Lemesos (Limassol)

Combining its roles as the second largest city, the island’s main port, the centre of the wine industry and a bustling  holiday resort, Lemesos emerges as a spirited  and cosmopolitan  seaside town.

Lemesos is a lively town largely due to the character of Lemesolians, a fun-loving lot.  No wonder it holds the island’s two  top festivals, the pre-lenten  Carniival with fancy dress  balls, parades and festivities and the Wine Festival in September, a wine extravaganza where wine flows freely for every one to enjoy, courtesy of the local wineries.

Lemesos emerged out of two of the most important ancient city-kingdoms, Amathous, to the east of the town, and Kourion to the west, both of which are being extensively excavated.  The magnificent  setting  of the ancient Kourion  Theatre is used for summer concerts and  theatrical productions.

In the Middle Ages, Lemesos hosted the marriage of Richard the Lionheart   with Berengaria of Navarre whom he crowned Queen of England. Thereafter  the  Crusaders made their  headquarters at  the Square Keep west of the city, known as Kolossi Mediaeval Castle,  where  they fostered the making of  wines,  particularly  the sweet  desert wine “Commandaria”  - the oldest named wine in the world.

Today Lemesos is a resort with a ten mile coastline, a busy shopping center, countless tavernas and restaurants and a night life to suit tastes ranging from modest to sophisticated.

A visit to the places of interest would   include Lemesos Castle, which houses The Cyprus Mediaeval Museum, the District Archaelogical  Museum, the Folk Art Museum, the Lemesos Municipal Art Galery, and the Municipal Gardens.

Also in the vicinity are the placid Germasogeia dam, frequented by Keen anglers, and the Salt Lake at Akrotiri, home of thousands of migrating birds   in winter, and a stopover point for millions more as they wend their way to different climes in spring and autumn.  In  nearby  foothills, delightful villages continue the gentle pace of rural life. 

Larnaka

Larnaka seafront is vaguely reminiscent of the Continental Promenade, with its line of mature palms and its languid air of sleepy charm.  Cafes and  tavernas line the area near the sea, making this a popular  spot with visitors and Cypriots alike during the long summer.  Nearby is the Marina, frequented by yachtsmen from all over the world. 

At the western end of the promenade is the town’s 17th century fort, which now houses the Larnaka  Mediaeval   Museum.

As the home of the island’s main international airport, Larnaka  offers many  visitors their first taste of Cyprus.  One of the first sights is the beautiful  salt lake,  home in the  cooler months  to colonies of graceful flamingos and other migratory birds.  Beside the lake, in a tranquil setting  crowned by  lush palms, is the Hala Sultan  Tekesi, built to the memory of Prophet Mohammed’s aunt.

Larnaka’s links with Christianity go back to the very beginning, for  the  town’s  first bishop was none  other than Agios Lazaros, who chose to live his “second life” there  after Jesus  had  raised him from dead.  A church built  in his name exists on the spot  where  his remains were said to be  found.

Larnaka’s District Archaeological Museum and the Pierides Foundation Museum exhibit particularly interesting  antiquities. The town’s marble bust  of Zeno,  after the philosopher who founded the famous Stoic School, bears testimony to another  famous son. Also of interest is the ancient city- kingdom of Kition established by Mycenean Greeks in the 13th century B.C., the Church of Agia Faneromeni, built over a rock cave dating from the 8th century  B.C. and the 18th century aqueduct on the outskirts  of   town. 

Stavrovouni, one of oldest and most dramatically sited monasteries in Cyprus, founded by Saint Helena, is within reach of Larnaka.   Pearched atop a mountain it has  stunning views in all directions.  In accordance with the strict monastic  tradition  observed by this particular order, women are  not allowed  inside Stavrovouni Monastery.

Again within striking distance of Larnaka, is the Church of Panagia Angeloktisti which houses the 6th century lifesize Byzantine mosaic of the Virgin Mary – one  of the  finest in the world from this  period.

A  visit to the village of Lefkara, famed for the lace-like embroidery  known as “Lefkaritika” that was said to captivate Leonardo da Vinci, is also a treat.   Further south, is the remarkable site of Choirokoitia, included in the Unesco World Heritage List, where excavations have yielded one of the most important Neolithic settlements found anywhere in the world.