ecclesiastical Museum
Viniculture Museum
To arrange a visit please call
99979543, 99608196
Koilani is an attractive wine-producing

village. On the outskirts of the village sits
the single-aisled vaulted church of Agia
Mavri dating to the 12th century, with
wall paintings from the 15th century.
The Koilani Ecclesiastical Museum was

created by the Holy Bishopric of Lemesos (Limassol) as a district branch of the
larger Byzantine Museum being planned in the city itself. It houses a collection
of icons and ecclesiastical objects from the parish. The museum occupies a two
room building in the courtyard of Panagia Eleousa church. The exhibits span a
period of about seven centuries and include pieces of an icon-stand from 1735,
icons dating from the 13th to the 19th centuries, holy utensils and old books.
The museum of Viniculture (currently under refurbishment) is housed in a
traditional village house. Viniculture equipment and items of folk art are on
exhibit. In the yard, a large cauldron used for the preparation of the local
beverage zivania can also be seen.
Omodos
11km southwest
of Platres village
The wine producing village of

Omodos, built on the Troodos hillsides
amidst expanses of vines, with its
narrow cobbled streets and the majestic monastery in the village square, is
one of the most picturesque villages in Cyprus.
Omodos was once the property of Sir John de Brie, Prince of Galilee, as
was the Monastery of Stavros (Holy Cross), in the centre of the village. The
monastery contains old icons, excellent wood carvings and other
ecclesiastical objects of interest, as well as a small museum of the national
Liberation Struggle of 1955-59. An old wine-press known as Linos is a short
distance from the Monastery and is open to visitors.
10 000
36
Foini village
Pylavakion Museum
Nestling in the heart of the Troodos
(Pottery)
mountains amidst green and fragrant
pines is yet another picturesque village,
Tel: 25421508
that of Foini. According to tradition, the
Entrance: 1,00
village was named after a Frankish lord,
Juan de Fejniu or Feniu, while another
says its name originates from the Greek word for
palm tree foinikas. The village is renowned for
its pottery, for the manufacture of traditional
furniture and for the local loukoumi (delight).
The Pylavakion, a private museum of folk art,

displays examples of local pottery, traditional
agricultural tools and kitchen utensils.
Vasa village
Vasa is one of the most important wine
producing villages of the region with
Entrance free
over 40% of its agricultural land being
allocated to viticulture. Some of the
best red wines of the island are produced here. It is a picturesque
village with cobbled streets and traditional architecture.
The ecclesiastical museum of Vasa houses important icons and

religious objects.
To arrange a visit one has to contact the village priest.
Arsos village
Folk Art Museum
One of the largest wine producing
villages of Cyprus. There are two
To arrange a visit
versions as to where it derives its name:
please call: 25943223,
one suggests it comes from the Holy
25243347
Alsos (grove) of the goddess Aphrodite,
Entrance: 0,25
where the village is built, the other that
it was one of the four towns founded
by Ptolemy Philadelphos in honour of
Arsinoe. It has been associated with wine production since ancient
times. Nowadays most inhabitants still make their own wine, while
the village womenfolk have a reputation for the special dishes they
prepare using wine. The Folk Art Museum of Arsos is housed in a
traditional house. Its exhibits present traditional village way of life.
Fasoula Village
Agricultural Museum
The village of Fasoula dates back to the

Entrance free
Middle Ages and is depicted on old
maps of Cyprus with the name Fasula
or Pasula. The most likely origin of the name is that it comes from
the Frankish word Fasoula meaning scythe, the tool for
harvesting. The Agricultural Museum is in a traditional house and
contains agricultural tools, such as a plough, yoke, scythe and
earthenware jars for everyday use or for storing wine or olive oil.
L E M E S O S
37
EAST
AMATHOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
11km east of
Lemesos city
centre
Amathous is one of the ancient citykingdoms of Cyprus where, according

to mythology, Greek hero Theseus left
Daily:
the pregnant Ariadne to be attended by
08:00-17:00
local women. Amathous was an
November-March
important site of worship of the goddess
08:00-18:00
Aphrodite-Astarte. Archaeological finds
April-May, September-October
originate from several tombs, one of
08:00-19:30
which was found in the front entrance
June-August
of the present Amathus hotel, others at
Entrance: 1,00
the Acropolis and the lower section of
the town, and in five early Christian
basilicas. The finds date from the
Archaic to the Roman and Christian periods. A pair of enormous stone
vases, the largest ever discovered, were found here, one of which is
now at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The site is also linked to the
AGIA CHRISTINA CHURCH GERMASOGEIA VILLAGE

To arrange a visit call
Germasogeia
Municipality:
Tel: 25879898
Situated in the centre of Germasogeia

village, the church of Agia Christina was
built in the 12th century and was
restored in 1996. During the restoration
work 14th and 15th century wall
paintings were uncovered under the plaster and were restored. The
small church which also houses an ecclesiastic museum has a level
roof, the result of subsequent structural interventions.
CHURCH OF PANAGIA IAMATIKI - ARAKAPAS VILLAGE

The church of Panagia Iamatiki is
situated on the outskirts of the village of Arakapas. It is a three-aisled
wooden roofed church and contains sophisticated wall paintings of the
early 16th century that are among the most important surviving
examples in Cyprus of the Italo-Byzantine style of art. An extraordinary
leather icon of the Virgin (in the nearby new church) is believed to
have special curative powers.
AGIOS GEORGIOS ALAMANOS CONVENT

Originally founded as a monastery in
the 12th century, today it functions as a
convent. The nuns, besides performing their
religious duties, spend their time with icon
painting, cultivation of flowers and herbs and
in the production of honey.
10 000
38
LARNAKA
Larnaka may pride itself for its

contribution to the islands rich cultural
heritage. Built on the site where ancient
Kition once stood, it is the successor of
one of the ancient city-kingdoms of
Cyprus and the seat of Christianity from
its earliest years. Kition was the birthplace
of Zeno, the Greek philosopher, who
founded the Stoic school of thought, and
the second home of Jesus friend, Lazarus.
The Achaean Greeks settled in the town
in the 13th century BC, while Phoenicians
moved here from the 9th century BC. In
the 18th century AD it became Cyprus
commercial centre, the place where all
European consuls established their
missions. The new city, Larnaka, has a
charm of its own. In the winter months
thousands of flamingoes, wild swans and
other migrating birds make their annual
stopover at the nearby salt lake. The
district of Larnaka has many interesting
places to visit, particularly ancient,
Byzantine and Moslem monuments, such
as the renowned Hala Sultan Tekkesi.
Larnaka promenade Foinikoudes
Larnaka Municipality offers free walks through the old city, so that visitors
can get to know its character and atmosphere. The walks start every
Wednesday at 10:00 am from the CTO Information Office, Tel: 24654322
and every Friday at 10:00 a.m. from Larnaka Fort, Tel: 24304576.
L A R N A K A
39
PLACES OF INTEREST
KITION ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
About 500m from the District
Archaeological Museum
Thursday: 08:00-17:00
Saturday and
Sunday closed
Entrance: 1,00
The architectural ruins of the ancient

city-kingdom of Kition dating to the
13th century BC were found here.
Excavations have revealed cyclopean
walls made of giant blocks of stone
and a complex of five temples. Nearby
lay the foundations of the ancient port
of Kition, an important commercial
centre in ancient Cyprus. Of interest
are the drawings of ships etched into
the walls of buildings. The site is a
stop on the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
LARNAKA DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Plateia (Square)
Kalograion
Tel: 24304169
Tue., Wed., Fri.: 08:00-15:00
Thursday: 08:00-17:00
Saturday: 09:00-15:00
Entrance: 1,00
The museum collections consist mainly

of finds from the main Neolithic
settlements of Cyprus, Choirokoitia and
Tenta, and of the ancient city-kingdom
of Kition. Faience, ivory and alabaster
objects are evidence of the commercial
and international relations between
Cyprus and the regions of the Eastern
Mediterranean. The museum is a stop
THE PIERIDES FOUNDATION ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Zinonos Kitieos 4
The Pierides Museum is the oldest

private museum in Cyprus. It is housed
in the ancestral Pierides family home, a
Monday-Thursday: 09:00-16:00
colonial style building built in 1815.
Friday-Saturday: 09:00-13:00
The museums comprehensive collection was assembled by the Pierides
Entrance: 1,00
family and includes some of the most
representative items of the islands
civilisation. It charts its economic,
social and cultural development over
thousands of years. The objects on display dating from 4000 BC to the 15th
century AD are an important testimony to a centuries old civilisation that
flourished in Cyprus. Prized items in the collection are the red polished
ware from the Early Bronze age, Roman glassware and medieval ceramic
dishes. The museum is a stop on the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
Tel: 24814555
10 000
40
LARNAKA MUNICIPAL CULTURAL CENTRE

Leoforos (Avenue) Athinon
Five old British colonial-style warePlateia (Square) Evropis

houses, part of the old Larnaka Customs
Opposite the Marina
houses have been renovated and now
make up the citys Municipal Cultural
Centre. The Centre houses the Municipal Galleries, the PieridesTornaritis Palaeontology Museum and the Municipal Historical
Archives-Museum of Larnaka.
Municipal Galleries
The galleries display works of art by
local artists.
Tel: 24 658848
Saturday: 10:00-13:00
Entrance free
Palaeontology Museum: Pierides - Tornaritis

The Pierides-Tornaritis Museum of
Paleaontology is the only museum of its
kind in Cyprus. It houses a collection
of fossil life covering 500 million years.
Among the rare exhibits from Cyprus
are bones from pygmy elephants and
hippopotami, which became extinct on
the island at around 10000 BC.
Tel: 24628587
(in cooperation with the
Hellenic Bank)
Tuesday-Friday:
09:00-14:00
Saturday-Sunday:
09:00-12:00
(Closed on Sundays
June to August)
Entrance free
Municipal Historical Archives - Museum of Larnaka

Tel: 24657745
The Municipal Historical Archives
Museum of Larnaka is housed in the
restored residence and offices of the first colonial Port Master of Larnaka, built in 1881. It is
situated next to the warehouses. The Museum of Larnaka is on the ground floor with exhibits on
the history of the town of Larnaka. A large collection of coins from the city kingdom of Kition
of the late 6th century and photographs of the city from 1850 onwards, are among the most
interesting exhibits. The Municipal Historical Archives which consist of rare books, documents
and articles are situated on the second floor and are accessible only to researchers.
THE BUSTS OF KIMON AND ZENON

The bust of Athenian general Kimon,
who led 200 triremes in 450 BC to liberate Cyprus form Persian rule can be seen
on the palm lined seaside promenade Foinikoudes. He perished during the siege
of Kition.
The marble bust of Zenon of Kition at the city centre honours the philosopher, who
was born in ancient Kition, todays city of Larnaka and who founded the famous Stoic
School of Thought in Athens in the 4th century BC.
L A R N A K A
41
AGIOS LAZAROS CHURCH AND ECCLESIASTICAL MUSEUM

Plateia (Square) Agiou Lazarou
The magnificent 9th century stone

church of Agios Lazaros was built by
08:00-12:30, 14:00-17:30 September-March
Byzantine Emperor Leo VI in the 9th
08:00-12:30, 14:00-18:30 April-August
century and restored in the 17th
century. The church is one of the most
Entrance free
remarkable examples of Byzantine
Museum opening hours:
architecture in Cyprus. Saint Lazarus
came to Cyprus after being resurrected
Monday-Saturday: 08:30-12:30,
by Jesus, was ordained as Bishop of
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 15:00-17:30
Kition by the Apostles Barnabas and
(Wednesday and Saturday afternoons closed)
Paul and lived here for 30 years. His
tomb can be seen under the sanctuary.
Entrance: 0,50
The icon-stand is a superb example of
baroque woodcarving. Eight days
before Easter a procession is held during which St. Lazarus icon is carried through
the streets of Larnaka. Next to the church is the Ecclesiastical Museum.
Tel: 24652498
LARNAKA FORT - DISTRICT MEDIEVAL MUSEUM

Leoforos (Avenue) Athinon, Larnaka seafront
Originally built during the Middle

Ages, the Fort took its present form
during Ottoman rule. After the end of
the Ottoman rule in Cyprus, the
(09:00-19:30 June-August)
British converted it into a prison
Saturday, Sunday: closed
during the first years of their rule.
Today the Fort houses the District
Entrance: 1,00
Medieval Museum, whose collection
covers 15 centuries of history, from
early Christian period to the 19th
century. The open-air courtyard is used in the summer for functions by the
Larnaka Municipality. Near the Fort is Tusla Mosque, which was originally a
medieval three-aisled church.
Tel: 24304576
ZACHOURI MOSQUE
The Zachouri Mosque lies between the
Kebir (Buyuk) Mosque and the Church of Agios Lazaros on Nicolaou Roussou street.
It was built in the middle of the 19th century and is an important muslim religious
centre.
KEBIR (BUYUK) MOSQUE

Leoforos (Avenue) Athinon, opposite Larnaka Fort
The Kebir (Buyuk) mosque is probably

the first Ottoman mosque in Cyprus. It
was originally a catholic church dedicated to St. Catherine in the 13th-14th century,
before being converted into a mosque. The oldest reference of its existence is found
in a 1747 document of Bekir Pasha, creator of the Larnaka aqueduct, where it is
specified that a public fountain there should receive water from his aqueduct.This
public fountain still survives outside the mosque today.
10 000
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MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The museum displays large collections
of local reptiles, rare insects, birds,
animals, as well as fossils and marine
life species from Cyprus and neighbouring countries. Of particular interest
are the collections of insects and plants.
Leoforos (Avenue) Grigori Afxentiou

(within the Larnaka Municipal Gardens)
Tel: 24652569
Saturday: 09:00-13:00
Entrance: 0,20
TUSLA MOSQUE
Situated in the old part of town, behind
the ruins of ancient Kition, Tusla Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in
Larnaka. Its history goes back to Byzantine times. The mosque was
originally a Byzantine orthodox church, as can be seen by the wall paintings
in the building. In the 12th or 13th century it became the Catholic Church
of the Holy Cross and was turned into a mosque after the Ottoman
occupation of 1571. The minaret is built on the foundations of the original
bell tower. Opposite this mosque is a Venetian period public water
fountain. According to historical sources the Venetian governors building
was situated nearby.
TERRA SANTA CATHOLIC CHURCH

Terra Santa 8
Terra Santa is the church of the Latin

Tel: 24642858
community of Larnaka. Franciscan
monk Callixte Martel founded the
church and the convent in 1596, mainly to house Latin pilgrims visiting
the Holy Land. In 1724 a larger church and convent replaced the original
buildings, which in turn were demolished in 1842 to be replaced by the
present church structures. The architectural style of the convent combines
Renaissance and baroque characteristics. It is also known as Santa Maria
delle Grazie.
AGIOS GEORGIOS MAKRIS CHAPEL

This stone-built chapel of Agios
Georgios dates back to the 13th century. It is built on a hill overlooking the
salt lake.
KAMARES AQUEDUCT
Kamares area on the road to Lemesos
This beautiful 18th century aqueduct

(Limassol)
consisting of a series of arches gave the
area its name. It was built in 1746 by
the Turkish governor of Larnaka, Bekir Pasha, who funded it out of his own
sources to carry water to Larnaka from a source about 6 miles away. The
aqueduct was abandoned in 1939, its function replaced by modern pipes.
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Greater Larnaka District Area

WEST
LARNAKA SALT LAKE
Larnaka salt lake is one of the most
important habitats in Europe for water fowl. Scores of flamingos, wild ducks and
other water or shore fowl find refuge here in winter on their migratory journeys.
Archaeological finds show that the salt lake area and that of the nearby mosque has
been inhabited since the Neolithic age. In prehistoric times the salt lake was a harbour that served
the town, unearthed here near where the Hala Sultan Tekkesi mosque stands today. The town
was one of the large urban and commercial centres of Cyprus in the Late Bronze age (1650-1050
BC). When the town was abandoned, the estuary silted up, the natural
harbour was destroyed and the salt lake was formed.
Salt was a valuable product of the lake, commercially exploited for many
centuries. A nature trail has been created along the banks of the lake
connecting the area with the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
HALA SULTAN TEKKESI MOSQUE

5km west of Larnaka city, on the
road to Kiti just after the airport
The mosque was built in 648 AD, on

the spot where Umm Haram died when
Daily:
she fell off her mule, during one of the
first Arab raids on the island. According
June-August: 08:00-19:30
to tradition Umm Haram was related to
April, May, September, October:
the Prophet Mohammed. Grand Chalif
08:00-18:00
Moavia, who was taking part in the
November-March:
expedition, immediately ordered the
08:00-17:00
construction of a mosque on the spot.
Entrance free
It is now one of the most important
holy places of worship for Muslims,
ranked immediately after Mecca, Medina in Saudi Arabia and Al Aksha
in Jerusalem. The mosque was first renovated in 1816 and more recently
in 2002 by UNOPS.
ANGELOKTISTI CHURCH
Kiti village,
7km west of Larnaka
This 11th century Byzantine church was

erected over the ruins of an Early
Tel: 24424646
Christian basilica. The original apse of
the basilica has survived together with
Monday-Sunday:
one of the finest pieces of Byzantine
08:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00
art, a rare 6th century mosaic of Virgin
(June-August: 14:00-18:00)
and Child between the two archangels
Entrance free
Michael and Gabriel. It is a rare work
of art, equaling the mosaics of
Ravenna-Italy. Only in Cyprus and in Mount Sinai have mosaics from
that period been found. Similar mosaics are those from the church of
Panagia Kanakaria in the occupied village of Lythragkomi, now on
display in the Byzantine museum in Lefkosia (Nicosia).
10 000
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Greater Larnaka District Area - Stavrovouni Monastery
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AGIOS GEORGIOS ARPERAS CHURCH

The church of Agios Georgios Arperas
is situated about 2km from the village of Tersefanou, where once
stood the medieval village of Arpera. The church was built by the
dragoman Christofakis Konstantinou in 1745 and has a fresco
depicting himself and his family as founders. The church contains
many icons signed by the painter Ioannikios.
KOSTAS ARGYROU MUSEUM

Mazotos village
Tel. 24991633
Tuesday-Saturday:
09:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00
Sunday: 09:00-12:00
The museum displays the work of local

self-taught sculptor Kostas Argyrou,
who began sculpting at a late age. His
work is among the most important of
contemporary Cypriot artists.
Entrance: 1,00
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32km from Larnaka

or 48km south of Lefkosia on
the Lefkosia-Lemesos motorway
The archaeological site of Choirokoitia

has been a listed UNESCO World
Heritage Site since 1998. It is a well
Tel: 24322710
preserved settlement from the
Daily: 08:00-17:00
Neolithic age. Remains from all phases
November - March
of the Neolithic age are evident in the
settlement, providing an insight of
08:00-18:00 Mar, April,
living conditions in the region during
Sept., Oct.
prehistoric times. Five characteristic
08:00-19:30 June - August
cylindrical shaped dwellings have been
reconstructed near the settlement, using
Entrance: 1,00
the same construction methods and
materials used in Neolithic times. They
are fitted with replicas of household
objects found inside the originals, thus providing a vivid
representation of how they appeared in antiquity. The vegetation
around the dwellings consists of plant species and native trees that
have grewn in Cyprus since Neolithic times.
KALAVASOS - TENTA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

40km from Larnaka, 2.5 km
off the Lefkosia - Lemesos
motorway
(Temporarily closed)
10 000
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The Neolithic age settlement of Tenta

is situated a short distance from
Kalavasos village. It dates to 7000 BC.
The settlement is covered by a
characteristic cone-shaped roof, which
forms a contemporary architectural
intervention in the landscape.
LEFKARA VILLAGE
8 km from Skarinou,
Lefkara is a picturesque village known

off the Lefkosia Lemesos road
for its lace, the famous lefkaritika
or 40km from Larnaka
lace, and for its silverware. Legend has
it that Leonardo da Vinci himself came
here and bought an altar cloth of the traditional lace, which he donated to the
cathedral of Milan. The village maintains its traditional architecture with its
picturesque stone houses. In the village one can visit the Museum of Folk Art
Embroidery & Silversmithing, the Wax Museum, the church of the Holy Cross
and the chapel of the Archangel Michael.
The church of the Holy Cross is situated in Pano (upper) Lefkara. It has a
beautiful 18th century icon-stand and a unique silver 13th century cross.
The church the Archangel Michael, in Kato (lower) Lefkara, is a single-aisled
domed church with wall paintings dating from the 12th and 15th centuries.
1. Museum of Folk Art Embroidery & Silversmithing
The Museum of Folk Art Embroidery
and Silversmithing is housed in the
restored Patsalos residence. Exhibits
include examples of traditional Lefkara
lace.
Tel: 24342326
Daily: 09:00-17:00
(08:00-16:00: November - March)
Entrance: 1,00
2. Fatsa Wax Museum

The Wax Museum displays wax figures
of prominent personalities from
Cyprus history and showcases scenes
from the Ottoman period (1571-1878),
British rule (1878-1960), the Liberation
Struggle (1955-1959) and the Turkish
invasion (1974).
Tel: 24621048
Monday-Sunday:
09:00-17:00
09:00-19:00 (May-October)
Entrance: 3,00 adults 2,00 children
KATO DRYS VILLAGE

Southwest of Lefkara village
Kato Drys is the birthplace of Agios

Neofytos, who was born in 1134. Of
interest are the church of Agios Charalambos, built in 1897 and the 16th century
church of Panagia, which has recently been restored. Many buildings exhibit rural
architecture, with hanging balconies, as well as doors and windows carved in relief.
Rural Museum (House of Gavriel and Eleni Papachristoforou)
The museum is housed in a restored
house with remarkable woodwork, a
prime example of local 19th century
architecture.
Tel: 24342648
Entrance: 0,50
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AGIOS MINAS CONVENT

Near Lefkara village
Daily: 08:00-12:00, 15:00-18:00
(May-September)
08:00-12:00, 14:00-17:00
(October-April)
The convent is open for group visits from
Monday to Friday.
The convent dates to the 15th century.

It is a mixture of Byzantine and Gothic
styles. On the north and south walls are
two large paintings of Agios Georgios
and Agios Minas dated 1757. The nuns
here, in addition to their religious
duties, practise icon-painting.
STAVROVOUNI MONASTERY
9km off the Lefkosia-Lemesos road,
40km from Larnaka.
Stavrovouni Monastery is perched on a

rocky peak 750m above sea level.
September-March:
Legend has it that it was founded in the
08:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00
4th century by Saint Helena, a mother
April-August:
of Emperor Constantine the Great, who
08:00-12:00 and 15:00-18:00
left a relic of the Holy Cross at the
monastery. The monks have strict rules
like those at Mount Athos in Greece. Women may not enter the monastery.
An impressive ceremony and festival is held here on 14 September, the day
of the Raising of the Holy Cross. The monastery of Agia Varvara on the
foothills of Stavrovouni is accessible to all visitors. The monks here are known
for their iconography skills.
AGIOS EFFIMIANOS CHURCH

Kornos area, below Stavrovouni
Monastery
The Byzantine church of Agios

Effimianos is situated in the occupied
village of Lysi. Its wall paintings date
back to the 14th century. After the Turkish invasion they were removed
from the church, smuggled and sold abroad. They were traced in Munich.
The Cyprus government and the Menil Foundation (USA) bought them back
and agreed that they be exhibited in Houston for 15 years, prior to them
being returned to the island. The Lysi villagers built this new church along
the lines of the old one. Replicas of the famous wall paintings from the
dome and apse are kept in its basement.
CHAPELLE ROYALE
Pyrga village, 35km south of Lefkosia
and 32km from Larnaka
Daily, any reasonable hour
Entrance: 1,00
The chapel was built in 1421 by the

Lusignan King Janus, who is depicted in
a wall painting together with his wife,
Charlotte de Bourbon, on the eastern
facade.
EAST
AGIOS ANTONIOS CHURCH
Kellia Village
One of the most important Byzantine

churches of Cyprus, possibly dating back
to the 9th century. It is a three-aisled vaulted basilica which once had a dome.
It contains significant wall paintings from the 9th, 11th and 13th centuries.
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PAFOS
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The entire town of Pafos

is a listed UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
Pafos was the capital of
Cyprus for a long period
of time in antiquity.
Today it is a charming town in the west
of Cyprus. Numerous archaeological sites
can be seen from the centre of the
modern town down to its picturesque
harbour, as well as all along the coast. It
is out of the seas of Pafos that Aphrodite,
Greek Olympian goddess of Love and
Beauty is said to have risen, and it was in
Pafos that the worship of the goddess
flourished. The charm of the goddess can
still be felt throughout the area. The Pafos
region is surrounded by a beautiful
coastline. Inland and in the mountainous
regions lay superb monasteries and
tranquil villages, where old traditions and
customs have been kept alive since time
immemorial.
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1. Medieval Fort
2. Tombs of the Kings
3. Mosaics, Kato Pafos Archaeological Park
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PLACES OF INTEREST
PAFOS DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Leoforos (Avenue) Georgiou
Griva Digeni 43
Tel: 26306215
Open all year round
Tue., Wed., Fri.: 08:00-15:00
Thursday: 08:00-17:00
Saturday: 09:00-15:00
The Pafos District Archaeological

Museum houses a collection of finds
from the Pafos area dating from the
Neolithic age to 1700 AD. Of special
interest are a set of surgical
instruments and a rare sculpture of
warrior Aphrodite. The museum is a
stop on the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
Entrance: 1,00
BYZANTINE MUSEUM
Andrea Ioannou 5
Next to the Pafos Bishopric
Tel: 26931393
Winter: Monday-Friday:
09:00-15:00
Saturday: 09:00-13:00
Summer: Monday-Friday:
09:00-16:00
Saturday: 09:00-13:00
Entrance: 1,00
The Byzantine Museum of Pafos has an

important collection of artifacts from
the Byzantine period, including 7th to
18th century icons. In addition to icons,
exhibits include wood carvings,
ecclesiastical works of metallurgy,
sacerdotal vestments and embroideries,
manuscripts, old printed books and
frescoes. The museum houses one of
the oldest icons found in Cyprus, that of
Agia Marina, dating to the 7th or 8th
century.
ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM
Exo Vrisis 1
Tel: 26932010
Monday-Saturday:
09:30-17:00
Sunday: 10:00-13:00
Entrance: 1,50
The Ethnographical Museum is a private

museum belonging to the Eliades
family. It consists of a collection of
objects from the Neolithic age to the
present day, including a collection of
coins.
PAFOS MUNICIPAL GALLERY

Gladstone 7
Tel: 26930653
(April-October: 17:00-20:00)
Entrance free
10 000
50
The Gallery exhibits a total of 43 works

of art of local artists.
LOUTRA - OTTOMAN HAMMAM (BATHS)

Near the old market place
The Ottoman baths operated up until

the 1950s. They consist of a stone
vaulted building with three areas: a reception area, an intermediate area and
the main baths. The building has now been restored and is used as the Pafos
Municipality cultural centre.
AGIA SOLOMONI CHRISTIAN CATACOMB

Leoforos (Avenue) Agiou Pavlou, Kato Pafos
A small underground complex of

chamber tombs from the Hellenistic
period, which has been called the Chapel of the Seven Sleepers, or the Seven
Maccabees, to which almost every medieval pilgrim paid a visit. The complex
was first used as a Christian catacomb in the 2nd century and may have served
as a Jewish synagogue before that. It has 12th century frescoes and among the
graffiti cut into the plaster are the names of 13th century Crusaders. A sacred
tree grows above which, according to tradition, is believed to cure whoever
hangs a personal votive offering on its branches.
MEDIEVAL FORT OF PAFOS

Originally a Byzantine fort built to
protect the harbour, the fort was
rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th
century, but then dismantled by the
Venetians. It was rebuilt by the
Ottomans in the 16th century when
they conquered the island.
Harbour-Kato Pafos
Daily:
08:00-17:00 (November -March)
08:00-18:00 (April, May, September,
October)
08:00-19:30(June - August)
Entrance: 1,00
KATO PAFOS ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK
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The inclusion of the Kato Pafos

archaeological site in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1980 was the
starting point for the creation of a General Plan whose aim would be primarily
to protect and maintain the archaeological remains, as well as to promote them
and provide comprehensive information to visitors. Kato Pafos archaeological
Park includes sites and monuments from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages,
while most remains date to the Roman period. The marvellous
mosaic floors of four Roman villas form the impressive epicentre
of the finds. The complex includes other important monuments,
such as the Asklipieion, the Odeion, the Agora, the Saranta
Kolones (Forty Columns) Fortress, the Limeniotissa Ruins of
early Christian Basilica and the Tombs of the Kings.
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1. Mosaics
Kato Pafos, near the harbour
Tel: 26306217
House of Dionysos, House of Theseus,

House of Aion.
The mosaic floors of these Houses,

date from the 2nd to the 5th century
AD. The first house was discovered
accidentally by a farmer in 1962. The
villas belonged to noblemen and the
mosaics are considered among the
Entrance: 2,00
finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They
depict scenes from Greek mythology
and are considered masterpieces of
mosaic art. Some of the mosaics at the House of Dionysos depict the god
of wine, while that of Theseus depicts the classical Greek mythology hero
brandishing a club against the Minotaur. The mosaics are a stop on the
Open daily:
November - March: 08:00-17:00
June - August: 08:00-19:30
April, May, September, October:
08:00-18:00
2. Pafos Odeion
Kato Pafos
The Pafos Odeion is a small 2nd

century AD odeon built entirely of
well-hewn limestone blocks. It is now used regularly for musical and
theatrical performances. Nearby are the remains of the ancient city walls, the
Asklepeion, a building dedicated to Asklepios, god of medicine, and the
Roman Agora.
3. Saranta Kolones (Forty Columns) Fortress
This Frankish castle was built by the

Lusignans in the early 13th century on
the site of a previous Byzantine castle
and was destroyed by an earthquake
in 1222.
4. Limeniotissa Ruins of Early Christian Basilica

The basilica dates to the Early Christian

period possibly to the beginning of the
5th century. It originally comprised three aisles divided by two rows of
marble columns, a single apse, a narthex and atrium. The floors were paved
with brilliantly coloured mosaics in geometric patterns. The basilica was
destroyed during the Arab raids of the 7th century and a smaller version
rebuilt in the 10th century. It was finally destroyed by an earthquake in 1159.
5. Tombs of the Kings
Kato Pafos
Tel: 26306295
Daily: 08:00-17:00 November-March
08:00-18:00 April-May, SeptemberOctober
Entrance: 1,00
10 000
52
The Tombs of the Kings are one of

the major archaeological attractions of
Pafos. These monumental underground
tombs carved out of solid rock date
back to the 3rd century BC and some
are decorated with Doric pillars. High
ranking officials rather than Kings were
buried here, but the magnificence of
the tombs gave the locality its grand
name.
EARLY CHRISTIAN BASILICA - ST. PAULS PILLAR - CHRYSOPOLITISSA

/AG. KYRIAKI CHURCH
Kato Pafos
The church was built in the 13th

century over the ruins of the largest
Early Byzantine basilica on the island. St. Pauls Pillar is
situated in the church courtyard, where according to
legend the Apostle was flogged before converting the
then Roman governor Sergius Paulus to Christianity.
THEOSKEPASTI CHURCH
According to popular belief, the church
was named thus, meaning veiled by
God, because God sent down a fog
cloud to protect the original church
during the Arab raids. The new church
was built in 1923.
Kato Pafos
Greater Pafos District Area

NORTH
AGIOS NEOFYTOS MONASTERY
Founded around 1200 by Cypriot
hermit and writer Neofytos. The
Enkleistra, a cave that the hermit
carved out of the mountains, is covered
with some of the finest examples of
Byzantine wall painting that date to the
12th and 15th centuries. The monastery
has a noteworthy ecclesiastical museum.
The monastery church contains some
of the finest post Byzantine icons
dating to the 16th century.
9km north of Pafos

April-October:
Monday-Sunday:
09:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00
November-March:
09:00-13:00, 14:00-16:00
Entrance to the Enkleistra and
museum: 0,50.
CHURCH OF PANAGIA CHRYSELEOUSA

Empa village,
A combination of two churches, the

3km north of Pafos
eastern part of which was built in the
12th century, possibly on the ruins of
an early Christian basilica, as a cruciform church with a dome. An
extension to the west was built later in the 13th century with the
addition of a new cruciform with a dome. Rare 12th, 13th, 15th and
16th century wall paintings survive in the church.
P A F O S
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LEMPA VILLAGE
5km north
of Pafos
Excavations in the village of Lempa

have brought to five an important
settlement of the Chalcolithic age. Near
the site replicas of five houses from this
period have been reconstructed using
the same materials and the same
building methods as used in
Chalcolithic times (3900-2500 BC). The
Chalcolithic settlement site is a stop on
the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
CHLORAKAS VILLAGE
Agios Georgios boat
The Agios Georgios boat was used to

import ammunition to be used in the
Liberation Struggle 1955-59. It is displayed in a specially created shelter
by the coast of Chlorakas. Nearby lays the church of Agios Georgios.
MUSEUM OF THE MYCENAEAN COLONISATION OF CYPRUS

Coral Bay,
9km from Pafos
The archaeological site is a small

settlement dating to the 12th century
Daily: 08:30-18:00
BC, the end of the Late Bronze age.
(08:30-17:00 November - March)
According to archeologists, the settlement has been termed a colony of
Entrance: 0,75
the first Achaean (Mycenaean) Greeks
who migrated to Cyprus at around
1200 BC, after the fall of the Mycenaean Kingdoms in mainland Greece.
This small museum with its unusual architecture was designed by Andrea
Bruno, a prominent architect, Professor at the University of Turin. The
museum depicts the colonisation of the island by the Greeks.
AGIOS GEORGIOS BASILICAS - PEGEIA FOUNTAINS

Agios Georgios, Pegeia village
Approximately 4.5km from the village

of Pegeia, near the fishing shelter, lay
the ruins of two early Christian
basilicas with very interesting floor
Entrance: 1,00
mosaics depicting animals. This must
have been the site of an important
early Christian settlement. Nearby are
rock-hewn tombs of the Roman period.
Daily: 08:30-18:00
The picturesque Pegeia fountains of which many folk songs have been
sung, can be seen in the pretty cobbled square of the village.
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LAONA REGION
The area near the town of Polis and the
Akamas peninsula rising to about 600m
above sea level is known as the Laona
region. It includes picturesque villages
such as Ineia, Drouseia, Kathikas, Pano
and Kato Akourdaleia, all with panoramic
views across the area.
Kathikas village
Drouseia village
Pano Akourdaleia village
1. Drouseia village - Weaving Museum

Drouseia is one of the most charming
villages in Cyprus. The museum has
examples of old and modern weaving
and knitwear.
Tel: 26332561.
Tue., Wed., Fri.: 07:30-14:30
Monday, Thursday: 07:30-13-00, 14:00-17:00
Entrance: free
2. Ineia village - Basket Weaving Museum

Tel: 26332562.
Like Drouseia, Ineia has spectacular

views over the Akamas peninsula and
is perfect for walks in the countryside.
The local museum houses a collection
of basketry.
(June-September)
(October-May)
3. Kato Akourdaleia village - Folk Art Museum

Tel: 26306216
The local museum has examples of

local folk art and crafts.
Monday-Friday: 08:00-14:30, Thursday: 08:00-17:00

Entrance: 0,75
4. Kathikas village - Laona/Akamas Information Centre

The Laona/Akamas Information Centre is
housed in the renovated school house, in
the village centre.
Akamas
P A F O S
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BATHS OF APHRODITE - AKAMAS

Akamas region
Near Polis,
48km north of Pafos
The northwestern peninsula of Cyprus,

known as Akamas, is a wild uninhabited region with spectacular landscapes
and beaches, due to be designated a
National Park. The area is named after Akamantas, an Athenian warrior and
son of Theseus, who arrived here after the Trojan War. It is a unique area of
biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems. Almost all the geological formations of
Cyprus are met here, from narrow deep valleys, caves and islets to gorges,
and there are over 500 different types of plants. The nature trails that cross
the peninsula pass through unspoiled areas of extreme physical beauty. The
area is ideal for hiking, cycling, diving and swimming in crystal clear waters.
The Baths of Aphrodite is an area in the Akamas between Polis
and Cape Arnaouti. It derived its name from a small grotto
shaded by an old fig tree, in the waters of which, legend has it,
the goddess Aphrodite used to bathe. According to mythology,
this is where she met her lover Adonis. The site is on the
POLIS
37km north of Pafos
The town of Polis is the location where

once stood the ancient city-kingdom of
Marion, an important commercial centre in the Classical and Hellenistic
periods, with close ties with Athens. During the Hellenistic-Roman period,
Marion was renamed Arsinoe. Polis has become a popular sea-side resort with
a noteworthy traditional centre that maintains its beauty and many of its
traditional buildings.
1. Polis Archaeological Museum Marion / Arsinoe
Leoforos (Avenue) Makariou III 26
Tel: 26322955
All the year round
Tue., Wed., Fri.: 08:00-15:00
Thursday: 08:00-17:00
Saturday: 09:00-15:00
Monday, Sunday: Closed
The museum consists of an interesting

collection of antiquities discovered in
the region where once stood the
ancient city-kingdom of MarionArsinoe. The Museum is a
stop on the Aphrodite
Cultural route.
Entrance: 0,75
2. Agios Andronikos church

This is a 16th
century vaulted church in the middle of Polis with frescoes of the same period.
During the Ottoman period this church was turned into a mosque. A northern
annex was added to it and the frescoes covered up. These have recently been
uncovered. Other churches in the region include the 16th century church of
Agia Aikaterini in the village of Kritou Tera, as well as the 15th century church
of Panagia Horteni in Pelathousa village.
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BYZANTINE MUSEUM OF ARSINOE

The museum is situated at the Holy
Bishopric of Arsinoe. It houses one of
the largest collections of icons dating
from the 13th to the 19th centuries, as
well as wood carved ecclesiastic items,
local and imported silver and metal
artifacts, as well as local textiles. Rare
books and manuscripts are also on
display.
Arsinoe Bishopric, Peristerona village

9km from Polis
Tel: 26352515
April-October: Monday-Friday:
10:00-13:00 & 14:00-18:00
Saturday: 10:00-13:00
November-March: Monday-Friday: 10:00-16:00
Saturday: 10:00-13:00
Entrance: 1,00
NORTH-EAST
AGIOS KIRYKOS AND AGIA IOULITTI CHURCH
Letymvou village
A cross-in-square domed church dating

to the 12th century, with many later
additions, especially from the 15th century. It has a few surviving fragments of
frescoes dating to the 12th century, the majority dating to the 15th century.
PANAGIA CHRYSELEOUSA CHURCH

Polemi village
A complex of two churches, the oldest

of which is a domed cross-in-square
type building possibly of the 12th century. In the 18th century a barrel-vaulted
church was added, which houses excellent surviving icons dating to the 16th
century.
METOCHI IERAS MONIS KYKKOU (KYKKO MONASTERY DEPENDENCY)

Polemi village
To the northwest of the village there is

an interesting group of buildings of
traditional architecture known as the Metochi tou Kykkou. They are now used
as a community cultural centre.
WEAVING MUSEUM
Fyti village has been known for its own
special style of weaving since medieval
times. The textiles made in the village
are known as Fythkiotika and stand
out for their variety of design and rich
colours. Examples of such textiles are
exhibited in the museum where one
can also observe how they are made.
Fyti village
Tel: 26732126
May-October:
Monday-Saturday:
08:00-12:00 &
14:00-17:00
November-April:
Monday-Saturday:
09:00-12:00 & 13:00-15:00
Entrance free
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PANO PANAGIA VILLAGE

Western slopes of the Troodos mountains,
1.5km from Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery
The village of Pano Panagia is the

birthplace of the late Archbishop
Makarios III, first President of the
Republic of Cyprus. His humble house
has been converted into a museum.
CHRYSORROGIATISSA MONASTERY
40km northeast of Pafos
Tel: 2672 2457
Opening hours of Icon Depository:
May-August: 09:30-12:30
and 13.30-18:30 (daily)
September-April: 10:00-12:30
and 13.30-16:00 (daily)
Set in beautiful surroundings, the

Monastery of Chrysorrogiatissa is
dedicated to Our Lady of the Golden
Pomegranate. It was founded in 1152
by monk Ignatios who found a
miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary off
the shore of Pafos. Legend has it that it
was thrown into the sea in Asia Minor
during the iconoclastic period and
drifted by the waves to Pafos.
The present building dates to 1770. An impressive religious ceremony is held here
on 15 August, on the occasion of Mothers of God Dormition Day. The monastery
Icon Depository includes an important collection of icons, religious objects and
artifacts. The monasterys old winery produces some of the best vintage wines on
the island.
AGIA MONI MONASTERY

Agia Moni Monastery is linked to the
very origins of monasticism in Cyprus. According to tradition, the monastery was
founded around 300 AD by Agios Nicolas and Agios Eutykhios, as a place of prayer
and contemplation. A sacred relic which had been given to Agios Nicolas and a
piece of the cloak of the Virgin Mary were kept at the monastery until 1754.
CHOULOU VILLAGE
Choulou lies 22km to the north east of
Pafos. During the Middle Ages it was a well known feudal village, associated with
the popular Cypriot folk song, Arodafnousa. Significant churches in the village are
the Church of the Panagia Pantanassa with 16th century frescoes, the Byzantine
chapel of Agios Georgios and the 12th century chapel of Agios Theodoros.
PANAGIA TOU SINTI MONASTERY

Near Pentalia village
An abandoned monastery on the banks

of the Xeros river. The central nave of
the monastery, dating to the 16th century is in good condition and
is considered one of the most important buildings of the Venetian
period. In 1997 it received the Europa Nostra award for restoration
and conservation.
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EAST
GEROSKIPOU
The name Geroskipou derives from the
classical Greek "Hieros Kipos" meaning "Sacred garden". It is believed that in
ancient times it used to be an extensive area of beautiful gardens, dedicated
to the goddess Aphrodite. Today the gardens have been replaced by the
modern village renowned for its "Cyprus delights" sweets. Geroskipou is a stop
1. Folk Art Museum
The museum is housed in the 18th
century house of Hadjismith. It carries
a rich collection of Cypriot folk art and
crafts consisting of pottery, kilims and
scarves, as well as tools used in silk
production. The building is named after
Sir Sidney Smith, a British Admiral,
who appointed the owner of the house,
Andreas Zimboulaki, as British consul.
Thus the house came to be referred to
as the house of Hadjismith.
3km east of Pafos

Tel: 26306216
Daily: 09:00-17:00
Entrance: 1,00
2. Agia Paraskevi Church

3km east of Pafos
One of the most interesting and

beautiful Byzantine churches in Cyprus.
It dates to the 9th century and is a
three-aisled five-domed basilica. Its
frescoes date from the 9th to the 15th
centuries.
SANCTUARY OF APHRODITE AND PALAIPAFOS MUSEUM

Kouklia village,
Palaipafos was one of the most

14km east of Pafos
celebrated pilgrimage centres of the
on the Pafos-Lemesos road
classical Greek world and one of the
Tel: 26432180
city-kingdoms of Cyprus in antiquity.
Daily: 08:00-16:00
Here lie the ruins of the famous
sanctuary of Aphrodite, whose remains
Thursday: 08:00-17:00
date back to the 12th century BC. The
Entrance: 1,50
sanctuary remained a place of worship
until the 3rd or 4th century AD. The
museum is housed in a nearby Lusignan manor. It houses impressive finds
from the region, dating from the Chalcolithic age to the Middle Ages. It
portrays how the cult of the goddess of fertility developed into the cult of
Aphrodite. Excavations are continuing at the sanctuary, as well as in and
around the ruins of the town and the necropolis. The sanctuary is a stop on
the Aphrodite Cultural route.
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PETRA TOU ROMIOU - BIRTHPLACE OF APHRODITE

Pafos - Lemesos motorway, 25km from Pafos
Cyprus is renowned as the island of

Aphrodite, the goddess of love and
beauty. The Petra tou Romiou area is one of the most beautiful coastlines in
Cyprus, where, according to mythology, Aphrodite rose from the waves. The
Greek name, Petra tou Romiou (the Rock of the Greek) is associated with the legendary
Byzantine hero, Digenis Akritas, who, according to legend, kept the marauding Saracen Arabs
(7th-10th centuries) at bay with his amazing strength. With one hand he was said to have
grabbed hold of the Kyreneia mountain range thereby forming Pentadaktylos, the Five Finger
mountain, while with the other hand he heaved a huge rock and tossed it into the sea at the
Saracens who were trying to land. The rock still remains and thus gave the region its name.
The site is a stop on the Aphrodite Cultural route.
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AMMOCHOSTOS
Agia Napa - Protaras

(The Southeast Coast)
Golden sandy beaches abound on the eastern coast

of Cyprus, in the free part of the Ammochostos
(Famagusta) area. The popular holiday resorts of
Agia Napa and Paralimni-Protaras are a true
paradise for lovers of the sea, watersports and
night life. But there is more to the area. Inland one
can also admire a number of Byzantine and
Frankish monuments and museums. The magical
landscape was an inspiration to
Greek Nobel poet laureate, 1
George Seferis. Sights worth
seeing include the medieval
monastery at the centre of Agia
Napa, the hundreds of windmills
in the sprawling fields and the
many Byzantine churches in the
Paralimni-Protaras region and in
surrounding villages.
The region is the main potatoproducing area on the island and
is known as Kokkinochoria,
meaning Red Soil villages,
thanks to the fertile red earth in
which they are grown.
The villages of this area are
equally renowned for their folk
poets and traditional song
performers, who are regarded as
the most inspired on the island.
1. Agia Napa Monastery
2. The Kokkinochoria
3. Profitis Ilias, Protaras
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PLACES OF INTEREST
AGIA NAPA
1. Agia Napa Monastery
This imposing medieval monastery,
dedicated to Our Lady of the Forests, stands in the middle of Agia Napa
surrounded by a high wall enclosure. Its 16th century church is partially
underground, carved into the rock. The guest house to the east of the church
belongs to the World Council of Churches. An ancient sycamore tree, believed
to be over 600 years old, grows in front of the south gate.
2. Thalassa Marine Museum
Pierides Foundation
Kriou Nerou 14
Tel: 23816366
October-May:
Tuesday-Saturday:
09:00-17:00
Monday:
10:00-13:00
June-September:
Tuesday-Sunday: 09:00-13:00, 18:00-22:00
Monday: 09:00-13:00
Entrance: 1,50, 0,50 for children
The Thalassa Marine Museum is

housed in a modern multi-purpose
building. Its theme is the sea and the
marine heritage of Cyprus from
prehistoric times to the present. Pride
of place among the exhibits is a lifesize functioning replica of a 4th
century BC Greek trading vessel, the
original of which was found off the
coast of Keryneia.
The museums collections include
embalmed and preserved sea organisms,
archaeological artefacts, fish fossils, sea
turtles, as well as contemporary sea
shells and other organisms of the
Mediterranean.
CAPE GKREKO NATIONAL PARK

It is believed that a temple dedicated to
Aphrodite once existed in the Cape Gkreko area. Cape Gkreko
National Park is an area of unique natural beauty, where one can
admire magnificent cliff formations. Many of the 36 different
orchid species growing on the island are found here, as well as crocuses and
irises. The local nature trail links the area with the Aphrodite Cultural Route.
PARALIMNI
After the city of Ammochostos
(Famagusta) was occupied by Turkish troops in 1974, this small township
became the temporary administrative centre of the district. It has an interesting
two-aisled church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which is decorated with
unusual 18th century porcelain plates. Sections of the church that date back to
the 13th century house a small ecclesiastical museum. There are a number of
other interesting churches in the wider Paralimni area.
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DERYNEIA
Deryneia has three important churches
- the small medieval domed church of Agios Georgios dating to the 17th century,
the 15th century chapel of Agia Marina, and a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary
(Panagia) which has two exquisite 17th century icons. From the hill to the north
of the village one can view the occupied city of Ammochostos (Famagusta), once
the most popular holiday resort in Cyprus.
1. Deryneia Folk Art Museum
Deryneia Folk Art Museum is situated
in a beautiful old house, which serves
as a charming venue for civil marriages.
Its collection consists of folk art items
from past centuries.
Demetri Liperti 2
Tel: 23740353
Entrance: 1,00
2. Cultural Centre of Occupied Ammochostos (Famagusta)

The Cultural Centre hosts regular
presentations and briefings with regard
to the Cyprus problem. Binoculars are
available for viewing the occupied city
of Ammochostos (Famagusta). There is
also a small photographic exhibition of
the occupied city, as well as a handicraft
centre selling traditional items.
Evagorou 35
Tel: 23740860
All the year round
Saturday: 09:30-16:30
Entrance free
SOTIRA VILLAGE
Sotira was an important village in
Byzantine times. There are five interesting Byzantine churches in the village,
particularly as regards their architecture and beautiful wall structure. The church
of Agios Mamas is situated on the eastern side of the village and was built in the
early 16th century. Most of its wall paintings also date to the 16th century. About
one kilometre to the west stands the cruciform church of Panagia Chordakiotissa,
the church of Agios Georgios Hortakion and the church of Agios Theodoros (of
which only the narthex survives). In the centre of the village stands the church
of the Transfiguration of the Saviour (13th -16th century) with excellent examples
of post-Comnenian art (early 13th century).
An old chapel has been turned into a
museum to house a small but important
collection of ecclesiastic artefacts and
icons, such as a 15th century icon of
Christ.
To arrange a visit:
Tel: 23823932
Entrance free
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FRENAROS VILLAGE
The village of Frenaros has a number of
small Byzantine churches, such as the churches of the Archangelos Michael
and of Agios Andronikos, which date to the 12th century. Also of interest
is the 15th century church of Agia Marina, containing some interesting
frescoes painted by different artists only a few of which survive today.
AVGOROU VILLAGE
Ethnographic Museum
Leoforos (Avenue) Karyon 52
Tel: 23923340
Wednesday-Thursday: 16:00-18:00
(November-May: 15:00-17:00)
Saturday: 09:00-13:00
Entrance: 1,00 (0,50 for children)
Avgorou has many Byzantine and post

Byzantine churches. The main church
of the village is dedicated to Saints
Peter and Paul. Inside the church are
two double-sided 17th century icons,
one of St. George and the other
featuring St. John the Baptist. There is
also an icon of Christ dating to 1629.
Other churches include the chapel of
Agios Georgios and the church of Agios
Georgios Terrachotis.
The Avgorou Ethnographic Museum is situated in an old two-storey house.

Its exhibits depict the way of life in the area of bygone generations.
LIOPETRI VILLAGE
In the village of Liopetri is a 16th
century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and a 15th century church of
Agios Andronikos with an octagonal dome and the remains of murals
which can still be distinguished in the apse. Liopetri has an ongoing
tradition for basket making.
Near the village centre there is a barn, the location of one of the most
revered memorials to the 1955-59 Liberation Struggle. Here on 2
September 1958 the four EOKA fighters Andreas Karyos, Elias
Papakyriakou, Fotis Pittas and Christos Samaras died after a long battle
against British troops.
POTAMOS
The estuary of Potamos is a picturesque
fishing shelter. The remains of a Venetian period watch-tower are nearby.
Arthur Rimbaud, the French poet whose work influenced the surrealists
(1854-1891), worked in this area in the early 1880s.
XYLOFAGOU VILLAGE
The village church of Agios Georgios
was built and decorated in the late 15th century. A new iconostasis was built
in 1770 and later the church was turned into a monastery. The Annunciation
and the Nativity are amongst the churchs most important wall paintings.
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Ten Byzantine period churches from Troodos are listed

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Stavros tou Agiasmati, Panagia
tou Araka, Timios Stavros at Pelendri, Agios Nikolaos tis
Stegis, Panagia Podithou, Panagia Asinou, Agios Ioannis
Lambadistis, Panagia (Moutoulla), Archangelos Michael at
Pedoulas and Sotiros at Palaichori.
The imposing Troodos mountain range raises its highest peak to 1951m above
sea level and stretches across most of the southern and western part of Cyprus.
This tranquil region provides a cool refuge for long walks in the summer
among idyllic pine scented forests. Covered in snow in winter, it offers an
opportunity for skiing and other
winter sports.
Nestled in the Troodos mountains
are some of the most beautiful hill
resorts of the island, with mountain
streams, Byzantine monasteries and
picturesque villages built on terraced
hillsides. The Troodos area has been
renowned since antiquity for its rich
mines. In Byzantine times it became
a centre for art, as monks and
ordinary citizens built churches and
monasteries far from the Arab raid
threatened coastal areas. The Cyprus
Tourism Organisation, in cooperation
with the Forestry Department, has
issued a publication with information
on various nature trail options, many
in the Troodos area. Besides the
Machairas region to the east and the
Kykkos Monastery
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Troodos proper region surrounding the tallest peak of Mount Olympos (1951m), there are four
other distinct regions, each with its own character and charm. These regions are the Pitsilia area
to the east of Mount Olympos, the Solea Valley to the north, the Marathasa Valley to the west
and the Krassochoria region to the south (the northwestern part of Limassol district).
Lofou village
Oikos village
TROODOS RESORT
Troodos Visitor
Centre
(Environmental
Information)
Plateia Troodous
(Troodos square)
Tel: 25420144
December-February:
Monday-Friday:
10:00-15:00,
Sunday: 10:00-14:30
(closed on public
holidays)
March-June, September-November:
(open on public holidays)
July-August:
(open on public holidays)
Entrance: 0.50
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Troodos Visitor Centre is situated 200m

west of Troodos square (Plateia). It is
the first of its kind in Cyprus and
provides information about the Troodos
National Park, its importance in the
development of the region, the various
facilities and activities available here, as
well as information about the mountain
environment in general. The Centre has
a reception area with information on
the geology, flora and fauna of the
Troodos mountain range. A nature trail
where one can see a good sample of
various plants and rock formations of
the region is linked to the building.
PLATRES RESORT
Situated near Troodos, Platres is the largest and most stylish
mountain resort in the Lemesos (Limassol) district. Platres is a popular place for
excursions and a refuge from the intense summer heat. The beauty of the area
was immortalised in a poem by Greek Nobel laureate George Seferis. Mesa
Potamos monastery is an old monastery near Platres situated in an idyllic area
with a small waterfall.
EAST
PITSILIA
The region east of Mount Olympos is
known as Pitsilia and includes about 40 villages. Its tallest peaks are Madari
(1612m) and Papoutsa (1554m). The picturesque villages nestle on the
mountainside amid vineyards, or are hidden in valleys, maintaining much of
their traditional charm. The surrounding hills and valleys are full of vines,
almond, hazelnut, walnut and other fruit trees. The changing landscape, the
variety of shapes and colours, the old churches and chapels and the warm
hospitality of the local inhabitants make the Pitsilia region one of the most
beautiful parts of Cyprus. The Pitsilia area is accessible either from Lemesos
(Limassol), or from Lefkosia (Nicosia).
From Lemesos: Lemesos - Gerasa - Agios Theodoros - Agros road or Lemesos
- Trimiklini - Pelendri - Agros road.
Agridia village
From Lefkosia: Lefkosia - Palaichori - Agros road or Lefkosia - Kakopetria Karvounas - Kyperounta road
LOUVARAS VILLAGE
In the village centre stands the small
church of Agios Mamas built in 1455
and decorated with wall paintings
signed by artist Philipos Goul.
28km north of Lemesos (Limassol),

on the south east of the Troodos range
AGROS VILLAGE
48km from Lemesos (Limassol)
Agros is in the heart of the Pitsilia

via Gerasa Agios Theodoros road
region situated in a beautiful valley with
a dry climate and cool springs. The
village was given its name by forty
monks who came to Cyprus from Asia Minor during the iconoclastic period and
named it after the place they had left behind, 'Megas Agros'. A 9th century
monastery built by monks from Constantinople once stood where the 19th
century Byzantine style church of Panagia Eleousa stands today. Agros also has a
museum of icons. The village is also known for its traditional products such as
aromatic rosewater, 'hiromeri' (smoked ham), 'loukanika' (spicy smoked
sausages) and 'lountza' (smoked fillet of pork).
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PALAICHORI VILLAGE
45km from Lefkosia
(Nicosia) on the Lefkosia Agros - Lemesos road
15km from Agros village
As its name implies (palaio means

old), this is a very old village. The
village is mentioned in 13th century
documents and it is believed the King
of Cyprus Henry II gave it to the
Knights Templars. Even today some of
the surnames of the inhabitants have
Latin roots. The 16th century church of
Panagia Chrysopantanassa has marvelous
wall paintings.
Also worth a visit are the Liberation Struggle Museum in a house,

which was once a hide-out for 1955-59 EOKA fighters, as well as
the Monument to the Cypriot Mother which overlooks the region.
The village is famous for its smoked ham and spicy sausages.
1. The Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour (Metamorfosis tou Sotiros)
Open all the
year round
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Wednesday:
10:00-13:00
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A listed UNESCO World Heritage Site,

the church is an early 16th century
chapel on the hill overlooking the
village. Its interior is completely painted
with one of the most accomplished
series of murals of the post-Byzantine
period.
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2. Byzantine Heritage Museum

Tuesday & Wednesday:
10:00-13:00
Tel: 22643012
The museum is housed in a restored

building. It exhibits Byzantine artifacts
and icons from the churches of
Palaichori and nearby villages. The
exhibits date from the 12th to the 17th
centuries. They include silver and
bronze work, wood-carving and
textiles.
PLATANISTASA VILLAGE
The Church of Stavros tou Agiasmati
PA
About 3km outside the village of

Platanistasa there is the renowned
church of Stavros tou Agiasmati, a listed
UNESCO World Heritage
Site. It retains the most
complete cycles of mural
paintings of the second
half of the 15th century.
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Tel. 22652562,
99587292
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15km from Agros, 30km off

the Lefkosia - Astromeritis
road, turning left before
Peristerona village (OrountaKato Moni-Platanistasa).
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LAGOUDERA VILLAGE
The Church of Panagia tou Araka
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15km from Agros village or off the

Kakopetria-Troodos-Limassol road
(Karvounas junction)
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The 12th century church of

Panagia tou Araka is a listed UNESCO
World Heritage Site. It contains some
of the finest frescoes of the late
Comnenian style (1192) comparable to
those prevailing throughout Greece, the
Balkans and Russia. The church along
with the churches of Asinou and of
Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis, are
considered to be the most important
Byzantine period churches on the
island. Visitors may ask the priest to
open the church.
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SPILIA VILLAGE
Olive press
A single-room stone building with a
pitched roof, restored by the Department of Antiquities in 1955. The 19th
century wooden olive press machine, as well as the stone olive mill and its
millstones are well preserved. Tools for producing olive oil are displayed
inside. Visitors may ask for the entrance key from the Association of
Expatriates and Friends of SpiliaKourdali building, next to the olive press.
KOURDALI VILLAGE
The Church of Panagia Chrysokourdaliotissa
A three-aisled church with a steep
pitched roof and flat roof tiles. It was built in the 16th century as the chapel
of a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary and founded by deacon
Ioannis Kourdalis, according to the foundation stone. The wall paintings are
from the same period, with western influences.
The icon-stand is a beautiful example of 16th and 17th century
woodcarving, with icons from this period. Excellent examples of wood
carving make up the old church pews, dating to the 16th century.
KYPEROUNTA VILLAGE
The Church of Timios Stavros and Eclesiastical Museum
Tel: 25532253, 25813204 for visits
The church of Timios Stavros (Church
of the Holy Cross) houses the ecclesiastical museum which contains icons and religious objects belonging to the
village churches. It also has a garden with traditional plants and herbs.
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PELENDRI VILLAGE
The Church of Timios Stavros (Church of the Holy Cross)
off Trimiklini - Lemesos road
Tel: 25552369
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The village of Pelendri was once the

property of Jean de Lusignan, son of
the Lusignan King of Cyprus, Hugh IV.
There are two interesting churches in
the village. One is the 14th century
church of Timios Stavros with superb
wall paintings of the Paleologian and
other periods. It is a listed UNESCO
World Heritage Site. The other is the church of Panagia Katholiki in the
middle of the village, which dates to the early 16th century. It has paintings
of the Italo-Byzantine style.
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NORTH
SOLEA VALLEY
The beautiful valley of Solea is situated
along the main LefkosiaTroodos road (56km from Lefkosia, 56km from
Lemesos via Kato Amiantos).
The picturesque mountain villages of Galata and Kakopetria are popular
hillside resorts with a range of hotels and restaurants, but they also retain
much of their traditional architecture. Both villages are famous for their
Byzantine churches. Other charming villages in the area are Evrychou,
Flasou and Korakou.
KAKOPETRIA VILLAGE
Kakopetria is a popular hill resort with
a beautiful central square and many traditional houses that have been
restored. The old quarter of the village is a listed area where old houses
have been carefully restored or reconstructed. The small 16th century
church of Panagia Theotokos still retains about half of its original wall
paintings. The same applies to the church of Agios Georgios Perachoritis,
to the east of the village dating to the early 16th century.
The Church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis
5km from Kakopetria
village
TR
IM
O NI O M U N D
IA
PA
The church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis

(St. Nicholas of the Roof) stands about
5km from Kakopetria. It once belonged
Open all the year
to a monastery complex. It is covered
round
entirely in wall paintings dating from
Tuesday-Saturday:
the 11th to the 17th centuries
09:00-16:00
and is considered one of
Sunday: 11:00-16:00
the most
interesting
Monday: Closed
Byzantine churches on
Entrance free
the island. It derives its
name from its pitched
wooden roof. The church is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
RI
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70
IN
MO
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W O RL D H
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GALATA VILLAGE
TR
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IA
PA
There are four painted churches in and

around the village of Galata:
IN
MO
N D IA L
TA
RI
2. The church of the Archangelos Michael, or Panagia

Theotokos, is a timber-roofed chapel, just below the
village, painted in the post-Byzantine style of the early
16th century.
E
W O RL D H
1. Nearby is the church of Panagia Podithou, which once

belonged to a monastery. It was built in 1502. Its
paintings are of the Italo-Byzantine style, which appeared
on the island towards the end of the 15th century. The
church is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
GE
PATR
IM
Panagia Podithou
church
3. The church of Agios Sozomenos, which stands in the

middle of the old village, dates to the early 16th century
and retains a complete series of frescoes in the postByzantine style.
To arrange a visit please call 22922394, 99985049
4. The small church of Agia Paraskevi on the old Kakopetria-Galata road has
paintings dating to 1514.
Another interesting place worth a visit is the old Inn, "the Hani Kalliana",
which has been restored.
PANAGIA ASINOU CHURCH

TR
IM
O NI O M U N D
IA
PA
The Panagia Asinou

Church is a UNESCO
World Heritage site. It
is a small church
dedicated to the Virgin of
Phorbia, with wall paintings dating
from the 12th to the 17th century,
which are considered to be some of the
finest on the island. The name comes
from an 11th century BC Greek city
called Asine.
RI
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W O RL D H
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Nikitari village
5km southwest of Nikitari village,
off the main Lefkosia-Troodos road
(via Vizakia-Nikitari), around 20km
northeast of Kakopetria village
Tel: 99830329
Daily:
09:30-17:00 (May-August)
09:30-16:30 (Sept-October)
09:30-16:00 (November-April)
WEST
MARATHASA VALLEY
Marathasa is a fertile valley, known
for its cherry trees, situated on the northern slopes of the Troodos range.
It is dotted with picturesque villages, such as Kalopanagiotis, Moutoullas
and Pedoulas. It can be reached from the north along the LefkosiaEvrychou-Troodos road and from the south along the Lemesos-PlatresProdromos road.
Moutoullas village
Pedoulas village
T R O O D O S
71
PEDOULAS VILLAGE
Pedoulas is a hill resort renowned for
its cherries. In the village one can visit the Church of the Archangelos
Michael, the Byzantine Museum and the Folk Art Museum.
1. The Church of the Archangel Michael and Byzantine Museum
TR
IM
O NI O M U N D
The painted church of the Archangelos

Michael is situated in the lowest part of
the village. It is a listed UNESCO World
Heritage Site and dates to 1474. It has a
pitched wooden roof typical of the
Troodos churches. The wall paintings
are in the local post-Byzantine style that
developed prior to Venetian rule.
IA
PA
Tel: 22952140
Museum open daily: 10:00-18:00
March-November
10:00-16:00 in December, January
and February
Entrance free
N D IA L
MO
Pedoulas Byzantine museum is located a

few metres away from the church. It
was established to house and preserve
icons and artifacts dating from the 12th
century. All the exhibits come from
churches in the region.
RI
IN
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W O RL D H
TA
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2. Folk Art Museum

Tel: 22952140
The Folk Art Museum exhibits depict

the way of life, customs, traditions and
history of the Marathasa village communities. On view are traditional rural
objects, such as local dresses, woodcarved furniture and other household
and agricultural objects.
Open daily except Mondays:

10:00-16:00
Entrance free
MOUTOULLAS VILLAGE
TR
IM
O NI O M U N D
IA
PA
The Church of Panagia tou Moutoulla

The tiny 13th century chapel of
To arrange a visit:
Panagia tou Moutoulla has a steepTel: 22952341
pitched wooden roof and frescoes
dating to 1280. It is a listed UNESCO
World Heritage Site. The
village of Moutoullas has an
ongoing tradition for carved
wooden basins.
MO
E
IN
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72
GE
PATR
IM
N D IA L
MO
TA
RI
N D IA L
ER
W O RL D H
TA
IN
PA
DI
E
W O RL D H
IM
TR
O NI O M U N
GE
PATR
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KALOPANAGIOTIS VILLAGE
69km from Lefkosia (Nicosia)
The picturesque village of Kalopanagiotis

is known for its healthy sulphur springs and for its church of Agios loannis
Lampadistis.
The Church of Agios Ioannis Lambadistis and Byzantine Museum
Tel: 99476149
All the yer round
IM
O NI O M U N D
IA
TR
N D IA L
E
IN
TA
MO
ER
W O RL D H
The church of Agios Irakleidios was built in the 11th century while its frescoes
date to the 13th and 16th century. The templon is particularly interesting,
covered with gargoyles, including a heraldic Lusignan lion and Byzantine eagle.
PA
Tuesday-Sunday:
09:00-13:00&14:00-16:00
Originally a monastery, todays church

of Agios Ioannis Lambadistis is a
complex of three churches: Agios
Irakleidios, Agios Ioannis Lambadistis
and a Latin chapel all under a single
pitched roof. The church is a listed
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
GE
PATR
IM
The church of Agios Ioannis Lambadistis was built in 1731. The saints tomb,
which dates to the 12th century, can be found under the narrow northeastern
arch and the saints skull lies in a niche. The icon of Lambadistis dates to 1543.
A very interesting Byzantine museum can be seen near the church.
The Latin Chapel contains the most complete series of Italo-Byzantine paintings
in Cyprus.
KYKKOS MONASTERY AND MUSEUM

13km from the village of Pedoulas
The best-known and richest monastery

Tel: 22942736
of Cyprus, Kykkos Monastery was
The Monastery and museum are open daily
founded in 1100 and dedicated to the
November-May: 10:00-16:00
Virgin Mary. It possesses one of three
June-October: 10:00-18:00
surviving icons ascribed to Saint Luke.
Entrance to the museum:
It is covered in silver gilt, enclosed in
1.50, 1.00 for groups
a shrine of tortoiseshell and mother-ofpearl, and stands in front of the iconstand. The museum is an integral part of the monastery and houses a priceless
collection of icons, consecrated vessels, manuscripts and Cypriot antiquities.
The first President of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III served as a novice here.
At his wish, he was buried at Throni, a scenic location 3km west of the
monastery. Annual religious fairs (panigiria) are held at Kykko on 15 August
and 8 September.
TROODITISSA MONASTERY
5km northwest of Platres resort
Trooditissa Monastery is situated in a

beautiful spot among pine trees. It was
originally founded in the 13th century, but the present church was built in
1731. The church contains a priceless silver-plated icon of the Virgin Mary
brought from Asia Minor. The monastery is closed to the public.
T R O O D O S
73
ROUTES
BYZANTINE ROUTE
Visit the famous Byzantine churches of Cyprus, with their rare icons and superb frescoes. Ten
of these churches are listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Scattered throughout the Troodos
mountain regions of Marathasa, Solea and Pitsilia, and set in beautiful surroundings among the
pine trees, they are bound to impress you.
PA
TR
Troodos
Mandria
Agios Nikolaos
7 Panagia Asinou
Panagia Podithou
(Galata)
Solea
Stavros tou Agiasmati
Agios Nikolaos 1
(Platanistasa)
5 (Kakopetria)
Pitsilia
4
Panagia tou Araka
Sotiros
(Lagoudera)
2 (Palaichori)
Agros
Platres
3 Timios Stavros
(Pelendri)
6
Laneia
Kedares
Coral Bay
IA
N D IA L
MO
E
IN
TA
RI
Marathasa
Agios Ioannis Lampadistis
8
(Kalopanagiotis)
Panagia
(Moutoullas) 9
Kykkos
Arch.
Stavros tis Psokas
Michael 10
(Pedoulas)
O NI O M U N D
Peristerona
Nikitari
Polis
IM
E
W O RL D H
Astromeritis
(Nicosia)
LEFKOSIA
GE
PATR
IM
PITSILIA
1.
2.
3.
4.
Stavros tou Agiasmati

Sotiros
Timios Stavros
Panagia tou Araka
SOLEA
5. Agios Nikolaos
6. Panagia Podithou
7. Panagia Asinou
PAFOS
Alassa
Geroskipou
MARATHASA
Nikokleia
Kouklia
LEMESOS
(Limassol)
Road Network
8. Agios Ioannis Lambadistis

9. Panagia tou Moutoulla
10. Arch. Michael
APHRODITE CULTURAL ROUTE

Follow in the footsteps of Aphrodite, the mythological Olympian goddess of love and
beauty and protectress of Cyprus. The route focuses on the archaeological sites
dedicated to the ancient cult of Aphrodite and includes Palaipafos (Kouklia),
Amathous and Kition. These are linked to other sites and museums with artifacts
related to the goddess. Wander through
layers of history, culture and mythology as
you learn all about her birth, mythology,
character, the rituals connected with her
Idalion
Tamassos
cult, as well as plants and
Agia Napa
Kition
(Ancient city Kingdom) Cavo Gkreko
seashells associated
Salt
with her.
Lake
LEFKOSIA
(Nicosia)
Cape
Arnaoutis
Akamas
Baths of Aphrodite
Polis
LARNAKA
Coral Bay
PAFOS
Lempa
Geroskipou
Palaipafos
Aphrodites Sanctuary
(Kouklia)
Amathous
(Ancient city Kingdom)
LEMESOS
(Limassol)
Petra tou Romiou

(Aphrodites Birthplace)
Cape Aspron
10 000
74
CYPRUS TOURISM ORGANISATION OFFICES

CYPRUS
CYPRUS TOURISM ORGANISATION
19, Leoforos Lemesou
P.O. Box 24535, CY 1390 Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Tel: 22 691100, Fax: 22 331644
E-mail: cytour@cto.org.cy
UNITED KINGDOM
CYPRUS TOURIST OFFICE
17, Hanover Street London W1S 1YP
Tel. 0207 569 8800, Fax: 0207 499 4935
E-mail: informationcto@btconnect.com
IRELAND
71, Lower Leeson Str., Dublin 2
Tel. 00 353-1-6629269, Fax: 00 353-1-6629270
E-mail: cyprusinfo@eircom.net
GERMANY
FREMDENVERKEHRSZENTRALE ZYPERN
FRANKFURT
Zeil 127 - 60313 Frankfurt
Tel. (069) 25 19 19, Fax: (069) 25 02 88
E-mail: info@cto-fra.de
BERLIN
Wallstr. 27, 10179 Berlin
Tel. 0 30-23 45-75 90, Fax: 0 30-23 45-75 91
E-mail: cto_berlin@tonline.de
SWITZERLAND
FREMDENVERKEHR
RSZENTRALE ZYPERN
Gottfried Keller Strasse 7, CH-8001 Zrich
Tel. (+4144) 262 3303, Fax: (+4144) 251 2417
Geneva: Tel: (+4122) 741 33 03
E-mail: ctozurich@bluewin.ch
AUSTRIA
ZYPERN TOURISMUS
Parkring 20, A1010 Wien
Tel. (01) 513 18 70, Fax: (01) 513 18 72
E-mail: zyperntourism@aon.at
FRANCE
OFFICE
E DU TOURISME DE CHYPRE
15, Rue de la Paix, 75002 Paris
Tel. (01) 42 61 42 49, Fax: (01) 42 61 65 13
E-mail: cto.chypre.paris@wanadoo.fr
BELGIUM
OFFICE DU TOURISME DE CHYPRE
DIENST VOOR TOERISME VAN CYPRUS
Avenue de Cortenbergh 61, Kortenberglaan
B-1000 Bruxelles/Brussel
Tel. 02/735.06.21, Fax: 02/735.66.07
E-mail: cyprus@skynet.be
THE
E NETHERLANDS
CYPRUS VERKEERSBUREAU
Keizersgracht 635, 1017 DS Amsterdam
Tel. (020) 624 4358, Fax: (020) 638 3369
E-mail: cyprus.sun@wxs.nl
SWEDEN
CYPERNS TURISTRD
Norrlandsgatan 20, 1st floor,
111 43 Stockholm
Tel. (08) 10 50 25, Fax: (08) 10 64 14
E-mail: info@ctosweden.org
FINLAND
KYPROKSEN MATKAILUTOIMISTO
Aleksanterinkatu 48B, 00100 Helsinki
Tel. (0) 9-476 09 100, Fax: (0) 9-476 09 120
E-mail: info@ctofinland.org
GREECE
ATHENS
Voukourestiou 38, Kolonaki, Athens 10673
Tel. (210) 36 10 178, (210) 36 10 057
Fax: (210) 36 44 798
E-mail: ctoathens@ath.forthnet.gr
THESSALONIKI
37 Nikis Ave., Thessaloniki 54013,
P.O.Box 50046
Tel. 00 2310-242880, Fax: 00 2310-286881
E-mail: kotthes@the.forthnet.gr
ITALY
ENTE NAZIONALE PER IL TURISMO DI
CIIPRO
Via Santa Sofia 6, 20122 Milano
Tel. 02 58 31 98 35, 02 58 30 33 28
Fax: 02 58 30 33 75
E-mail: info@turismocipro.it
CYPRUS
TOURIST INFORMATION
OFFICES
Lefkosia (Nicosia) Laiki Geitonia:
Tel: 22 67 42 64
UNITED STATES
CYPRUS TOURISM ORGANIZATION
13 East, 40th Str., New York, NY 10016
Tel. (00 1212) 6835280
Fax: (00 1212) 6835282
E-mail: gocyprus@aol.com
Lemesos (Limassol):
Tel: 25 36 27 56
ISRAEL
Top Tower-14th floor, Dizengoff Centre
50 Dizengoff Str., - Tel-Aviv 64332
Tel. 00-972-3-52 57 442
Fax: 00-972-3-52 57 443
E-mail: cto@netvision.net.il
Larnaka: Tel: 24 65 43 22
Germasoggeia: Tel: 25 32 32 11
Lemesos Port: Tel: 25 57 18 68
Larnaka International Airport:
Tel: 24 64 35 76
Pafos: Tel: 26 93 28 41
Kato Pafos: Tel: 26 93 05 21
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
MOSCOW
Povarskaya 9, Building 2, 121069, Moscow
Tel. 007 495 744 2953/54
Fax: 007 495 744 2955
E-mail: moscowcto@yandex.ru
Pafos Interrnational Airport:

Tel: 26 42 31 61
Polis: Tel: 26 32 24 68
Agia Napa: Tel: 23 72 17 96
ST. PETERSBURG
Prospect Chernyshevskogo
Flat 56, house 17, 191123 St. Petersburg
Tel: 007-812-332-58-08, Fax: 007-812-332-58-09
E-mail: spbcto@yandex.ru
Paralimni-Protaras: Tel: 23 83 28 65
Platres: Tel: 25 42 13 16
Cyprus Online:
www.visitcyprus.com
HUNGARY
CIPRUSI IDEGENFORGALMI HIVATAL
H-1051 Budapest, Dorottya Str. 3. III floor
Tel. 00-36-1-266 6044, Fax: 00-36-1-266 6043
E-mail: ciprusinfo@t-online.hu
POLAND
CYPRYJSKA ORGANIZACJA TURYSTYCZNA
Ul Piekna 20, 00549 Warszawa
Tel.+ 48 22-827 90 36, Fax: + 48 22-827 90 34
E-mail: cto@cypr.pl
CZECH REPUBLIC
KYPE
ERSK ORGANIZACE CESTOVNHO
RUCHU
Pod Hradbami 662/9, 16000 Praha 6
Tel. 00-420-222-253 097
Fax: 00-420-222-251 639
E-mail: cto.prague@volny.cz
The official website of the Cyprus

Tourism Organisation provides
compreshensive information on
the major attractions of Cyprus,
complete with maps, an updated
calendar of events, a detailed
hotel guide, downloadable photos,
a travel planner to help you
organise your trip to Cyprus and
suggested itineraries. You will
also find a list of tour operators
covering Cyprus, information on
conferences and incentives and
a wealth of other useful
information.
MIDDLE EAST & ARABIAN GULF

Al Ghurair Center, Office Tower, No 436B
P.O.Box 94670, Deira, Dubai, UAE
Tel. (009714) 2277637, Fax. (009714) 2277638
E-mail: tourism@cyprusme.com
C T O
O F F I C E S
75
NOTE
Every effort has been made in the production of this publication, for the inclusion of accurate
and valid information at the time of print. The Cyprus Tourism Organisation recommends
that visitors check information regarding visiting hours, addresses and telephone numbers
as well as entrance fees, as some of these may have changed.
As of 1.1.08 the Cyprus Republic is expected to enter the euro zone and employ the euro as
its currency.
The prices listed in the contents of this publication () are converted into euros (4) based on
the exchange rate of the Cyprus pound against the euro which was set on 10.7.07,
i.e 1 = 41.71 or 41=0.58
Production: Cyprus Tourism Organisation

Historical text: Dr. Sofia Antoniadou
English translation: Marina Christofidou
Photography: Cyprus Tourism Organisation,
Action Global Communications, Forestry Dpt.,
Denny Rowland, Helen Stylianou
Printing: ANKAT PUBLICATIONS LTD - July 2007
ISBN: 9963-44-057-6
ENGLISH

www.visitcyprus.com

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Cyprus.

10 000 years of history & civilisation

CYPRUS: 10000 years of history and civilisation

THE HISTORY OF CYPRUS

8200-1050 BC Prehistoric Age

1050-480 BC Historic Times: Geometric and Archaic Periods

480 BC-330 AD Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Periods

330-1191 AD Byzantine Period

1192-1489 AD Frankish Period

1489-1571 AD The Venetians in Cyprus

1571-1878 AD Cyprus becomes part of the Ottoman Empire

1878-1960 AD British rule

1960-today The Cyprus Republic,

ROUTES: Byzantine route, Aphrodite Cultural Route

CYPRUS TOURISM ORGANISATION OFFICES

It is an unfortunate reality that a large part of the

1. The archaeological site of Choirokoitia

Kourion Ancient Theatre

1. Stone container, Neolithic age

6. Bronze figurine of the Horned God,

Geometric and Archaic period pottery

The second major development was the use of iron in metallurgy,

Marble head of Aphrodite,

Roman period coins

Silver plate, Lambousa, 7th century

Peace prevailed in Cyprus during the first centuries of the

1. Panagia Asinou, Nikitari

Cyprus acquired particular importance to Byzantium and to Islam in the 7th

Richard the Lionheart

When the Ottomans conquered the island of Rhodes in 1522, the

Since the early 18th century, there took place a

The Republic of Cyprus was proclaimed on 16 August 1960. The island

Monument to Liberty, Lefkosia

Lefkosia (Nicosia) is situated practically in the centre of Cyprus and

Visitors to Lefkosia (Nicosia) can

The Cyprus Museum in Lefkosia (Nicosia) is the

The Old City within the walls

AGIOS IOANNIS (ST. JOHNS) CATHEDRAL

It was built by Archbishop Nikiforos in

ARCHBISHOPRIC (NEW AND OLD)

The new Archbishopric, the seat of the

ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM OF CYPRUS

The Ethnographic Museum of Cyprus,

NATIONAL STRUGGLE MUSEUM

The museum houses documents,

MUNICIPAL ARTS CENTRE

The building of the old power station,

PANAGIA CHRYSALINIOTISSA CHURCH

It is believed to be the oldest Byzantine

CHRYSALINIOTISSA CRAFTS CENTRE

This complex of eight workshops is

PYLI AMMOCHOSTOU (FAMAGUSTA GATE)

Famagusta Gate is one of the three

THE HOUSE OF CHATZIGEORGAKIS KORNESIOS - ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM

This manor house is one of the most

OMERIYE MOSQUE (EX AUGUSTINIAN CHURCH)

The mosque was formerly a 14th

The Omeriye Baths were built in the

KASTELIOTISSA MEDIEVAL HALL