Sights of Cyprus

Cyprus is among the most attractive sites for various travel companies. This large and mysterious island attracts the attention of tourists for its wonderful nature and many diverse cultural monuments that are known throughout the world.
The island has many interesting and beautiful places: the Historical Museum in Nicosia, the Venetian castle, where King Richard the Lion-Heart was crowned, the ruins of the Phoenician colony Amathus. Here you can see a monument to Athenian General Cimon, who in 450 BC. freed Cyprus from the Persians. His bust adorns the Larnaca waterfront and is considered one of the main attractions of the city.
Nicosia The Archbishop’s Palace in Nicosia is a stately and richly decorated building that shows the guests of the island about the high position of the Cypriot church. In front of the palace you can see the monument to Archbishop Makarios III. Reduced copies of this monument can be seen in many parts of the island. One of the main attractions of Cyprus is Kolossi Castle, which is located ten kilometers from the city of Limassol. It was built in the 13th century and served as the shelter of the Knights Hospitoller. It is believed that just from these places went to the famous Cyprus wine “Commandaria” and just that it is here that wine excursions of Cyprus are being organized. Also, tourists can visit the research center, library, gallery and museum of Byzantine art.
Here is the mosque of Omeriye, in which there were Roman, then Phoenician tombs. It is believed that there is also the burial of the Turkish caliph Omar, whose name is associated with the name of the mosque. From the balconies of this mosque you can observe the magnificent panorama of the city.
Of particular interest among tourists are the Famagust Gate. It was one of the three gates that served as the main entrance to the city. Now here guests of the city are received and entertained with music by dances and various exhibitions.
Kition. This city-state is still mentioned in the 13th century BC. It was restored by the Mycenaean Greeks in 1200 BC. During the excavations, gigantic walls were found here, which were constructed of giant stone blocks. Here was a complex of five temples, one of which is dedicated to the goddess of beauty and fertility, Astarte. In the small village of Kouklia, there was the sanctuary of the goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite. In ancient times, massive orgies were held within the walls of this temple. Over time, the temple fell into disrepair and gradually collapsed, the stones from its walls went to the construction of sugar factories. You can also visit the birthplace of Aphrodite – Petra-to-Romna. According to legend, just at this place Aphrodite emerged from the waves of the sea.
The sanctuary of Apollo in Kourion. This object belongs to the most famous sights of Cyprus. According to the legends of ancient myths, Apollo was the son of the beautiful Leto and the thunderer of Zeus. It is located 2.5 kilometers from the city. The sanctuary of Apollo Hylates at that time was considered one of the main religious centers in Cyprus, where Apollo was worshiped as Hylates, the god of forests. This rigorous architectural complex gives us the opportunity to understand the history of the sanctuaries of Cyprus in the periods from the Bronze Age to the end of paganism on the island.
Fort in Larnaca. This building is located in the castle, which was built by the Franks and was subsequently destroyed. In 1625 it was rebuilt by the Turks. In the early days of British rule, it was used as a prison. Now it is the cultural center of Larnaca, which houses the medieval museum. Also in Larnaca is the oldest settlement in Cyprus – Choyrokoitiya, the creation of which dates back to 5000 BC. In 1988, the ancient part of this settlement was listed by UNESCO on the official list of the World Cultural Heritage.
Pathos. This city was added to the UNESCO list of “Treasures of World Civilization” in 1980. It is known for having found the remains of the ancient city of Nea Paphos in the lower part of the marina of Kato Paphos.
Currently, there is an archaeological park, where you can see the amazingly beautiful mosaics in the villas of Orpheus and Dion, Theseus and Dionysus. Also in Paphos are the catacombs of St. Solomon, the royal tombs and a column of St. Petra, which make a lasting impression with its size and unique architecture.
The medieval fort at Paphos was built to protect the harbor from invasion attacks, which were abundant at that time. Over time, it fell into disrepair, but in the 13th century it was restored anew. In the 16th century after the island was conquered by the Ottomans, it was completely dismantled.