The Greek word Kakopetria means the wicked rock pile. A river runs right in the middle of the City Kakopetria and divides it into three sharp edged areas with the cold mountains nearby giving the place the meaning of its name.
Kakopetria’s mature city is located north of Troodos on the Nicosia Road. The majority of this old town is filled with cracked old buildings that may tumble down any time. But you can also see the heavily invested structures to save the historical heritage of this preserved city.
The close by mountains are choked with clouds and when the wind shrills through the valley, sharp as pout needles it certainly creates magic. One of the legacies of Kakopetria are the solid water cisterns extolled with ‘ER 1955’ left by the Britishers.
The old tumble houses of the city have initials and dates written on the doors signifying that these structures are owned by the Turkish Cypriots. One of the mysteries with some of these buildings is that a few are marked as EOKA that was a Pro-Greece terrorist movement. Were the terrorists hiding in those houses or it was the reason for their present crumbled look? I do not know. But it sure gives a thrilling experience to move around the Kakopetria city.
(Image courtesy Leonid Mamchenkov)
Galata is one of the most beautiful valleys put up on both the banks of the river Klarios. Galata crosses through the river and plainly sinks in the greenery.
Galata is situated 60 kms from the city of Nicosia in the Solea basin. Fruits like apricots, all varieties of apples, grapes, cherries, damsons and other fresh vegetables are meant to be the tastiest and are produced in large quantities.
If you want to have some memorable moments with the nature, then the Village Plaza at Galata is just the right place you ought not miss. The shadows of the ancient oak trees, the other trees and the Klarios river will just amaze you with the beauty of nature. The houses in Galata are attractive and beautiful. They have wooden balconies and stairs in the traditional homes of Galata that give them a distinct look. The modern houses also create a center of attention by their unnatural folkloric architecture.
When we talk about the cultural heritage of the Galata, the six Byzantine Churches with rectangular tiles and pyramid roofs are incomparable architecture from 16th century.
Galata also has fountains as one of its attractions- The Fountain of Pogiatzies and the Mastre Philippou Fountain.
(Image courtesy sk12)
One of the prominent cultural and historical places from Cyprus is Limassol. This Mediterranean city is situated on the south coast of Cyprus. The Kuorion theatre and the Lemesos castle are the symbols of its history and culture.
Kuorion is an impressive Greco Roman amphitheatre existing since 12th century B.C. it is one of the ancient places of Limassol that makes a captivating archeological site. Another most popular archeological attraction is the Museum. This museum is placed near the Limossal public gardens and is considered to be a cultural heritage of Cyprus.
Apart from these two magnificent places the other must see options are the Grand Mosque, St. Nicolos of the cats, Fasouri Watermania, Limassol Cultural Park and the Lemasos Medieva Castle.
The perfect way to enjoy the holiday is to enjoy the activities distant from sight seeing. Limassol gives you a varied choice on activities like go karting, clay Shooting, Cycling, Skiing, Ten Pin Bowling and horse Riding.
If you plan to visit Limassol you do not have to wait for the right time for the right climate. Limassol has a good weather all year long. Summer season lasts from May to November and the cold weather from December to February.
(Image courtesy Jorge Lascar)
Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, is located on river Pedieos, in the center of the island. In spite of devastations by the outside forces, the city still has a lot to be a major tourist destination.
You can visit a number of museums in Nicosia where items belonging to the ancient periods have been preserved with care. At Cyprus Museum, you will find fascinating range of antiquities from the Neolithic Age up to the Byzantine times. Icons, oil paintings and lithographs are on display in Byzantine Museum and Art Galleries.
Ayios Ioannis Cathedral is one of the major attractions of Nicosia. Built in 1662, the cathedral has an excellent collection of wall paintings portraying biblical incidents.
amagusta Gate is another place you must not miss during your stay at Nicosia. The old city of Nicosia was encircled by the Venetian walls with three gates through which the city could be entered. Famagusta Gate is one of them. After restoration, the gate and the adjacent area has become Nicosia Municipal Cultural Center where exhibitions and cultural performances are regularly organized.
House of Hadjigeorgakis Kornessios is an important building of the 18th century Nicosia. The restoration of the building is under process and it will be converted into the Ethnographic Museum of Cyprus.
(Image courtesy d u y g u)
Paphos was the ancient capital of Cyprus, and today is the second largest city on the island. Located on the west coast, it is divided into two parts – Old Paphos and New Paphos. It is a spectacular holiday destination and will overwhelm you with its rich history and culture.
Paphos has significance from mythological times. It was here that Aphrodite the goddess of love walked ashore from the sea. It is a curios mixture of Roman villas, byzantine churches and Crusader forts within a few minutes walk from the harbor, which is the city’s highlight. In ancient times, the city was the most prominent location for the worship of Aphrodite. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it enjoys certain privileges though developmental pressures may take a toll as time passes. The Old city especially is quaint and worth a long walk through.
The modern part of Paphos is crowded with hotels, resorts and amusement parks. However, the revival of the city only started in 1974 after there was a revival of tourism undertaken especially in the Kato Paphos or harbor area. The region survives mostly on the tourist trade and fishing, with banana, grape and tobacco plantations to be found further inland.
(Image courtesy apdk)
The Kykkos monastery located 20 kilometers from the town of Pedoulas, in the Troodos Muntains is the most prominent of all the Byzantine churches on the island of Cyprus. Established as The Holy monastery of The Virgin of Kykkos around the end of the 11th century, it has risen to prominence as the richest on the island. It was founded by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.
The monastery lies at an altitude of 1318 meters above sea level, and is home of one of the three surviving icons of the Virgin Mary painted by Apostle Luke. The monastery has been burned down many times and no trace of the original structure remains. The present structure is ornately decorated and covered in silver gilt, enclosed in a tortoiseshell shrine.
The monastery is famous for its museum located within the grounds which houses a large collection of icons, wood carvings, manuscripts and other Cypriot antiquities. The first President of Cyprus Archbishop Makarios III started his career as a monk in the Kykkos monastery in 1926, and was found returning to the place often. At his request, he was buried there in 1977 after his death, about 3 kilometers from the monastery.
(Image courtesy Son of Groucho)
The Troodos Mountains stretch across the western side of Cyprus and are a prominent feature of the island. These mountains house a number of Byzantine monasteries and churches on mountain peaks and in its valleys. As a result, a number of mountain resorts have also come up in the region to showcase this slice of cultural and historical significance. The highest peak in the region is Mount Olympus at 1,952 meters.
There are nine churches and monasteries of prominence in the Troodos range, most of which are included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. Kykko monastery is the most famous and richest of all the monasteries on Cyprus. Among the nine Byzantine churches is the Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis or the Church of Saint Nicholas of the Roof. It stands about 5 kilometers above the village of Kakopetria and once belonged to a monastery.
The church has murals painted all over its walls which date back to the period between the 11th and 17th centuries, making it one of the most interesting on the island. Apart from this church, another church Panaiya Theotokos dating back to the 16th century is also located in the same village.
The Mosque of Umm Haram or Hala Sultan Tekke is a prominent Muslim shrine on the island of Cyprus, located near Larnaca. Historical records state that the lady to whom the shrine is dedicated was wet nurse to the Prophet Muhammad and the wife of Ubada bin al-Samit.
The shrine is considered to be a pilgrimage location, and is revered by Muslims of all followings, irrespective of their sect. Umm Haram is reported to have died during the first Arab raids on Cyprus between 647 and 649 AD. The shrine erected in her memory lies near a salt lake, and the complex surrounding it was erected by subsequent rulers, adding on to previous structures.
The shrine structure was first erected in Ottoman times which consisted of a mosque complex. The shrine was made in 1760 by Sheikh Hassan, reportedly a Sufi dervish who gave the shrine its prominence. Later Ottoman governors in the 18th and 19th centuries added to it, building fences and doors around the complex. The complex contains a square shaped mosque, with a minaret, Umm Haram’s tomb, four other tombs which include two former sheikhs and a cemetery which houses the burial sites of several past Turkish administrators. Opposite the mosque is an octagonal fountain built in 1797.
(Image courtesy Son of Groucho)
Larnaca, a coastal town of Cyprus, is famous for its captivating Salt Lakes. Aliki, Orphani, Soros and Spiro form the second largest group of salt lakes in Cyprus after the lake of Limassol.
This lake is a sanctuary to a wide variety of birds, including the several migratory species, who take refuge during the frigid winter months. Thousands of pink flamingoes gather here to create a brilliant spectacle that mesmerizes the bird watchers. Larnaca Salt Lake has been recognized as Important Bird Area or IBA.
Rain water fills up the lake during the winter while in summer it dries up, leaving behind a layer of salt on the surface. An interesting anecdote narrates that the water of the lake turned salty due to a curse of Lazarus whom a woman refused food and water. But, in reality, the seepage of the water from the sea through the porous rocks makes the water salty.
Apart from the lake, the other great attractions of Larnaca are numerous beaches, museums and a seventeenth century castle. But the Church of St. Lazarus and the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque demand special attention. It is believed that the church stands on the tomb of St. Lazarus while the tomb of Umm Haram, the foster mother of Prophet Mohammad, is in Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque.
(Image courtesy Christian Stock)
Scholars believe that the foundation of Kourion dates back to the Neolithic period. It bears a rich heritage of Hellenic, Roman and Christian culture from the days of antiquity. This culture might have flourished mostly because of the strategic advantages of its physical location.
The most remarkable imprint of its rich culture is reflected in the great Greco-Roman amphitheatre which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. The history of this architectural wonder can be traced back to the eighth century BC. Mostly, the gladiator events were held in this amphitheatre. It underwent several phases of reconstruction right from the days of Emperor Augustus. Today, it is completely restored. Several musical and theatrical events are conducted here.
Apart from the amphitheatre, Kourrion bears an eloquent testimony of it prosperous past with its agora or the market place, the Christian Basilica, the large public bath, as well as, the house of the gladiators, the house of Achilles and the temple of Apollo.
In addition to its historical perspective, Kourion is also popular with the ideal for those who have a spirit for adventure. It offers a great opportunity for paragliding. There are two launching sites here and a favorable weather encourages this throughout the year.
But the primary attraction of Kourion remains the excavation sites and the archeological findings.
(Image courtesy Framer2009)
