Comenius February 2013

Cyprus emerged from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea 10.000 years ago

Neolithic period (8200 - 3800 B.C.)

Choirokoitia is the most important Neolithic settlement in Cyprus, built in the banks of Maronas river

Neolithic period (8200 - 3800 B.C.)

Choirokoitia has been a listed UNESCO world heritage site since 1998

Ancient city - kingdom of Kition (13th Century B.C)

The ancient port of Kition was an important commercial centre in ancient Cyprus

Ancient city - kingdom of Kition (13th Century B.C)

The site is a stop on the Aphrodite Cultural Route

Byzantine Period (330 - 1191 A.C.)

The ancient fort of Larnaca was built as a protection fortress against the Arab & crusaders attacks

Frankish Period (1192 - 1489 A.C.)

The salt lake area of Larnaca has been inhabited since the Neolithic period and was an important fort and commercial center since the Bronze Age

Legend has it that when Saint Lazarus first came to Cyprus cursed the vineyards of the area because nobody would give him water, the area then became the known salt lake of Larnaka

During the Frankish period the port of Larnaka was called “Porto Delles Salines” because of the nearby salt lake

Venetian period (1489 – 1571 A.C.)

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 the different cities of the island

Venetian period (1489 – 1571 A.C.)

In Ammochostos stands the tower of Othello, known from the Shakespeare tragedy

Ottoman period (1571-1878 A.C.)

This beautiful 18th century aqueduct 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

British rule (1878-1960)

On the 6th of January of every year –the Epiphany Day- , the Larnaca Bishop throws the Holy Cross into the sea to ‘baptise’ it

Each year, brave young men dive into the freezing water to find the Holy Cross

British rule (1878-1960)

The “Kataklismos” Flood Fair and “Holy Spirit Day” are celebrated every year in June on the Larnaca seafront

Traditional dances, singing and poetry competitions as well as a market selling traditional products are among the main attractions of the “Kataklismos” Fair

Water damps and desalination plants

Since the ancient times, Cyprus has suffered from long periods of drought

This lack of rainfall is still a serious problem

Thus, dams and desalination plants have been built all over the island to help solve the problem

Even if you’ve been there before, there’s always a new world to discover in Cyprus

and a new experience awaits for you under the sun every day

Cyprus lies at the crossroads of three continents,

where East meets West