Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean and the third largest and the third most populous island in the Mediterranean. Archaeological remain includes the well-preserved Neolithic village of Khirokitia,and Cyprus is home to some of the oldest water wells in the world. Cyprus is a major tourist destination in the Mediterranean.
List of places in Cyprus;
1)Protaras is a predominantly tourist resort which comes under the administrative jurisdiction of Paralimni Municipality in Cyprus. Protaras has clear sky-blue waters and sandy beaches,and is one of the most popular diving destinations with some of the best dive sites in Cyprus and East Mediterranean.
2)Amathus was one of the most ancient royal city of Cyrus. Amathus was build on the coastal cliffs with a natural harbor and flourished at an early date. The prehistory of Amathus mixes myth and archaeological. Some archaeological findings in Amathus are pottery left by the Greeks of Euboea in the 10th century B.C.,palace and port during the post-Phoenician era of the 8th century B.C. and also a special burial grounds for infants,a tophet. Excavators also discovered the final stage of the Temple of Aphrodite which date approximately to the 1st century B.C.
3)Kourion was an ancient city on the southwestern coast of Cyprus. The Kourion archaeological area lies within the Akrotiri West Sovereign Base Area,and it is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Important excavations in Kourion Archaeological Area are;
2)Amathus was one of the most ancient royal city of Cyrus. Amathus was build on the coastal cliffs with a natural harbor and flourished at an early date. The prehistory of Amathus mixes myth and archaeological. Some archaeological findings in Amathus are pottery left by the Greeks of Euboea in the 10th century B.C.,palace and port during the post-Phoenician era of the 8th century B.C. and also a special burial grounds for infants,a tophet. Excavators also discovered the final stage of the Temple of Aphrodite which date approximately to the 1st century B.C.
3)Kourion was an ancient city on the southwestern coast of Cyprus. The Kourion archaeological area lies within the Akrotiri West Sovereign Base Area,and it is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Important excavations in Kourion Archaeological Area are;
- The Theatre of Kourion was excavated between 1935 and 1950. Constructed in the northern slope of the defile descending to the Amathus Gate,the Theatre were reconstructed and repaired several times and was abandoned in the later-fourth century C.E. The enlarged cavea of the Roman phases could have accommodated an audience of as many as 3,500. The present remains of the theatre have been restored extensively.
- The Baths and House of Eustulios situated along the crest of the southeastern cliffs immediately east and slightly above the theatre,the structure was excavated in 1933 and 1948. Constructed in the late 4th or early 5th centuries C.E. and remained occupied until the mid 7th century C.E.
- The House of Achilles,located at the northwestern extent of the acropolis,at the southern end of a saddle connecting the acropoline Promontory to the hills to the north and west. It was constructed in the 4th century C.E.
- House of the Gladiators is located south and east of the House of Achilles. The structure date to the late 3rd century C.E.
- Forum and the Baths the agora was constructed in the 3rd century A.D. over the remain of the public building of the 4th century to the early 1st century B.C.
- Episcopal Precinct of Kourion constructed in the early 5th century A.D.,and successfully renovated in the 6th century A.D.,is among the most important Early Christian monuments yet excavated in Cyprus. The Precinct was destroyed during the Arab Raiding of the 7th century after which the settlement was reestablished in Episkopi.
- The Northwest Basilica located northwest of the acropolis,a three-apse basilica was constructed in the late 5th century. A church was constructed within the church complex north of the main basilica. The basilica was destroyed in the Arab Raids in the mid 7th century.
- The Coastal Basilica located below the west cliffs of the Acropolis,a three-apse and three-aisled basilica was constructed in the early 6th century.
- The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates,located 1.7 kilometres west of the Acropolis,was a Pan-Cypriot sanctuary,third in importance only to the Sanctuaries of Zeus Salaminos and Paphian Aphrodite. The Sanctuary at present was constructed in the 1st century and early 2nd century. The sannctuary was abandoned in the late 4th century.
- The Stadium located 0.5 kilometres west of the acropolis was constructed during the Antonine period (138-180). The Stadium was 187 metre long,with a standing line marked put two stones circular posts,set wide enough to accommodate eight runners.
4)Bellapais Abbey or "The Abbey of Peace"is the ruin of a monastery build by Canons Regular in the 13th century on the northern side of the small village of Bellapais, in Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus. The ruin is at an altitude of 220 metres above sea level,and commands a long view down to Kyrenia and the Mediterranean Sea. The site is also a museum,host a venue for concerts and lectures,and also for local music festival.
5)Platres is a mountainous village in Cyprus,the locals called it Pano Platres (Upper Platres),located in the southern slopes Troödos Mountains and is one of the Krasochoria. Platres is the largest Troödos resort,situated about 5 kilometres from Troödos square and 45 kilometres (28 mi) south-east of the capital city of Nicosia. Platres is a very old village that existed during the Lusignan Era (1192-1489 A.D.) and the Venetian Era (1489-1571 A.D.).
6)Ayia Napa is a resort at the far eastern end of the southern coast of Cyprus. Ayia Napa Monastery is the only building with historical interest in the Ayia Napa area. The Makronissos Tombs are an archaeological site consisting set of ancient rock-cut tombs. Other building found in Ayia Napa are two municipal museums:the Tornaritis-Pierides Museum of Marine Life,and the Thalassa Ayia Napa Municipal Museum,that displays marine fossils,speciment,and Dioramas. The Ayia Napa Sculpture Park,which is located in the east side of Ayia Napa,was recently completed. In 2013,the City of Ayia Napa was recently completed has inaugurated the Ayia Napa Fame Square,Singers,DJs,Artists,and Politicians are inducted to this square. The WaterWorld Themed WaterPark is an ancient Greek themed waterpark that is one of the biggest themed water parks in Europe,with more than 25 rides and attractions. Opened its doors in 1996.
7)Kato Pafos Archaeological Park is located in Paphos,southwest of Cyprus and is situated in Paphos Harbour. The park is under excavation,is within the Nea Paphos (New Paphos) section of the coastal city. Some of the most significant remains are four Roman villas,the house of Dionysos,the house of Orpheus,the house of Aion and the house of Theseus,all with preserved mosaic floor. Other excavations have uncovered an Agora,Asklipieion,'Limeniotessa' Basilica in ruins,the Odeion,'Saranta Kolones'Fortress,the Hellenistic-Roman Theatre,and a necropolis known as the 'Tombs of the King's.
8) Larnaca Castle is a castle located in the southern coast of Cyprus. It was constructed to defend the the southern coast of Cyprus and the harbor town of Larnaca and was later used as an artillery station,prison,and a museum. Today,the castle is used as a museum,while the courtyard used as an open-air theatre that can accommodate 200 people.
9)Church of Saint Lazarus is a late-9th century church in Larnaca. It belongs to the Church of Cyprus. The church is an elongated building measuring 32.5 m x 14.5 m with a tripartite sanctuary. The tomb of Lazarus of Bethany is located in the church.
10)Famagusta Gate is a gate in the Nicosia walls,the capital city of Cyprus. It is the chief gate of the city: the Porta of Guiliana,or "di sotto" of Fra Stefano Lusignano's Chorograffia,known as Famagusta Gate in modern times. The gate was build by the Venetians in 1567,and was restored by the Ottomans in 1812. In 1980,the Nicosia Municipality restored the gate and re-use it as a cultural centre. Restoration was completed in 1981,and since then the Famagusta Gate has become a busy venue for exhibitions.
Text and Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and Wikipedia Commons.
5)Platres is a mountainous village in Cyprus,the locals called it Pano Platres (Upper Platres),located in the southern slopes Troödos Mountains and is one of the Krasochoria. Platres is the largest Troödos resort,situated about 5 kilometres from Troödos square and 45 kilometres (28 mi) south-east of the capital city of Nicosia. Platres is a very old village that existed during the Lusignan Era (1192-1489 A.D.) and the Venetian Era (1489-1571 A.D.).
6)Ayia Napa is a resort at the far eastern end of the southern coast of Cyprus. Ayia Napa Monastery is the only building with historical interest in the Ayia Napa area. The Makronissos Tombs are an archaeological site consisting set of ancient rock-cut tombs. Other building found in Ayia Napa are two municipal museums:the Tornaritis-Pierides Museum of Marine Life,and the Thalassa Ayia Napa Municipal Museum,that displays marine fossils,speciment,and Dioramas. The Ayia Napa Sculpture Park,which is located in the east side of Ayia Napa,was recently completed. In 2013,the City of Ayia Napa was recently completed has inaugurated the Ayia Napa Fame Square,Singers,DJs,Artists,and Politicians are inducted to this square. The WaterWorld Themed WaterPark is an ancient Greek themed waterpark that is one of the biggest themed water parks in Europe,with more than 25 rides and attractions. Opened its doors in 1996.
7)Kato Pafos Archaeological Park is located in Paphos,southwest of Cyprus and is situated in Paphos Harbour. The park is under excavation,is within the Nea Paphos (New Paphos) section of the coastal city. Some of the most significant remains are four Roman villas,the house of Dionysos,the house of Orpheus,the house of Aion and the house of Theseus,all with preserved mosaic floor. Other excavations have uncovered an Agora,Asklipieion,'Limeniotessa' Basilica in ruins,the Odeion,'Saranta Kolones'Fortress,the Hellenistic-Roman Theatre,and a necropolis known as the 'Tombs of the King's.
8) Larnaca Castle is a castle located in the southern coast of Cyprus. It was constructed to defend the the southern coast of Cyprus and the harbor town of Larnaca and was later used as an artillery station,prison,and a museum. Today,the castle is used as a museum,while the courtyard used as an open-air theatre that can accommodate 200 people.
9)Church of Saint Lazarus is a late-9th century church in Larnaca. It belongs to the Church of Cyprus. The church is an elongated building measuring 32.5 m x 14.5 m with a tripartite sanctuary. The tomb of Lazarus of Bethany is located in the church.
10)Famagusta Gate is a gate in the Nicosia walls,the capital city of Cyprus. It is the chief gate of the city: the Porta of Guiliana,or "di sotto" of Fra Stefano Lusignano's Chorograffia,known as Famagusta Gate in modern times. The gate was build by the Venetians in 1567,and was restored by the Ottomans in 1812. In 1980,the Nicosia Municipality restored the gate and re-use it as a cultural centre. Restoration was completed in 1981,and since then the Famagusta Gate has become a busy venue for exhibitions.
Text and Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and Wikipedia Commons.