SIGHTS of CYPRUS
• NICOSIA • LIMASSOL • TROODOS • LARNAKA • PAPHOS • AGIA NAPA
Byzantine Museum and Art Galleries
The Byzantine Museum in Lefkosia within the walls contains the richest and most representative collection of Byzantine art on the island. About 230 icons dating from the 9th to the 19th centuries, as well as other typical examples of the Byzantine art of Cyprus, such as sacred vessels, vestments and books, are on display.
The collection includes many icons dating from the 12th century when iconography was at its height.
Among the star attractions are the famous 6th century mosaics torn from the church of Kanakaria in the occupied area, sold abroad and later repatriated
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
Open all the year round
Monday-Friday: 09.00-16.30
Saturday: 09.00-13.00 |
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Cost |
1, 71 euro (adult), 0, 34 (student) |
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Address
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Plateia Archiepiskopou Kyprianou,
(within the Archbishopric) |
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Town |
Nicosia |
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Website |
www.makariosfoundation.org.cy/byzantino.html |
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Cyprus Archaeological Museum
Situated in Nicosia, this is the main Archaeological Museum of Cyprus and traces the long history of civilization on the island from prehistoric times to the early Christian period.
Extensive excavations throughout the island have enriched the collections of the museum considerably and brought Cypriot archaeology to the fore front of international archaeological research.
Here the cultural heritage of Cyprus, such as pottery, jewelry, sculpture and coins from the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age, Iron Age and the Greco-Roman period, is cherished and displayed for everyone to enjoy. Star exhibits include the statue of Aphrodite of Soloi, a gold jewelry collection and relics from the royal tombs of Salamis.The museum is a stop on the Aphrodite Cultural route.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
Open all the year round
Monday: closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 08.00-16.00
Thursday: 08.00-17.00
Saturday: 09.00-16.00
Sunday: 10.00-13.00 |
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Cost |
3, 42 euro |
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Address |
Mouseiou 1, Lefkosia |
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Town |
Nicosia |
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Limassol Archaeological Museum
Visitors to Limassol's archaeological museum can follow the intruiging development of civilisation on the island from the ninth millennium to the end of antiquity (late Roman period).
Amoung the many artefacts on display are pieces from the preneolithic site of Akrotiri, or Aetokremnos, where evidence of the earliest human activity on the island has been found.
Bronze Age Mycenean vases and contemporary artefacts from the necropolis of a monumental building at Alassa are also exhibited along with Phoenician and Aegean pottery, jewellery, tools, coins, clay idols, stone statuettes and a huge sculpture of the Egyptian fertility God Bes.
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Details |
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Opening hours |
Open all the year round
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat: 08.00-15.00
Thursday: 08.00-17.00
Monday, Sunday: closed |
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Cost |
2 euros |
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Address
Tel |
Anastasi Sioukri & Vyronos Str 5, Limassol 3405, Cyprus
+ 357 25 305157 |
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Directions |
Situated near the Municipal Gardens. |
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Town
Website |
Limassol
www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/museum/index-eng.html |
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Kourion Archaeological Site
One of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island, Kourion was an important city kingdom where excavations continue to reveal impressive new treasures. Noted particularly for its magnificent Greco - Roman Theatre, Kourion is also proud home to stately villas with exquisite mosaic floors and an early Christian Basilica among other treasures.
Originally built in the 2nd century B.C., Kourion’s awe - inspiring theatre is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances. The House of Eustolios, consisting of a complex of baths and a number of rooms with superb 5th century A.D. mosaic floors, was once a private Roman villa before it became a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period. The Early Christian Basilica dates to the 5th century and was probably the Cathedral of Kourion, with a baptistery attached to the north face. The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators also have beautiful mosaic floors. The Nymphaeum, dedicated to the water nymphs, is an elegant Roman structure.
The 2nd century A.D. stadium is located outside the main Kourion site, about 1kilometre to the west on the right hand side of the road to Pafos. Also impressive is the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, situated about 2,5 kilometres west of the ancient city.
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Amathus Archaeological Site
One of the most important city - kingdoms of ancient Cyprus, Amathous is situated about 10 kilometres east of Lemesos. According to mythology it was founded by King Kinyras and was also where Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be cared for after his battle with the Minotaur. It is difficult to establish exactly when the city was founded, but human presence dating back to around 1100 B.C has been traced in the Acropolis area. Over the centuries, Amathous fell victim to many conquerors (Persians, Ptolemies, Romans and Byzantines) until it was finally destroyed and abandoned in the 7th century A.D. as a result of the Arab invasions.
By the Archaic period, the city was fortified with strong walls that were further reinforced in the Hellenistic period. The southeast walls suffered serious damage from earthquakes in the 4th century. The sections defending the Acropolis were rebuilt under Justinian (527 - 565 A.D.). Later, the southeast walls were rebuilt while the north and east sections were restored in the face of the Arab threat in the 7th century.
The city of Amathous developed on two levels – the lower and the upper city (Acropolis). Excavations have brought to light the Agora complex with the stoae (covered walks), baths and other adjacent buildings, four basilicas, the sanctuary of Aphrodite, an aqueduct and the harbour, which nowadays lies under the sea level. Outside the walls lie the east and west necropolis.
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Kolossi Medieval Castle
Kolossi Castle is situated in the village of Kolossi, 11 kilometres west of Lemesos. It was built in the 15th century on the ruins of a former fortress dated to the beginning of the 13th century. Some of these ruins can still be seen east of the present castle. The castle belonged to the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem and was the seat of the most important of the Commanderies that belonged to them. For a few years in the 14th century, it came under the control of the Knights Templar.
The castle itself is a 21 metres high square tower with three floors. The ground floor is divided into three parts and was probably used as storeroom. In the middle of the east side is a stone stairway leading first to the second floor, where the kitchen was probably located, and then to the third floor. The third floor was divided into two big halls and was the ‘house’ of the Commander. To the south of the castle there is a courtyard enclosed by walls and the ruins of an auxiliary building, probably a stable or a storehouse. On the southwest corner of that building there was an entrance, protected by a circular tower. Sugarcane refinery installations have been located to the east of the castle.
The area also produced and exported the traditional sweet wine of Cyprus, which became known as the “Vin de Commanderie” or Commandaria. Commandaria is now one of the oldest named wines in the world, having had the same name for eight centuries.
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Panagia Asinou Church in the Troodos Mountains
Daily
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Asinou Church is a tiny, humble looking church the size of a small cottage in the foothills of the Troödos Mountains. Its decorations are the finest of the many churches in the area and every year, on rare occasions, it is possible to attend a service there.
Inside, 12th-16th century Byzantine frescoes tell the stories (through small cartoon pictures) of Lazarus' Raising from the Dead. In the middle recess, Christ's life from the Nativity to the Resurrection is depicted. In the apse, an imploring 12th century Virgin raises her hands in benediction, flanked by two archangels.
Perhaps the most memorable of the panels however can be found in the narthex (dating from the 14th century), where St George on his horse wearing a halo appears beneath a naturalistic Virgin and Child.
Arrive early if you want to catch a Feast Day service in the tiny church. They take place at 7am in the morning and last for two hours. The special days are the 2 February, 25 March, the Tuesday after Easter (when there is also a service at 4pm on the afternoon of the Monday before), 8 September and 21 November.
Asinou is well worth a visit even if you can't make it for the service. Call the priest, who can open the doors for you if you arrive and it's shut. You should give him a tip if you can.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
Daily:
09.30-17.00 May-August
09.30-16.30 Sept-October
09.30-16.00 November-April |
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Cost |
Free |
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Village |
Nikitari |
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Tel |
+ 357 99 830329 |
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Directions |
You'll need a car to reach Asinou, which is 5km southwest of Nikitari village, off the main Lefkosia-Troodos road (via Vizakia-Nikitari), around 20 km northeast of Kakopetria village |
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Kykkos Monastery
The Monastery of Kykkos, the richest and most lavish of the monasteries of Cyprus, is found in the region of Marathasa. It is situated on a mountain peak, at an altitude of 1318 metres northwest of Troodos. Dedicated to Panagia, it possesses one of three icons attributed to Agios Loukas the Evangelist. The icon, covered in silver gilt, is in a shrine made of tortoise shell and mother - of - pearl that stands in front of the iconostasis.
The monastery was founded sometime between the end of the 11th century and the beginning of the12th century, during the reign of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-1118 AD). Unfortunately the monastery burned down several times and nothing remains of the original structure.Blessed with divine grace, Cypriot hermit Isaiah miraculously cured the emperor's daughter of an incurable illness. As a reward, he asked for the icon of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) kept at the imperial palace at Constantinople. Though grieved at the prospect of losing his precious treasure, the emperor sent it to Cyprus with fitting honours together with funds to pay for the construction of a monastery where the sacred relic would be kept. At the hermit's request, the emperor’s representative in Cyprus Manuel Vutomites also endowed the monastery with three villages. As the gift was later confirmed by imperial charter, the monastery is considered to have been established by imperial decree.
The first President of the Republic of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios III, served here as a novice. At his own wish he was buried on the summit of Throni, 3 kilometres west of the monastery, and not far from his native village of Panayia. The monastery produces zivania and a variety of other alcoholic drinks and holds religious fairs on September 8th (Birth of the Virgin) and August 15th (Dormition of the Virgin).
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Church of St Lazarus
The Church of St Lazarus (Agios Lazaros Church) is Larnaca's greatest religious monument. The 9th-century church was restored in the 17th century and boasts a particularly fine Baroque iconostasis, which in Greek Orthodox churches is the screen seperating the congregation from the altar.
When the Ottomans conquered Cyprus they converted many of the churches into mosques. The Christian citizens of Larnaca paid a high price to keep the Church of St Lazarus intact in 1589.
Saint Lazarus is the patron saint of Larnaca and therefore dear to the people because it is believed he came here to become Bishop of Kition (Larnaca's ancient name) after Christ resurrected him from the dead. He was apparently ordained by Saints Barnabas and Paul.
The interior of the church is very plain - due to a fire which ravaged its interior in 1970. It has a peaceful atmosphere and is an excellent place to escape the heat of the day for some quiet contemplation. The tomb of Saint Lazarus is under the sanctuary.
Next to the church is the small Byzantine mus
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Details |
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Opening Hours of the Church |
April-august :daily 08.00-12.30, 14.00-18.30 Sep-march: daily 08.00-12.30, 14.00-17.30
Be quiet and respectful during services |
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Cost |
Free |
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Address
Tel |
Plateia Agiou Lazarou, Larnaca, Cyprus
+ 357 24 652498 |
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Town |
Larnaca |
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Byzantine Museum opening hours |
Open all the year round:
Mon-Sat: 08.30-12.30
Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri: 15.00-17.30
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons closed |
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Cost |
between 1 and 2 euro |
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Directions |
The church is located between the fort and the market off Agia Faneromenis. |
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Hala Sultan Tekkesi Mosque
The Hala Sultan Tekke is an Islamic shrine, unusual in that it is dedicated to a woman, built between 1760 and 1796. Overlooking the Salt Lake, where flamingoes stop en route from Africa in spring and autumn, it is a peaceful, beautiful spot for a mosque.
The woman in question was Umm Haram, aunt of an associate of the Prophet Mohammed, who was thrown from her mule and died here in 649 during the first Arab invasion of Cyprus. A place of pilgrimage for Muslims in Cyprus and all over the Middle East, it did not actually become a site of veneration until the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in 1571. Archaeologists think that in ancient times the site was originally a temple to Artemis, founded where the important commodity of salt was manufactured.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
Daily:
June-August: 08.00-19.30
April, May, September, October: 08.00-18.00
November-March: 08.00-17.00 |
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Cost |
Free |
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Directions |
Located on the outskirts of Larnaca, 3km from the town centre on the road to Kiti, past Larnaca airport. |
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Town |
Larnaca |
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Larnaca Fort ( Larnaca Medieval Museum)
Larnaca Fort marks the end of the seafront promenade and houses a simple exhibition of historical objects including cannons, suits of armour, lace from nearby Lefkara and other assorted items.
Built in 1625 under Ottoman rule, it was later used as a prison when the British took over Cyprus in 1878. In summer it is sometimes the venue for concerts and other special events organized by the Municipal Cultural Center.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
Tue, Wed, Fri: 08.00-15.00
Thursday: 08.00-17.00
Saturday: 09.00-15.00
Monday, Sunday: closed |
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Cost |
2 euros |
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Directions
Tel |
Located at the end of the promenade in the centre of Larnaca, Plateia (Square) Kalograion
+ 357 24 304169 |
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Town |
Larnaca |
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The Pierides Foundation Archaeological Museum
The Pierides Museum is a collection of precious folkloric and archaeological artefacts which has been assembled over five generations of the Pierides family. Begun by the great scholar, Demetrios Pierides (1811-1895) and continued by his sons, their wives and their children, it is a veritable treasure chest of 9000 years of Cypriot history.
The key features of the collection include rare ceramics from the prehistoric period (7000 BC) and jars, cups, bowls and plates from the Myceanean (1300 BC), Hellenistic (350 BC), Roman (100 AD), Byzantine (400 AD), Crusader (1100AD), Frankish (1200), Venetian (1500BC) and Turkish (1700 AD) periods.
In addition to beautiful ceramics, there is a precious collection of antique maps of the island and a wide-ranging collection of folkloric items including embroideries, woven clothes, wooden carved furniture, jewellery, copper utensils and traditional costumes from the 18th-20th centuries. For gun lovers, the rifles and guns dating from the Turkish period will also be of interest.
Finally, the museum also holds the world's most important collection of Cypriot Medieval (Byzantine) glazed ceramic vessels dating from the 13th-16th centuries and a rare collection of 660 Roman glassware items, the most complete of its kind in Europe.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
Open all the year round
Monday-Thursday: 09.00-16.00
Friday-Saturday: 09.00-13.00 |
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Cost |
2 euros |
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Address
Tel |
Zinonos Kitieos 4, Larnaca, Cyprus
+ 357 24 814555 |
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Directions
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Located on the main shopping street, just behind the seafront |
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Town
Website |
Larnaca
www.pieridesfoundation.com.cy/main/default.aspx |
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Ayia Kyriaki Church & "St Paul's Pillar"
Cyprus was the first country to adopt Christianity thanks to the efforts of St Paul and St Barnabus in 45AD, who converted the Roman consul to the new faith. For this reason, it boasts the ruins of one of the oldest Christian churches (basilicas) in the world - Ayia Kyriaki, or Khrysopolitissa as it is also known.
There are two churches on this site, just off the pedestrianised street of Stassandhrou. One was built by the Byzantines in the late 11th century and is still standing. Given over during the 1990s by the Orthodox bishop to the ex-pat community, it is an extraordinary piece of England in the middle of Cyprus, feeling just like a parish church.
The other church survives only as foundations of a much earlier edifice, thought to have been constructed in the 4th century. It had seven aisles and an archbishop's palace which were both destroyed by Arabic raiders some time after its construction. The foundations enclose some 4th-century mosaics of geometric patterns and some much later columns, one of which is thought to be that on which St Paul was flogged.
The presence of the Arabs is evident from the domed Ottoman baths (no longer used) just to the north of the foundations, as well as a tiny mosque converted from another Byzantine church which was in use until 1975.
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Details |
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Cost |
Free |
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Directions |
Located in Kato Paphos, just off Stassandhrou. |
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Town |
Paphos |
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Ethnographical Museum
Daily
The Ethnographical Museum is a private collection dedicated to life on Cyprus since Neolithic times. There is a comprehensive collection of rural life on the ground floor which features antiques, basketry, trays, sieves and irons.
One of the rooms is decked out as a bedchamber, with traditional Lefkara lace and clothing, while another features a collection of 19th-century pottery.
In the sunken garden there is a wood-fired oven used to bake bread for the village before the advent of electrical appliances, which stands next to a genuine 3rd-century tomb. Upstairs there are cases of jewellery, fossils, coins and pottery.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
Monday-Saturday: 09.30-17.00
Sunday: 10.00-13.00 |
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Cost |
between 1 and 2 euros |
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Address |
Exo Vrisis 1, Paphos, Cyprus |
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Tel |
+ 357 26 932010 |
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Description |
The museum occupied two floors of the Eliades family mansion. |
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Directions |
Located in Ktima, near the Moussalas Acropolis and the Byzantine Museum, just south of Central Park. |
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Town |
Paphos |
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Kato Paphos Archaeological Park: Roman Mosaics
These sumptuous Roman mosaics are some of the finest to have been discovered in the ancient world. They decorated the homes of the imperial Roman commanders who governed Cyprus 2000 years ago and tell the stories of key mythological episodes including Dionysus' gift of wine to man.
The Roman mosaics were stumbled upon by a ploughing farmer back in 1961. Following the extensive excavations by Polish and Cypriot archaeologists, three separate Roman villas have now been unearthed and are open to the public. They are the highlight of any visit to Pafos.
Mosaics in the House of Dionysus show the God of wine, Dionysus, giving the secret of viticulture to Ikarios, the King of Athens. This is one of the earliest depictions of drunks ever found and the two peasants lie prostate beside an empty amphora of wine in the final panel.
Though almost without exception flawlessly executed, the mosaic artists did make mistakes occasionally and spotting them is a good game. Have a look at the mosaic depicting Zeus metamorphosed as an eagle abducting the Phyrgian youth, Ganymede. The artist made the frame containing the picture too small and Zeus's right wing is truncated.
The second villa to see is the House of Aion where a mosaic of the birth of Dionysus from the 5th century reveals how closely the early Christian artists drew on classical scenes to inspire their work. The personification of the Gods, Theogonia, is even wearing a halo!
The final villa excavated, the House of Theseus, must have been an enormous complex and well demonstrates the wealth and splendour of the Roman occupation of the Cypriot capital which formed such a crucial crossroads between the East and the Western dominions. Don't miss the particularly fine rendering of Theseus' fight with the Minotaur in the Labyrinth.
Another highlight of a visit to the Archaeological Park is the abundance of wild flowers growing here during the winter and spring months. Look out for wild artichoke plants, anemones, mustard seed flowers and even some of Cyprus' 55 species of orchid.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
Open daily:
November-March: 08.00-17.00
June-August: 09.00-19.30
April, May, September, October: 08.00-18.00 |
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Cost |
4 euros |
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Disabled access |
There are ramps over the mosaics and fairly even paths |
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Address |
Sofias Vembou |
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Directions
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The Archaeological Park is situated just next door to the old port in Kato Paphos |
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Town |
Paphos |
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Tombs of the Kings-Kato Pafos
On UNESCO's World Heritage list, these tombs date back to 300BC when the Ancient Greeks ruled Cyprus with Paphos as their capital. The tombs are still on the outskirts of the town as they were nearly two and a half millenia ago but are now open to the curious tourist to poke about in. No bones, urns or other funerary deposits remain, long since looted by antique hunters.
The site is divided up into eight different tomb complexes, some of them just holes called loculi hacked out of the soft, sandstone strata; others are far more elaborate involving flights of steps down into the roomed tombs. Numbers three, four and eight are the most elaborate with Doric columns forming a peristyle around a central courtyard. Peeling off, like rooms in a house, are adult-sized and child-sized spaces. As they lived in life, so they lay in death.
As you walk around, keep an eye out for the Cypriot plant life which blooms in winter and spring around the tombs. Unploughed, the ground harbors many flowers including cascades of cyclamen during January, February and March.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
Daily:
08.00-17.00 November-March
08.00-18.00 April-May and September-October
08.00-19.30 June-August |
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Cost |
2 euros |
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Disabled access |
The paths are relatively flat but access into the larger tombs requires walking down flights of step |
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Address |
Leoforos Tafon ton Vasileon, |
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Town |
Paphos |
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Directions
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Located 2km from the old harbor on the road heading out to Coral Bay Beach, the Tombs of the Kings are off on your left and are well signposted |
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Famagusta Viewpoint
A visit to Famagusta Viewpoint is a must if you have any curiosity at all about the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. On the first floor of the viewpoint there are telescopes and binoculars which permit the visitor to glimpse the ghost town of Famagusta, once a town of 60,000 people, which now lies empty.
Where the major port of Cyprus once bustled, cows walk nonchalantly across grass-covered tarmac roads, the Romanesque cathedral built by the Lusignan kings in the 13th century stands silent and thousands of hotel rooms in what was once Cyprus' largest international resort sit unused and decaying.
It is an eerie experience to view all this through a pair of binoculars, but a tragedy for those whose families were left behind in the Turkish invasion and who subsequently went missing, as well as for all the residents of Famagusta who have lost their homes, all their possessions and their family records, photos etc.
The owners of the Viewpoint, Antonis N. Katsandonis and his wife Agnes, are extremely helpful and will explain more about the political situation if you ask them. They also bake delicious homemade cakes.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
9am - 6.30pm |
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Cost |
Free |
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Town |
Deryneia |
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Tel |
+357 (0) 3 730433 |
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Directions |
The Viewpoint is situated next door to the Attila line. It is signposted 'the original viewpoint' as you drive/cycle/walk from Ayia Napa. |
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Town |
Deryneia |
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Agia Napa Monastery
This charming medieval monastery dedicated to ''Our Lady of the Forests'' stands in the middle of the village of Agia Napa surrounded by a high wall. Both the village and the monastery take their name from the ancient Greek word for wooded valley "Napa"– a reference to the morphology of the area in the past. Built like a medieval castle around 1500 AD, Agia Napa Monastery is the best known landmark of the village as well of the surrounding area. The monastery is partly built underground and cut into the rock.
The ancient sycamore tree in front of the south gate is believed to be over 600 years old.
The monastery was restored in 1950 and in1978 became an Ecumenical Conference Centre serving churches in Cyprus and the Middle East. A new church built in1994 south west of the monastery is also dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
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Details |
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Opening Hours |
All year round
09.30-15.00 Winter
09.30-21.00 Summer |
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Cost |
Free entrance |
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Region |
Ammochostos |
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Address |
Agia Napa, Ammochostos |
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Town
Email |
Agia Napa
ancc@spidernet.com.cy |
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Macronissos Tombs
The site consists of 19 rock - cut tombs, a small sanctuary and an ancient quarry situated west of Agia Napa in the Macronissos area. The targets of illegal digging, the tombs were badly looted over the years. Archaeologists believe the dead were placed in clay sarcophagi that were originally covered with three flat tiles. The tombs had a rectangular entrance originally closed with one or two slabs. Most of the chambers are almost identical with a rectangular trench in the middle and three benches at the side. The tombs were used during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Pyres were found on the surface, characteristic of Greek burial customs. The sanctuary is a simple rectangular enclosure, made of large irregular blocks.
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Details |
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Region |
Ammochostos |
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Address |
Agia Napa, Ammochostos |
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Town |
Agia Napa |
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