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LARNACA
Angeloktisti Church, 11th century
Most travelers first see Cyprus at Larnaka, which is the second port and the site of an international airport. No welcome could be sunnier: at Larnaka, deep blue seas meet bright sand beaches under incomparably brilliant skies.
Palm Tree Promenade Here yachts and sailing vessels from around the globe bob and glint, and along the harbor perimeter is a palm-lined promenade. Between shopping trips to Larnaka’s international-caliber boutiques, inviting cafés offer shady resting spots and sweeping ocean views. The promenade winds its way to a striking finale, the Larnaka Medieval Museum, housed in a 17th-century fort.
Make your way north from the fort, toward the center of the city, and you will come to one of Larnaka’s and the island’s most cherished sites — the church of St. Lazarus. After his resurrection from the dead by Jesus, Lazarus elected to live out his “second” life as Bishop of Cyprus. He is reputedly buried in a crypt under the main altar.
The beautiful interior of the Church of St. Lazarus
Originally called Kition in the days of the Old Testament, Larnaka reached a heyday as a commercial center in the 1700’s, when the consulates were established here.
One of the oldest, continually-inhabited cities in the world, Larnaka abounds with sights. Nearby is an 18th-century aqueduct, and two wonderful museums — the Larnaka District Archaeological Museum and the Pierides Foundation Museum. Both contain exceptional examples of Mediterranean art.
Heading out from Larnaka toward Limassol (next section), stop by the enchanting village of Lefkara. Doubtless you, like Leonardo da Vinci five centuries before you, will be seduced by Lefkara’s exquisite handmade lace...
Larnaka District Archaeological Museum Plateia Kalogreon.
Collection of finds from the Larnaka area dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period.
Mon-Fri: 07:30-14:30; Thurs: 15:00-18:00 (except July and August)Pierides Museum Zenon Kitieos 4.
Remarkable private exhibition of Cypriot antiquities, originally collected by Demetrios Pieridis (1811-1895) and further enriched by members of his family.
Mon-Fri: 09:00-13:00; 15:00-18:00; Sat: 09:00-13:00; Sun: 10:00-13:00Larnaka Medieval Museum — Larnaka Fort Larnaka sea front.
Built in 1625, it was used as a prison in the first years of British rule. It houses the District Medieval Museum. The fort is also used as the Larnaka Municipal Cultural Centre during the summer.
Mon-Fri: 7:30-17:00; Thurs: 7:30-18:00Agios Lazaros Church (St. Lazarus) Plateia Agiou Lazarou.
Saint Lazarus is the patron saint of Larnaka. After his resurrection by Christ, he lived here for another 30 years. He was ordained Bishop of Kition by Saints Barnabas and Mark. The 9th-century church was faithfully restored in the 17th-century, and the iconostasi is an excellent example of baroque woodcarving. Eight days before the Greek Orthodox Easter the icon of Saint Lazarus is taken in procession through the streets of Larnaka.Kition Approximately 500 m. northeast of the Archaeological Museum.
One of the most important ancient city-kingdoms, with architectural remains dating back to the 13th century B.C. In about 1200 B.C. it was rebuilt by the Mycenaean Greeks, and excavations have revealed cyclopean walls made of giant blocks of stone and a complex of five temples.
Mon-Fri: 07:30-14:30; Thurs: 07:30-18:00Kamares Aqueduct Kamares area on the Larnaka-Lemesos road.
A beautiful 18th-century aqueduct which was in use until 1930.Hala Sultan Tekesi 3km west of Larnaka on the road to Kiti, passing the Larnaka Airport.
Built in 1816 over the tomb of Umm Haram, allegedly a relative of Prophet Mohammed. The mosque is an important place of Moslem pilgrimage ranking imimagestely after the shrines of Mecca, Medina, and Al Aqsha in Jerusalem.
Everyday: 07:30-17:00Angeloktisti Church Kiti village, 11 km west of Larnaka.
Angeloktisti means ‘Built by the Angels.’ This 11th-century Byzantine church was erected over the ruins of an Early Christian basilica. The original apse survived together with one of the finest pieces of Byzantine art, a rare 6th-century mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Child between the two archangels, which rivals the Ravenna Mosaics.Royal Chapel Pyrga village, 35 km south of Lefkosia, 32 km from Larnaka.
Built by the Lusignan King Janus in 1421, it contains a wall painting of the king with his wife, Charlotte de Bourbon.
Open any reasonable hour. The key can be obtained from the coffee shop near the chapel.Stavrovouni Monastery 9 km off the Lefkosia-Lemesos Road, 40 km from Larnaka.
Perched on a rocky peak, Stavrovouni means Mountain of the Cross. According to tradition, it was founded in the 4th century by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who left a fragment of the Holy Cross to the monastery. Women are not allowed in the monastery, though men may visit daily from sunrise to sunset, except from 12:00-13:00 (15:00 in summer), on Green Monday and the following day. There is an impressive ceremony and celebrations on 14th September. The Monastery of Agia Varvara (Saint Barbara) at the foot of Stavrovouni Hill, is easily accessible. The monks here have a high reputation for icon painting.Choirokoitia 48 km south of Lefkosia, off the Lefkosia-Lemesos road and 32 km from Larnaka.
Neolithic settlement dated to 7000 B.C. Excavations have brought to light one of the most important Neolithic cultures in the world with a defense wall, circular houses, tombs and many stone utensils.
Mon-Fri: 07:30-17:00; Sat-Sun: 09:00-17:00Kalavasos-Tenta 40 km from Larnaka, 2,5 km off the Lefkosia-Lemesos Road.
Tenta, one of the most important Neolithic settlements in Cyprus, lies near the village of Kalavasos.Lefkara 8 km from Skarinou, off the Lefkosia-Lemesos Road, 40 km from Larnaka.
A picturesque village, famous for its local lace known as ‘Lefkaritika’ and for its silverware. According to tradition, Leonardo da Vinci visited the village. The beautiful House of Patsalos houses the Lace and Silverware Museum of Lefkara. The church of Archangelos Michail in Kato Lefkara is of the single-aisled domed type and has wall paintings of the late 12th century. At Pano Lefkara there is the church of the Holy Cross with beautiful 18th-century and 13th-century artifacts.
Lefkara Folk Art Museum Mon-Sat: 10:00-16:00
A religious fair takes place on the 13th-14th September, in celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.Agios Minas Convent Near Lefkara.
15th-century monastery with a church at the centre of the cloisters. The nuns, besides performing their religious rites, paint icons.
The monastery is closed to visitors between 12:00-15:00 from Sunday to Friday and all day on Saturdays.
Shopping in Cyprus is a fun experience because it mirrors the fact that the island is such a land of wonderful contrasts. You can find goods and products that are produced in the humblest village workshop, but you can also find the highest fashions in the larger, more sophisticated cities. You can buy everything from folk art souvenirs to locally-made cheeses, (including delicious Halloumi) and local wines and spirits.
The historic folk arts of Cyprus are the inspiration for many of the quality gift and souvenir items you can buy on the island. Among them laces named after the village of Lefkara, embroideries from Pafos — called “Pafitika” fabric — and fine pottery, woodwork, leather and metal work from many places; all deservedly famous.
Fabrics are used in a large number of different items and come in styles to fit every taste. Many have a story to tell.
Lefkaritica lace, for example, was made well before the Venetians came to prize it as an expression of quality folk art. But even though its roots are in history, Lefkaritica is a living tradition, with new designs in table cloths, curtains, placemats and dresser sets being added continually.
One way or another, if you are looking for items that can be worn, or carried, or placed on the table, the wall or the floor, Cyprus is the place for you.
The history of Cyprus also finds expression in its metal wear made from locally-mined materials. Well before the Bronze age, Cyprus was known for its copper pots, saucepans and planters, all of which make wonderful gifts for the practical-minded recipient, or can adorn your own kitchen at home.
Then there is gold and silver jewelry, much of it faithful reproductions of ancient designs, and often exceptional examples of Cyprus folk art skills.
Pottery making has also a long tradition on Cyprus. Look for the terra cotta ware with white decorations, copied from museum pieces. Beautifully decorated gourds are also available, and make surprisingly useful planters , vases, carafes and scoops.
Basket-weaving is a specialty of the village of Mesoyi, which produces brightly ribboned items that make perfect wall hangings. Footstools, wood carvings, pine dowry chests, small boxes and shelves, all are available — some decorated with, birds, flowers, rosettes, trees and religious symbols. The Cyprus Handicraft Service, is a government-run organization that specializes in craft work It has stores in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaka, and Pafos.
Shopping in Cyprus is a joy, whether you want that memorable rustic souvenir, want to take advantage of certain local bargains such as contact lenses, frames and other optical items, or whether you take the opportunity to look for that special something, a chic item of clothing from the one of the shops in the big cities, for example.
CHOIROKITIA / AGIOS MINAS / LEFKARA
You can visit the Choirokitia Neolithic settlement dated to the 7000 B.C. Excavations have brought to light one of the most important Neolithic Cultures in the world with a defense wall, circular houses, tombs and many stone utensils. Then you visit Agios Minas convent a 15th century monastery with a church at the centre of the cloister’s. The nuns besides, performing their religious rites, paint icons. Near by is the picturesque village of Lefkara, famous for its local lace known as “Lefkaritika” and for its silverware.
STAVROVOUNI MONASTERY / ROYAL CHAPEL
Stavrovouni means Mountain of the Cross. According to tradition it was founded in the 4th century by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who left a fragment of the Holy Cross to the monastery. Women are not allowed in the monastery, though men may visit daily from sunrise to sunset, except from 12:00-13:00 (15:00 in summer), on Green Monday and the following day. The monks here have a high reputation of icon painting. At the foothill of the monastery at the village of Pyrga is the Royal Chapel which was built by the Lusignan King Janus in 1421, it contains a wall painting of the King with his wife Charlotte de Bourbon.
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