Few places in the world can equal the exciting combination of beautiful scenery, documented history, and pleasant climate.
One will enjoy on a visit to the romantic island of Cyprus.
The basic traits of the Cypriot's personality, friendliness and hospitality are delightfully blended to make each visitor feel welcome.
Located in the Eastern Mediterranean, the island is a holiday paradise for the people of the Levant and Europe.
With ruins of nine famous Greek kingdoms and imposing medieval monuments, it is a world old yet ageless.
Cyprus is a gateway to the marvels of the West and the charm and mystery of the East.
To understand and enjoy the people and their country, it is helpful to know something about their history, religion and politics.
Carbon -14 tests prove that Hirokotea dates from 5800 BC and was a Neolithic settlement.
The inhabitants lived in beehive -shaped dwellings of stone.
Stone utensils, tools and weapons found in this area can be seen in the excellent museum in Nicosia.
Ngomia Elysia has long been known as the richest discovery of the late Bronze Age in Cyprus.
In 1450 BC, it was a great commercial center and the origin of the copper industry.
A bronze god and a Mycenaean amphora are but a few of the many significant artifacts of old Elysia.
For centuries, pilgrims came to this area on the south coast to worship Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, allegedly born of the foam.
The nearby royal city of Curium was the center for the cult of Apollo.
His sanctuary was a religious and political center.
In Greek mythology, Apollo was god of light and prophecy and patron of the arts.
During the first century AD, baths and Roman administration buildings were added to this complex.
Fine mosaic floors were dedicated to famous people like Ctesis, who holds the true Roman foot measurement.
During the later Christian era, these floors displayed religious symbols.
Along the north coast are numerous archeological sites such as Vouni Palace.
Situated hundreds of feet above the blue sea on a spacious promontory, it had 137 rooms and belonged to one of the kings of Cyprus in the 5th century BC.
Excavations brought forth treasures including silver bowls, gold and silver coins and this bronze cow.
Salamis, founded by Tusor, hero of the Trojan War, was foremost of the classical kingdoms.
It was the seat of kings like Onosilos and Avogoros who rank among the famous champions of freedom in ancient Greek history.
Excavations have revealed a gymnasium with marble statues and granite columns believed to have been brought from Upper Egypt.
Here, too, was an elaborate bathing establishment with hexagonal pools.
A colossal theater excavated in 1960 measures almost 80 feet in diameter.
And the great basilica of St.
Epiphanios is a silent guard to what may still be hidden beneath the sands of this remarkable area.
A native of Salamis, Barnabas, was a great The Roman governor, Cyprus, returned here in 45 AD with St.
Paul on their first missionary journey.
After traveling across the island to Paphos, the government seat of the Romans, St.
Paul was given 40 less one lashes at this pillar.
He later converted the Roman governor and Cyprus became the first country to have a Christian ruler.
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.
In 326 AD, Emperor Constantine's mother founded Stavrovuni Monastery and churches were established containing elaborate frescoes and mosaics.
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.
This 10th century gem of rare art, a sinu, is typical of the many Byzantine churches located throughout the island.
In 470 AD, Emperor Zeno of Constantinople proclaimed the Church of Cyprus independent and conferred on the archbishops three special privileges.
The right to wear imperial robes.
The right to bear a Byzantine scepter instead of a pastoral staff.
And the right to sign their names in red, a color used only by Byzantine emperors on state documents.
In the 12th century, the Lusignans occupied Cyprus and introduced the feudal system.
They built Gothic Latin churches and castles as a line of defense across the northern range of mountains.
Between these mountains and the sea is the picturesque town of Kyrenia, location of the formidable Kyrenia Castle.
It was originally a Byzantine fortress rebuilt by the Lusignans in 1208 and again by the Venetians early in the 16th century.
Like most historic castles, its past was glorious and tragic.
Today, it is a popular site for musical festivals and dramas.
High on a craggy cliff, 2 ,000 feet above sea level, is the dreamlike Castle of St.
Hilarion, named after a 6th century hermit.
During its history, it served as a church, a monastery, a fortress, and the summer residence of the Lusignans.
From these romantic ramparts, you are rewarded with spectacular views of grandeur.
The quaint village in the distance is the location of the famous Belapais Abbey, considered to be the best Gothic monument in the Levant.
In this peaceful atmosphere, the reverent monks of the 14th century washed before and after meals in this fountain, formerly a Roman sarcophagus.
The Greek people were faithful to their monks and erected their own churches, many still in use today.
These early churches and monasteries brought education to the villagers.
Kiko Monastery, one of 19 on the island, is the largest religious center of the Greek Orthodox Cypriots.
Pilgrims from all parts of the world have donated gifts of money and land for this monastery's work.
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.
These walls, 27 feet thick, proved the high standards of the mason's art.
The Tower of Otello, for which Shakespeare supposedly named his famous tragedy, was the Citadel of Famagusta.
The main entrance displays the winged lion of St.
Mark.
When the Turks besieged the city in 1571, they used every strategy known, but only by starvation could they conquer the heroic garrison.
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.
The principal shrine for the 18 % Turkish population of the island is the Teke of Lady Um Huram, near the coastal city of Larnaca.
A teke is equivalent to a Christian monastery.
When Turkey became involved in the First World War, Cyprus was annexed to Great Britain.
In later years, Greek Cypriots, who constitute about 80 % of the population, wanted union with Greece.
On August 16, 1960, Cyprus was proclaimed an independent republic, and Archbishop Makarios III was elected president, and Dr.
Fazil Kachouk, vice president.
By visiting the smaller villages, one becomes more familiar with the islander's way of life.
Because of the different cultures of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, the villages are rarely integrated.
However, the people are genuinely interested in visitors and their countries.
Many speak several languages, and all extend their traditional hospitality.
Several villages are famous for exquisite handicrafts.
In Lefkara, women work along narrow streets or on patios, creating pieces of lace that are sold in many parts of the world.
It is claimed that when Leonardo da Vinci visited the island in 1481, he bought Lefkara lace for the altar cloth of the Milan Cathedral.
Famous hill resorts and enchanting villages are located in the beautiful Trovos Mountains, 6 ,400 feet above sea level.
In addition to modern hotels, one may camp inexpensively in the pine -scented cool air, hike along well -maintained trails, participate in various sports, enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables in season, and marvel at Cedar Valley, where 30 ,000 of these stately trees grow.
One -fifth of the land area is covered with forests of pine, golden oak, cypress, and cedar.
Over 4 ,000 miles of golden sand beaches and hidden coves are suitable for all aquatic sports.
Every weekend, the harbor of Kyrenia is alive with activity.
Several coastal towns have sailing clubs, where visitors are welcomed as temporary members to enjoy the many regattas throughout the year.
This warm, translucent sea captivates skin divers who may be fortunate in finding amphora or other treasures hidden in the sea.
Thousands of Northern Europeans spend the winter at the many beach hotels in Famagusta to enjoy the sun and take part in various activities.
During the Crusades, Famagusta Harbor was the busiest port in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Today, from the same harbor, ships load potatoes, oranges, caribs, and other produce for export.
The oranges are the sweetest and juiciest found anywhere and have thick skins that make peeling easy.
Larnaca, a port on the southeast coast, is one of the many alluring towns offering countless pleasures.
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.
Flamingos migrate to this lake from Europe for the winter, then leave in the spring.
Larnaca is also the birthplace of Zeno, the Stoic philosopher, and the location of the American Academy.
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.
Limassol, the chief industrial and export center of the island, is the location of several wineries.
Colossi Castle was the home of the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers, who made the famous Comandaria wine.
This wine is still made and exported today, along with many other varieties.
The Cypriots grow over 90 ,000 tons of grapes annually, and some of the vines have also been exported to France and Madeira.
Several airlines serve this third -largest island in the Mediterranean and land near the capital, Nicosia.
Comfortable hotels ranging from luxury to fourth -class can be the visitors' headquarters during a memorable visit.
Lidra Street is the busiest in the capital.
Well -stocked shops offer all types of services and commodities.
The daily life of the people revolves around several picturesque squares within this walled city.
From the minarets of Salamiya Mosque, the muezzin calls the Muslims to prayer five times each day.
Rot iron grills on the windows of the modern concrete homes help diffuse the brilliant sunlight.
Many students are eager to learn the designing and welding of grill work in technical schools.
Cyprus also has modern gymnasiums, comparable to our high schools and private schools.
Elementary education is free, but not compulsory.
It is difficult to leave this lovely island.
Its friendly people, rich heritage, and peaceful vistas become memories which can never be forgotten.
They remain forever to lure one to return to Cyprus, a new republic.
