Larnaca is one of the largest cities in Cyprus. His history is incredibly interesting: he remembers both the Mycenaean Greeks, and the Phoenicians, and the army of Alexander the Great, and the raids of the Arabs … The rule of the Ptolemies, the rule of the Venetians, the Ottoman rule … Not many cities in the world are marked with the seals of so many cultures! All these cultures seem to have mixed, fused here into a single whole - something unique and bright. But what exactly is this uniqueness manifested, what exactly to see in Larnaca?
Top 10 attractions of Larnaca
Monastery Stavrovouni
Monastery Stavrovouni
Founded in the 4th century by the Roman Empress Helena. According to ancient legend, her ships sailed past Cyprus when a violent storm began. The Empress ordered to land ashore. Here the travelers were caught by night. An angel appeared to Elena in a dream, he ordered her to build several temples on the island. They were built over the years. One of them was the monastery, which today is one of the main attractions of the island.
Elena's ships were carrying Christian relics found during excavations in Jerusalem - crosses on which Christ and Dismas (also known as the "prudent robber") were crucified. Dismas's cross disappeared from the ship and was found hovering over the mountain on which the monastery is now located. Many centuries later, one Russian traveler claimed to have seen this cross hovering above the ground in the same place. Part of the cross on which Christ was raised is still in the monastery (it was donated to the monks by Empress Elena).
At the end of the 19th century, the monastery was badly damaged by fire. Its restoration began in the 20th century. Only in the 80s of the XX century, water supply and a telephone were installed here, electricity appeared in the monastery.
You can see the attraction in the morning (until noon), and the monastery is also open from 15:00 to 18:00. Only men are allowed to enter here. Women can visit the temple located at the very entrance to the monastery.
Agia Faneromeni Church
Agia Faneromeni Church
This famous landmark appeared in the city relatively recently - in the XX century. The building was built on the site where a Byzantine temple once stood. There is an ancient tomb right under the church. The first Christians secretly gathered here for divine services and joint prayers (this happened at a time when Christianity was banned, and those who professed it were persecuted and tortured).
Currently, the church, built over the ancient tomb, is considered miraculous. Many believers talk about being healed here of diseases. Also in this temple it is customary to pray for those who travel or live away from home.
During archaeological excavations, Phoenician tombs were found near the church. These findings date back to the 4th-6th centuries BC. NS.
Byzantine Museum of the Church of Saint Lazarus
Here you can see old manuscripts and scrolls, Byzantine icons, ancient church utensils … All these exhibits will make a huge impression not only on believers, but also on everyone who is interested in history.
The museum is located at the temple, which in itself is a unique attraction. Built in the 9th century, it was rebuilt many times. Both Orthodox and Catholic services were held in it, and during the period of Ottoman rule, it was even converted into a mosque.
The temple was consecrated in honor of Lazarus, resurrected by Christ, who lived after that for more than a dozen years and died in Cyprus. A church was erected on his grave.
For a long time it was believed that the relics of Lazarus were taken out of the city. More recently, this version has been refuted. The temple was undergoing repairs, during which a sarcophagus was discovered; the remains in it have been identified by researchers as the relics of Lazarus. It was concluded that the remains of the saint were only partially removed from the city.
Having visited the museum at the temple, be sure to see the church itself. Note the magnificent baroque gilded iconostasis from the 18th century.
Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque
Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque
This temple is one of the most revered Muslim shrines not only on the island, but throughout the world. It was erected in honor of a noble Arab lady who arrived in Cyprus with her husband and died here in an accident. She was the nanny of the Prophet Muhammad (according to another version, she was even his adoptive mother).
The temple, like the garden spreading around it, amaze with its exquisite beauty. Currently, the mosque is not operational (services are held here only twice a year), it can be viewed on any day of the week, except Sunday.
Near the mosque, archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient city. On its territory, objects of gold and ivory were found, as well as a scepter, the shape of which resembles a lotus.
Choirokitia
This historical and archaeological site, protected by UNESCO, is located near the city. It represents the remains of a Neolithic settlement. It consisted of flat-roofed circular buildings, some of which are currently being restored.
Only a few hundred people lived here. They were engaged in cattle breeding, growing grain crops, picking fruits. Most of the inhabitants were notable for their short stature (about one and a half meters). Life expectancy did not exceed 35 years. The dead were buried right under the floor of residential buildings. The cult of the dead flourished here (this is evidenced by the remains of various objects found in graves along with skeletons).
Kition
Kition
Remains of an ancient city-state founded in the Bronze Age. This historical and archaeological landmark was discovered at the end of the 19th century (during the drainage of the local swamps).
The city was once surrounded by very high walls. On its territory, the ruins of a huge temple of the goddess Astarte were found. The founders of the city were the Mycenaean Greeks, then it was subjected to numerous raids by the Persians, Egyptians, Assyrians, and was also badly damaged by the earthquake.
The city was rebuilt by the Phoenicians. They created those statuettes and household items that were later found by archaeologists. It was the Phoenicians who built a huge temple, the remains of which have survived to this day. Many finds of archaeologists today can be seen on the territory of the ancient city-state, as well as in the city Archaeological Museum.
Kamares Aqueduct
Kamares Aqueduct
Built in the 18th century, during the reign of the Ottomans. The aqueduct became a real gift for the residents of the city: earlier drinking water was delivered to the townspeople from afar, it was constantly in short supply, but now this problem has been solved once and for all.
The hydraulic structure consists of 75 arches. Its length is about 10 km. The townspeople used it until the 30s of the XX century, then a modern water supply system was built in the city. Soon after, the aqueduct began to collapse. Previously located outside the city limits, now it is in the very center of one of the city's districts. Active construction work was carried out here, which negatively affected the state of the architectural monument.
Currently, the city administration is doing everything to preserve the historical and architectural landmark from further destruction. It was decided to arrange a pedestrian zone near it and to prohibit any construction here.
Larnaca castle
Larnaca castle
It was built by Europeans in the XIV century. It was an important defensive structure. After 3 centuries, it was rebuilt by the Ottomans, who ruled the island at that time.
In the 19th century, the British stationed the police here, and the building was also used as a prison. Death sentences were carried out here. This continued until the middle of the 20th century. Then the castle was turned into a history museum. In the 60s of the XX century, during the urban unrest, some of its exhibits were stolen or damaged.
Currently, the museum displays photographs of ancient frescoes, medieval church utensils, a collection of ancient weapons … The museum is open seven days a week. Theatrical performances and classical music concerts are often held in its courtyard.
Kimon embankment
One of the most beautiful places in the city. Named in honor of the ancient military leader, whose monument is erected on the embankment. Also here you can see a monument to the philosopher Zeno of Kitiysky, a local native, the famous founder of Stoicism (philosophical school).
There are many luxurious palm trees on the embankment, due to which it is popularly called “palm”. Even on the hottest afternoon, here you can take refuge in the shade of palm leaves and take a break from the heat.
On the day of the Holy Trinity, a grand festival is held here. It is usually accompanied by ship parades, fireworks and a large fair.
Salt lake
Salt lake
Located near the southern outskirts of the city. It is a wintering place for several dozen species of birds. Here you can see both exotic flamingos and common wild ducks.
Once on the site of the lake there was a source of fresh water that fed the ancient city. The ruins discovered by archaeologists near the lake are the remains of that very city.
There is a legend about the origin of the salt reservoir. If you believe the legend, once upon a time there was a luxurious vineyard in these places. Once a saint passed by him, wishing to taste the grapes. But the greedy owner of the vineyard refused him, lying that it was a bad year. The saint asked what was then in the large baskets that were in plain sight. The hostess lied again, saying that there was salt in them. Since then, there is really a lot of salt in these places: it was even mined here on an industrial scale for a long time and supplied to various countries of the world.
