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Few places in the world can equal the exciting combination of beautiful scenery, documented

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history, and pleasant climate.

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One will enjoy on a visit to the romantic island of Cyprus.

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The basic traits of the Cypriot's personality, friendliness and hospitality are delightfully

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blended to make each visitor feel welcome.

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Located in the Eastern Mediterranean, the island is a holiday paradise for the people

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of the Levant and Europe.

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With ruins of nine famous Greek kingdoms and imposing medieval monuments, it is a world

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old yet ageless.

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Cyprus is a gateway to the marvels of the West and the charm and mystery of the East.

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To understand and enjoy the people and their country, it is helpful to know something about

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their history, religion and politics.

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Carbon-14 tests prove that Hirokotea dates from 5800 BC and was a Neolithic settlement.

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The inhabitants lived in beehive-shaped dwellings of stone.

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Stone utensils, tools and weapons found in this area can be seen in the excellent museum

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in Nicosia.

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Ngomia Elysia has long been known as the richest discovery of the late Bronze Age in Cyprus.

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In 1450 BC, it was a great commercial center and the origin of the copper industry.

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A bronze god and a Mycenaean amphora are but a few of the many significant artifacts of

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old Elysia.

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For centuries, pilgrims came to this area on the south coast to worship Aphrodite,

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goddess of love and beauty, allegedly born of the foam.

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The nearby royal city of Curium was the center for the cult of Apollo.

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His sanctuary was a religious and political center.

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In Greek mythology, Apollo was god of light and prophecy and patron of the arts.

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During the first century AD, baths and Roman administration buildings were added to this complex.

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Fine mosaic floors were dedicated to famous people like Ctesis, who holds the true Roman foot measurement.

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During the later Christian era, these floors displayed religious symbols.

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Along the north coast are numerous archeological sites such as Vouni Palace.

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Situated hundreds of feet above the blue sea on a spacious promontory, it had 137 rooms

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and belonged to one of the kings of Cyprus in the 5th century BC.

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Excavations brought forth treasures including silver bowls, gold and silver coins and this bronze cow.

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Salamis, founded by Tusor, hero of the Trojan War, was foremost of the classical kingdoms.

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It was the seat of kings like Onosilos and Avogoros who rank among the famous champions of freedom in ancient Greek history.

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Excavations have revealed a gymnasium with marble statues and granite columns believed to have been brought from Upper Egypt.

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Here, too, was an elaborate bathing establishment with hexagonal pools.

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A colossal theater excavated in 1960 measures almost 80 feet in diameter.

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And the great basilica of St. Epiphanios is a silent guard to what may still be hidden beneath the sands of this remarkable area.

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A native of Salamis, Barnabas, was a great

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The Roman governor, Cyprus, returned here in 45 AD with St. Paul on their first missionary journey.

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After traveling across the island to Paphos, the government seat of the Romans, St. Paul was given 40 less one lashes at this pillar.

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He later converted the Roman governor and Cyprus became the first country to have a Christian ruler.

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Many people would not accept the teachings, so early Christians hid from their persecutors in the tombs of ancient kings and also used them as places of worship.

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In 326 AD, Emperor Constantine's mother founded Stavrovuni Monastery and churches were established containing elaborate frescoes and mosaics.

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Walls of these churches became the illustrated gospel for the people of Cyprus, which for the next nine centuries was part of the Greek Byzantine Empire.

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This 10th century gem of rare art, a sinu, is typical of the many Byzantine churches located throughout the island.

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In 470 AD, Emperor Zeno of Constantinople proclaimed the Church of Cyprus independent and conferred on the archbishops three special privileges.

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The right to wear imperial robes.

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The right to bear a Byzantine scepter instead of a pastoral staff.

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And the right to sign their names in red, a color used only by Byzantine emperors on state documents.

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In the 12th century, the Lusignans occupied Cyprus and introduced the feudal system.

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They built Gothic Latin churches and castles as a line of defense across the northern range of mountains.

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Between these mountains and the sea is the picturesque town of Kyrenia, location of the formidable Kyrenia Castle.

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It was originally a Byzantine fortress rebuilt by the Lusignans in 1208 and again by the Venetians early in the 16th century.

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Like most historic castles, its past was glorious and tragic.

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Today, it is a popular site for musical festivals and dramas.

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High on a craggy cliff, 2,000 feet above sea level, is the dreamlike Castle of St. Hilarion, named after a 6th century hermit.

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During its history, it served as a church, a monastery, a fortress, and the summer residence of the Lusignans.

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From these romantic ramparts, you are rewarded with spectacular views of grandeur.

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The quaint village in the distance is the location of the famous Belapais Abbey, considered to be the best Gothic monument in the Levant.

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In this peaceful atmosphere, the reverent monks of the 14th century washed before and after meals in this fountain, formerly a Roman sarcophagus.

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The Greek people were faithful to their monks and erected their own churches, many still in use today.

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These early churches and monasteries brought education to the villagers.

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Kiko Monastery, one of 19 on the island, is the largest religious center of the Greek Orthodox Cypriots.

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Pilgrims from all parts of the world have donated gifts of money and land for this monastery's work.

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In the 15th century, as the power of the Turks grew in Asia, the Venetians built strong defenses around the cities of Nicosia and Famagusta.

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These walls, 27 feet thick, proved the high standards of the mason's art.

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The Tower of Otello, for which Shakespeare supposedly named his famous tragedy, was the Citadel of Famagusta.

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The main entrance displays the winged lion of St. Mark.

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When the Turks besieged the city in 1571, they used every strategy known, but only by starvation could they conquer the heroic garrison.

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Because of this victory, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, where the kings of Cyprus were crowned as the kings of Jerusalem, was converted to a mosque and named for the conquering Turkish general, Lala Mustafa Pasha.

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The principal shrine for the 18% Turkish population of the island is the Teke of Lady Um Huram, near the coastal city of Larnaca.

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A teke is equivalent to a Christian monastery.

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When Turkey became involved in the First World War, Cyprus was annexed to Great Britain.

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In later years, Greek Cypriots, who constitute about 80% of the population, wanted union with Greece.

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On August 16, 1960, Cyprus was proclaimed an independent republic, and Archbishop Makarios III was elected president, and Dr. Fazil Kachouk, vice president.

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By visiting the smaller villages, one becomes more familiar with the islander's way of life.

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Because of the different cultures of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, the villages are rarely integrated.

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However, the people are genuinely interested in visitors and their countries.

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Many speak several languages, and all extend their traditional hospitality.

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Several villages are famous for exquisite handicrafts.

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In Lefkara, women work along narrow streets or on patios, creating pieces of lace that are sold in many parts of the world.

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It is claimed that when Leonardo da Vinci visited the island in 1481,

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he bought Lefkara lace for the altar cloth of the Milan Cathedral.

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Famous hill resorts and enchanting villages are located in the beautiful Trovos Mountains, 6,400 feet above sea level.

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In addition to modern hotels, one may camp inexpensively in the pine-scented cool air, hike along well-maintained trails,

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participate in various sports, enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables in season,

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and marvel at Cedar Valley, where 30,000 of these stately trees grow.

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One-fifth of the land area is covered with forests of pine, golden oak, cypress, and cedar.

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Over 4,000 miles of golden sand beaches and hidden coves are suitable for all aquatic sports.

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Every weekend, the harbor of Kyrenia is alive with activity.

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Several coastal towns have sailing clubs, where visitors are welcomed as temporary members to enjoy the many regattas throughout the year.

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This warm, translucent sea captivates skin divers who may be fortunate in finding amphora or other treasures hidden in the sea.

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Thousands of Northern Europeans spend the winter at the many beach hotels in Famagusta to enjoy the sun and take part in various activities.

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During the Crusades, Famagusta Harbor was the busiest port in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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Today, from the same harbor, ships load potatoes, oranges, caribs, and other produce for export.

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The oranges are the sweetest and juiciest found anywhere and have thick skins that make peeling easy.

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Larnaca, a port on the southeast coast, is one of the many alluring towns offering countless pleasures.

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Nearby, a two-square-mile salt lake dries completely every summer, thus providing employment and an abundant supply of salt for home and industrial use.

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Flamingos migrate to this lake from Europe for the winter, then leave in the spring.

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Larnaca is also the birthplace of Zeno, the Stoic philosopher, and the location of the American Academy.

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This coeducational Christian boarding school was established in 1908, and students come from foreign lands as well as from Cyprus to study college preparatory courses.

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Limassol, the chief industrial and export center of the island, is the location of several wineries.

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Colossi Castle was the home of the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers, who made the famous Comandaria wine.

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This wine is still made and exported today, along with many other varieties.

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The Cypriots grow over 90,000 tons of grapes annually, and some of the vines have also been exported to France and Madeira.

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Several airlines serve this third-largest island in the Mediterranean and land near the capital, Nicosia.

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Comfortable hotels ranging from luxury to fourth-class can be the visitors' headquarters during a memorable visit.

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Lidra Street is the busiest in the capital. Well-stocked shops offer all types of services and commodities.

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The daily life of the people revolves around several picturesque squares within this walled city.

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From the minarets of Salamiya Mosque, the muezzin calls the Muslims to prayer five times each day.

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Rot iron grills on the windows of the modern concrete homes help diffuse the brilliant sunlight.

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Many students are eager to learn the designing and welding of grill work in technical schools.

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Cyprus also has modern gymnasiums, comparable to our high schools and private schools.

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Elementary education is free, but not compulsory. It is difficult to leave this lovely island.

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Its friendly people, rich heritage, and peaceful vistas become memories which can never be forgotten.

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They remain forever to lure one to return to Cyprus, a new republic.