Choirokoitia / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Klaus D. Peter, Wiehl, Germany

Cyprus has long been a popular holiday destination for Northern Europeans looking for that perfect beach holiday, and especially for the British whose country ruled the island up until independence in 1960. Cyprus is now firmly in the European Union with the Euro as its currency. With thousands of years of history Cyprus has some wonderful places to visit including  a number on the UNESCO World Heritage list which are:

1. Choirokoitia. A Neolithic settlement dating from the 7th till the 4th millennium B.C. The remains found at this site are some of the most important finds in the Easter Mediterranean and cast in light on the evolution of humans in this area. The site has only been partially excavated so it is hoped that future finds will help in the research.

2. The painted churches of the Troodos Mountains are a well preserved example of Byzantine architecture. The complex consists of 10 monuments all vividly painted with murals providing an overview of Byzantine painting in Cyprus.

3. Paphos and the area around have been inhabited since Neolithic times and was a centre for the cult Hellenic following of the fertility Goddess Aphrodite. A temple to the Goddess was erected by the Myceans (Ancient Greeks) in the 12th century B.C.  With the Mosaics of Neo Paphos some of the most beautiful in the world. The site is of exceptional worth due also to the many villas, fortresses, and tombs that have been uncovered.

These three sites in Cyprus have been deemed so important as to be put on a list giving “enhanced protection” status by the committee for the protection of cultural sites so that the destruction of the Mostar Bridge in Bosnia Herzegovina , and the shelling of the city of Dubrovnik  never occur again.  By giving the sites enhanced protection it is hoped that signature states to the Hague Convention for the protection of cultural monuments will abide by the conventions terms in the event of armed conflict.

Temple in Paphos / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Fiore Silvestro Barbato

Cyprus is most visited during the Summer months, and is thought of primarily as a beach destination.  A visit to these sites though will allow you to see a little more of what Cyprus has to offer including a drive into the mountains where the air is cooler, this provides a nice break to all those days you will be spending at the beach.

Cyprus is an easy Island to fly to from anywhere in Europe, and just recently low-cost carrier Irish airline Ryanair has announced that it is making Paphos a hub, for the airline, and will be basing aircraft in Cyprus. This will create 600 jobs while offering 80 flights a week to 14 destinations throughout Europe. Yet more proof of Paphos’s appeal as a holiday destination.

We hope that you have found this information useful, and that you will visit these cultural sites on your visit the Beautiful Island of Cyprus.

This is another article from Nathan Griffiths and was written on behalf of e rentals. Visit their site to compare rates and deals available for car rentals worldwide.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Martin Belam

The city of Larnaca is built on the site of an ancient Kition – the old city, whose ruins can be found about a kilometer of Larnaca’s city centre. Its existence is documented also in Larnaca’s archaeological museum featuring a collection of ceramics from ancient Kition, as well as in Neolithic settlement Khirokitia situated near Larnaca.

Khirokitia is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean and is protected by an international organization UNESCO. Area around Larnaca Salt Lake is a home to thousands of flamingos in winter, but dries up in summer and only a layer of salt remains here. Beaches are darker, with fine sand, somewhere with pebbles or small stones. The sea around Larnaca boasts clean turquoise water.

Larnaca was founded between the 11th and 14th century BC. During its existence, has undergone a terrible destruction of the Persians in the Greco-Persian War.

From the top sights in Larnaca I should mention renovated tomb of Neolithic settlements Khirokitia, Roman glassware, Agios Lazaros Church, located in the southern part of the city which was built in the 10th century by Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise. Today the church hosts Byzantine museum.

About 20km west of the city you can visit Greek Orthodox Stavrovouni monastery which is located at the top of Stavrovouni mountain at an altitude of 680 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the coastal landscape and the Troodos mountains.

And if you will go more to the south you can see a very prominent Muslim shrine called Hala Sultan Tekke or the Mosque of Umm Haram. Anyway, once you visit Larnaca with its surroundings you will certainly not be disapointed!

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In summer, the mountains are the only place of the island, where you’ll find rivers full of water, waterfalls and lush green trees. Below the highest peak you will find Troodos mountain resort – a place with shops, hotels and campsites. From the mountain resort, you can take the marked trails in the valley. Most of them lead along the streams, which even in the warmer months such as August or September have a lot of water. Pathways usually lead through the small mountain villages with typical Mediterranean architecture of narrow streets and Orthodox churches.

Trails of the Troodos National Park

• Atlanta Trail Trail – 9 km long. A nice easy walk.
• Caledonia Trail Trail – begins a short distance from the Presidential Cottage. 2 km long, ending in a place called Caledonia Falls. The trail runs along the river Kryos Potamou.
• Artemis trail – to the top of the highest mountains. 7 km long. In addition to the pleasant scent of gigantic pines, educational descriptions of trees with beautiful views of the whole Cyprus.
• The trail from Dendro Psila Pouziaris – begins at the junction of the roads into the forest and Platres Potamos Mesa. Trails and paths can be combined in various ways and you can choose the length and difficulty of the route.
• Persephone Trail – at easiest trail. It provides a view of the village of Pano Amiantos and a view of asbestos mines.

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