Author: Christos

Kourion Mosaics

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Kourion was an important city-kingdom in antiquity and stands as one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Cyprus, where well-preserved mosaics decorate the floors of its stately villas.

The Baths and the House of Eustolios

Located east of the theatre is the House of Eustolios, which probably dates to the early 5th century AD, and takes its name from an inscription citing Eustolios as the builder. A mosaic with a welcoming inscription graces the antechamber of the entrance, whilst there are mosaic decorations in three of the porticoes and a bath complex to the north.

The house is believed to have been originally built as a residence and was probably opened to the public after the construction of the baths and the addition of the mosaic floors.

House of Gladiators

One of the most notable villas, which dates back to the second half of the 3rd century AD, is the House of Gladiators. It takes its name from a series of mosaics near its main courtyard representing gladiatorial combats.

The central part of the house was an atrium. Entrance was through a stairway on the northeast corner which opened onto another, smaller atrium joined to the central one by a corridor. The southern part of the building was destroyed, probably due to earthquakes in the 4th century AD. To the east of the corridor is a typical bath complex.

House of Achilles

Consisting of an open courtyard with rooms on two sides and a portico, the 4th century AD House of Achilles takes its name from the mosaic of the legendary Greek hero. The residence was most likely used to receive official guests, whilst the house has other mosaic floors.

Archaeological Site of Kourion – Audio Guide

Region: Lemesos (Limassol)
Address: Kourion, 19km west of Lemesos on the road towards Pafos (Paphos)
Contact No: Tel: +357 25 934 250
Operating Hours: September 16 – April 15, daily: 08.30 – 17:00
April 16 – September 15, daily: 08:30 – 19:30
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox).
Entrance Fee: €4,50
For organised groups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards – €8,50, three (3) day entry cards – €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards – €25,00.
Disabled Access: Partly accessible.
Website: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

 

Kourion Archaeological Site

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The archaeological remains of Kourion – which was one of the island’s most important city-kingdoms in antiquity – are of the most impressive on the island, and excavations have unearthed many significant finds, which can be viewed at the site.

The city-kingdom was built on the hills of the area, and overlooked and controlled the fertile valley of the river Kouris. According to archaeological finds, evidence suggests that Kourion was associated with the Greek legend of Argos of Peloponnese, and that  its inhabitants believed they were descendents of Argean immigrants. The once-flourishing kingdom was eventually destroyed in a severe earthquake in 365 AD.

The magnificent Greco-Roman theatre – the site’s centrepiece – was built in the 2nd century BC and extended in the 2nd century AD. The theatre has been restored, and is now used for open-air musical and theatrical performances – mainly during the summer months – making it one of the most popular settings for high-calibre cultural events.

East of the theatre are the remains of a prominent building, the ‘House of Eustolios’, which was originally a private villa that was turned into a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period.

Whilst the villa was modest in size, it was well equipped and richly adorned. Its remains consist of four panels of beautiful, 5th century mosaic floors in the central room, and a bathing complex that is located on a higher level, accessed by steps, north of the building. A roof structure allows visitors to enjoy the  site all year round, and explore its remnants.

The baths themselves originally opened off the central room to the north and east, where there were cold baths (frigidarium). Before each is a shallow foot-bath; while on the west, the remains of the hypocausts – which heated the medium room (tepidarium), and the hot room (caldarium) – can be seen. In the latter, the built-in basins for hot baths have survived, as have the firing chambers, where hot air was carried through the hypocausts, travelling up through specially-cut flues, through the walls, and beneath the terracotta tiles of the floor.

Along with the House of Eustolios, there are further impressive mosaic floors in the ‘House of Achilles’ and the ‘House of the Gladiators’, with the villas named after the scenes depicted on the mosaics.

The remains of the Roman Agora are also visible at the site. The structure dates back to the early 3rd century, with additions made later on, during the Early Christian period. The Roman Agora is built on the remains of an earlier public building, which was in use from the end of the 4th century to the end of Hellenistic period.

The Agora of the city is surrounded by porticos with marble columns on both sides, whilst on its northwest side, is an impressive public bath and a small temple, the Nymphaeum, dedicated to the water nymphs.

An early Christian basilica at the site dates back to the 5th century, with separate baptistery on the external northern side.

The Stadium of Kourion  lies 1km to the west, on the right side of the road towards Pafos.

Archaeological Site of Kourion – Audio Guide

Region: Lemesos (Limassol)
Address: Kourion, 19km west of Lemesos on the road towards Pafos (Paphos)
Contact No: Tel: +357 25 934 250
Operating Hours: September 16 – April 15, daily: 08.30 – 17:00
April 16 – September 15, daily: 08:30 – 19:30
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox).
Entrance Fee: €4,50
For organised groups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards – €8,50, three (3) day entry cards – €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards – €25,00.
Disabled Access: Partly accessible.
Website: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

 

Kolossi Medieval Castle

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Serving as a fine example of military architecture, Kolossi castle was originally built in the 13th century, and rebuilt in its present form in the 15th century.

After the fall of Acre in 1291, it served as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and in the 14th century came under the domain of the Knights Templar. During their stay in Cyprus, the Knights produced and exported a sweet wine, which became known as the ‘vin de Commanderie’. Today, Commandaria wine is one of the island’s traditional wines and one of the oldest named wines in the world, having had the same name for eight centuries.

Next to the castle are the ruins of a 14th century sugar mill.

Kolossi Medieval Castle – Audio Guide 

Region: Lemesos (Limassol)
Address: Kolossi, 14km west of Lemesos on the road towards Pafos (Paphos)
Contact No: Tel: +357 25 934 907
Operating Hours: September 16 – April 15, daily: 08:30 – 17:00
April 16 – September 15, daily: 08:30 – 19:30
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday (Greek Orthodox).
Entrance Fee: €2,50
For organised groups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards – €8,50, three (3) day entry cards – €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards – €25,00.
Website: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

 

Agios Nikolaos ton Gaton Convent – St. Nicholas of the Cats Convent

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Located on Cape Gata, 15km west of Lemesos (Limassol) and south-east of Akrotiri Salt Lake, the monastery of Agios Nikolaos ton Gaton (St. Nicholas of the Cats) is possibly the oldest monastery in Cyprus. The monastery chapel dates back to the 14th century and was abandoned in the 16th century. It was reinstated by Orthodox nuns in 1983.

According to tradition, the monastery was founded by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, who left a piece of wood from the Holy Cross at the site. During that period, Cyprus experienced a severe drought, forcing many people to flee the cape and the area became infested by snakes.

Constantine the Great sent a commander called Kalokeros to Cyprus to release thousands of cats in order to rid the area of the snakes, and thus the cape was saved and came to be known as Cape Gata (Cape Cat).

Whilst the monastery has just a handful of nuns now, there are many cats, which are said to be the descendants of those who rid the area of snakes.

Region: Lemesos
Address: Cape Gata, 15km west of Lemesos.
GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.599653 Lon: 32.987017
Contact No: Tel: +357 25 952 621
Operating Hours*: Daily: 07:00 – 12:00 / 14:00 – 17:00
Operating Period: All year round.
Entrance Fee: Free
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

* The monastery’s church is termporaily closed due to technical issues.  The rest of the monastery is open for visiting.

Tamasos Archaeological Site

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Tamasos was one of the most important city kingdoms of Cyprus, even though the exact date of its establishment and its founder are not known.

Located on the left bank of the river Pediaios, in the area where the villages of Politiko, Pera and Episkopio are found today, the large archaeological site has unearthed the temple of Aphrodite, two majestic royal tombs, as well as several smaller ones.

Part of the city’s fortifications and copper-processing installations can also be seen at the site, whilst excavations have also brought to light copper workshops associated with Aphrodite – Astarte, and six oversized limestone statues dating back to the 6th century BC, when Cyprus was under Egyptian rule. The latter are now exhibited in the Cyprus Archaeological Museum in Lefkosia (Nicosia).

The Cult of Aphrodite flourished at the site, as indicated by the altar made of rough limestone, as well as various votive vessels, incense burners and lamps that have been unearthed.

The sanctuary and the altar are thought to have been built during the Cypro – Archaic II period (600 – 475 BC), destroyed at the beginning of the 5th century, and again in the 4th century BC, only to have been rebuilt during the Hellenistic period. Terracotta and stone statuettes of pigeons (the bird sacred to Aphrodite) have also been uncovered.

Region: Lefkosia
Address: Politiko village, 21km southwest of Lefkosia
Contact No: Tel: +357 22 622 619
Operating Hours: September 16 – April 15, Monday – Friday: 08:30 – 16:00
April 16 – September 15, Monday – Friday: 09:30 – 17:00
Closed on weekends.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: €2,50
For organised groups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards – €8,50, three (3) day entry cards – €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards – €25,00.
Disabled Access: Wheelchair accessible.
Website: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

 

Kalavasos – Tenta Archaeological Site

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The Neolithic Age settlement of Tenta is situated a short distance from Kalavasos village and dates to 7000 BC. It is one of the most significant Neolithic settlements on the island, and is covered by a characteristic cone-shaped roof, which forms a contemporary architectural intervention in the landscape.

According to local tradition, the name of the site goes back to 327 AD when St. Helen – the mother of Constantine the Great – stayed in a tent (‘tenta’) in this location during her visit to the island following the discovery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.
 

Region: Larnaka (Larnaca)
Address: Kalavasos village, 40km from Larnaka, 2,5km off the Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Lemesos (Limassol) motorway.
GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.75254 Lon: 33.30319
Contact No: Tel: +357 24 304 169
Operating Hours: September 16 – April 15, Monday – Friday: 08:30 – 16:00
April 16 – September 15, daily: 09:30 – 17:00
Closed on weekends.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: €2,50
For organised groups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards – €8,50, three (3) day entry cards – €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards – €25,00.
Pensioners €1,25.
Website: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.


Kalavasos-Tenta Archaeological Site – Virtual Reconstruction


 

Royal Chapel of Agia Aikaterini (St. Catherine) – Pyrga village

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Considered to be one of the most interesting surviving structures from the Frankish Period on the island, the Royal Chapel was built in 1421 by the Lusignan King Janus.

The building is a small, single-aisled vaulted structure without an apse. In the past a portico enclosed the chapel on all sides (except for the east side). Up to the end of the 19th century, the ruins of a manor house or a monastery attached to the chapel were visible. Today only traces of these survive.

The chapel was originally entirely painted, but many of the paintings were destroyed during the course of time. On the eastern façade, King Janus is depicted in a wall painting, along with his second wife, Charlotte de Bourbon. The couple are kneeling in front of the Crucifixion cross, whilst another figure kneeling by the feet of Jesus at the scene of the Entombment is believed to be Hugh Lusignan, brother of Janus and Latin Bishop of Nicosia (Lefkosia).

Included in the mural decoration of the chapel is a series of coats-of-arms of the Medieval Kingdom of Cyprus, as well as graffiti carved into the frescoed walls. The graffiti belongs to various pilgrims and travellers, and the dates carved with them fall within the period between the 15th and the 16th centuries.

Region: Larnaka (Larnaca)
Address: Pyrga village, 32km from Larnaka, 35km south of Lefkosia, off the Lefkosia – Lemesos (Limassol) motorway
GPS coordinates: Lat: 34.925522 Lon: 33.431892
Contact No: Tel: +357  96 473060 (Mr. George)
Operating Hours: September 16 – April 15, Monday – Friday: 08:30 – 16:00
April 16 – September 15, Monday – Friday: 09:30 – 17:00
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on weekends and on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: €2,50
For organised groups consisting of more than 10 persons there is a 20% reduction on the entry fees.
The Department of Antiquities can issue special entry cards for all its museums and ancient monuments: One (1) day entry cards – €8,50, three (3) day entry cards – €17,00, seven (7) day entry cards – €25,00.
Website: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

 

Church of Agios Varnavas and Ilarionas (Saints Barnabas and Hilarion)

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Located in the village of Peristerona, on the west bank of Serrahis tributary river, the church dedicated to Saints Barnabas and Hilarion is thought to have been built in the 9th or 10th century. The five-domed building serves as an outstanding example of Cypriot Byzantine architecture, with part of the original church’s north wall still surviving and incorporated in the western part of the wall of the existing church. The oldest wall-painting samples belong to the 15th and 16th centuries.

Next to the church lies the Turkish mosque of Peristerona, and the image of the two side-by-side has appeared on past currency and stamps as a symbol of peaceful coexistence between Greek and Turkish Cypriots prior to the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Region: Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Address: Peristerona village, Lefkosia – Troodos Road
Contact No: Tel: +357 99 620 753
Operating Hours: Enquire at the coffee shop next door.
Operating Period: All year round.
Closed on Public Holidays.
Entrance Fee: Free
Website: www.mcw.gov.cy/da
  Opening and closing times as well as entrance fees, are subject to alterations without notice. Visitors are advised to check before visiting.

 

A Stroll in Neapolis, Nemesos, Limassol… Lemesos

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Announcement on restarting coming soon

The Walking Tour (City Route) of ‘A Stroll in Neapolis, Nemesos, Limassol… Lemesos’ is designed to acquaint visitors with one of Lemesos’ most important features – the seafront area known as ‘Molos’ or ‘Embankment’.

Traditionally a meeting point for the locals (Lemesiani), this area was turned into an open-air Sculpture Park, which exhibits works of art by Cypriot, Greek and international artists.

The tour also takes participants past the old port, and Lemesos Castle, which is now a museum on the Medieval history of Cyprus. It continues through the surrounding area – home to interesting stone-built warehouses, many of which have become restaurants and exhibition halls.

The walk then visits the sites of Great Mosque or Kepir Mosque, the Cathedral of Agia Napa, the Municipal Market and the traditional shopping centre of Agiou Andreou – now a quaint, pedestrian area.

Start Point: Τourist Information Office, Lemesos (Limassol), Old Port, Syntagmatos Square
End Point: Τourist Information Office, Lemesos (Limassol), Old Port, Syntagmatos Square
Days / Times: Announcement on restarting coming soon
Operating Period: All year round.
Not available on Public Holidays.
Estimated Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Booking: Advance booking is required.
Price: Free
Organised by: Lemesos Municipality, Deputy Ministry of Tourism and Cyprus Tourist Guides Association
Information: +357 25362756 please book in advance

Island Hiking

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According to tradition, the best way to really know a place is to walk it. And despite its petite size, the island of Cyprus encapsulates an impressive 10.000 years in its natural environs and diverse landscape that are ripe for exploring and discovering.

With a favourable climate all year round, the great outdoors of the island is easily accessible, and offers a myriad of opportunities to take a journey through nature, history and culture, thanks to the numerous sign­posted paths and nature trails. A total of 52 designated walking trails have been created to highlight the beautiful landscapes and strong Mediterranean character of the island. By walking them, you can see a treasure trove of varied fauna and flora, as well as the remnants of the island’s mining heritage and other interesting monuments.

Whilst some trails are more challenging than others, they are all a delight for the senses ­ especially in the springtime months, when you can experience the sights, sounds and smells of nature in full bloom, and in all its vibrant glory.

 

Flora

There are 1.908 different plant species, subspecies, varieties, forms and hybrids that have been recorded in Cyprus to date. This number includes native and alien plants (exotic plants that are naturalized), but excludes cultivated plants. There are 142 endemic plants in Cyprus (found exclusively in Cyprus), which comprise the most important part of the island’s flora. Cyprus’ forests are mostly natural woodlands of great biodiversity and major ecological significance. Many of them have been classified as National Forest Parks and protected areas for flora and fauna, covering more than 70 percent of the NATURA 2000 network of the island.

The Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia) is the main forest tree found from the coastal area until an altitude of up to 1.200 – 1.400 metres, whilst the Black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana) dominates in the higher reaches of Troodos.In large rivers and the areas surrounding them, the dominant trees are the oriental plane (Platanus orientalis) and the alder (Alnus orientalis), whilst there are other tree species found on the island on a smaller scale, such as the Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) and the Mediterranean Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens).

Bush and shrubland also dominate the landscape. In middle and high elevations, the common bush species of golden oak (Quercus alnifolia) can be spotted on its own, in unmixed forests, or together with pines. In the lowlands you will find maquis shrubland, with dominant species the Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), the (wild) olive tree (Olea europaea), the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) and the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), as well as the Calabrian pine. Whilst walking along Cyprus’ nature trails you will encounter some of the many endemic plants that are in danger of extinction ­ most of which have been included in the Berne Convention’s list of protected plants. Among these are:

  • The skilla ­ a species of plant of the Hyacinthaceae family (Scilla morrisii)
  • Loch’s Glory­of­the­snow (of Τroodos), (Chionodoxa lochiae)
  • Lefkara’s ankle (Astragalus macrocarpus ssp. Lefkarensis)
  • Kotschy’s orchid (Οphrys kotschyi)
  • The Cyprus tulip (Tulipa cypria)

Fauna

Cyprus also has a wonderful variety of habitats suitable for many species of animal due to the variety of landscapes on the island ­ each with their own particular microclimate and topographical features ­ and the variety of terrains and geological substrates, as well as the diversity of forest and agricultural vegetation.

Among the noteworthy mammals found on the island are:

  • The mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion) ­ a wild sheep species, found only in Cyprus. It is also the largest wild mammal that exists on the island.
  • The fox (Vulpes vulpes) ­ Cyprus’ only carnivorous mammal.
  • The hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus dorotheae) ­ an endemic subspecies and a shy and reclusive animal.
  • Bats ­ a remarkable feature of Cypriot fauna, and one of the most peculiar types of mammals, with 19 different species found on the island.

Cyprus’ geographical position makes it one of the most important migratory natural habitats and international birdlife organisations consider it among the most important areas in the world for its biodiversity of birds. It is also a unique location in Europe for endemic birds.

The butterflies of Cyprus, which belong to the order leptidoptera, are also considered of particular interest, with 52 species on the island ­ nine of which are endemic to Cyprus.

 

Sights of Interest

Aside from the natural bounty you will find on the walking trails, some of the routes have been designed to give visitors the chance to discover Cyprus’ cultural heritage through various monuments that include Byzantine churches (UNESCO World Heritage Sites), Venetian bridges, mosques and other interesting sites.

 

Degree of Difficulty

All nature trails are divided into three categories of difficulty:

  • Category 1: Easy trail, with gentle gradient. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
  • Category 2: Average degree of difficulty, suitable for adults with fair­good fitness levels. Sudden changes in gradient (uphill and/or downhill), and/or course along narrow or rough terrain.
  •  Category 3: High degree of difficulty. Route with difficult terrain such as sudden changes in gradient (uphill and/or downhill), course along particularly rough and/or slippery, and/or narrow and/or steep terrain. Suitable for adults with very good­excellent fitness levels. Unsuitable for young children

 

Find out More!

Summarised information for each of the 31 hiking trails can be found in this section of the website, whilst a more detailed brochure – which includes valuable advice and tips on how to hike safely and comfortably, as well as maps ­ is available to download here. For more detailed information for the full 52 designated trails from the Forestry Department, click here.