Limassol Region Of Cyprus

Limassol is the largest municipality in Cyprus and has experienced great development after the Turkish invasion in 1974. Since then it has become the biggest port in the Mediterranean for tourist and trade transit in the area.

Limassol is renowned for its long cultural tradition and boasts a wide spectrum of activities, museums and archaeological sites. A unique combination of ancient, Frankish, Byzantine and other modern influences are here to be enjoyed. Limossol provides a flashback into the history of Cyprus as it is steeped in Greek mythology and the conquests by Franks, Romans, Venetians, Ottomans, British and more recently part of it in 1974 by the Turks.

During the Crusades, Richard the Lion-Heart, leader of the Third Crusade landed in Limassol to free his betrothed, Berengaria of Navarre, who was held captive by the Byzantine sovereign. They married in the town and afterwards had the most extravagant party the island has ever seen.

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Limassol is commonly recognised as the wine-making town of Cyprus. Historically Limassol was the centre of the wine trade and wine making in Cyprus and almost all exports of wine and spirits were made from the port of Limassol There are two well known vine areas for the production of the quality table wines, Krasohoria and Pitsilia.

Every house in the wine village of Limassol was also a small winery where the owner vine grower had all the apparatus for the making, storing, aging and transporting of the wine. The small vine-grower felt joy and pride when he could invite guests to his dining table and offer his own vintage which had been aging for more than a year.

For those interested in eco-tourism, there are plenty of other attractions. Mention should be made of its rich forest cover that includes oak, cyprus, black pine and other types of vegetation. Wildlife comprises mainly some small mammals, such as the mouflon (deer-like goat), fox, hare, hedgehog and 61 species of birds, besides snakes and lizards.

The nearby Troodos Mountains are a tourists' delight and Cypriots describe them as the “Fruit basket of Europe”. Apples, apricots, grapes, strawberries, cherries, bananas, oranges, melons, pistachio and almonds are among the fruits that grow in the rich, fertile soil of the Troodos Mountains.

The beaches of Limassol are a mixture of sand and pebbles with the favourite ones being Curium, Lady's Mile, Governors Beach and Dasoudi. In the old town of Limassol shopping opportunities are excellent.

All water sports are widely available, including scuba diving, water skiing, water sailing, windsurfing, para-sailing and boating.

There are numerous restaurants and tavernas to suit everyones taste including Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Italian, typical Cypriot taversas, pizzerias, kebab bars, but seafood lovers should head for the fish tavernas dotted all along the coast.

Nightlife in Limassol can be quiet or lively as there are plenty of discos, nightclubs and bars to choose from.

LIMASSOL CASTLE - CYPRUS MEDIAEVAL, MUSEUM

Built in the 14th century on the site of an earlier Byzantine castle. According to tradition, Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England here in 1191. The castle houses the Cyprus Medieval Museum.

LIMASSOL DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Interesting collection of antiquities found in the Limassol area from the Neolithic Age to the Roman Period.

FOLK ART MUSEUM

This beautiful collection of Cypriot folk art of the 19th and early 20th century is housed in a restored old house. The collection includes national costumes, tapestry, embroidery etc.

LIMASSOL MUNICIPAL ART GALLERY

The art gallery houses a representative collection of paintings of well known contemporary Cypriot artists.

KOLOSSI CASTLE

A fine example of military architecture, originally constructed in the 13th century and subsequently rebuilt in its present form in the middle of the 15th century. After the fall of Acre in 1291, it served as the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem . In the 14th century it came under the domain of the Knights Templar.

Nearby are the ruins of a sugar mill dating back to the 14th century.

KOURION MUSEUM

Collection of finds from nearby archaeological sites, exhibited in a beautiful old house.

KOURION

An important ancient city and one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island where excavations still bringing new treasures to light. The magnificent Graeco-Roman theatre was originally built in the 2nd century BC and is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances.
The House of Eustolios, originally a private Roman villa, became a public recreation centre during the early Christian period. It consists of a complex of baths and a number of rooms with beautiful 5th century AD mosaic floors. The early Christian basilica dates to the 5th century and was probably the Cathedral of Kourion with a baptistery attached to the north face.

The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators have beautiful mosaic floors. The Nymphaeum, dedicated to water nymphs, is an elegant Roman structure.

SANCTUARY OF APOLLO HYLATES

Apollo Hylates, God of the Woodland, was the protector of the city of Kourion. The cult of Apollo was celebrated here from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. The southwest side of the temple has been restored and excavations have also revealed other structures of this important sanctuary such as the bath complex, the pilgrim halls, the palaistra and a holy precinct.

AMATHUS

One of the ancient city-kingdoms of Cyprus where, according to mythology, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be taken care of after his battle with the Minotaur. A very important cult of Aphrodite-Astarte flourished here. Excavations have revealed parts of the Acropolis and Agora areas, as well as part of the upper and lower city. The remains date from the Archaic, Roman and Christian periods.

AYIOS GEORGIOS ALAMANOU CONVENT

Originally founded in the 12th century. The nuns, besides performing their religious rites, spend their time icon-painting and cultivating flowers, herbs and honey.

PANAGIA TIS AMASGOU CONVENT

The small church dedicated to Virgin Mary was built at the end of the 11th century. It has some rare mural paintings of the 12th, 14th and 18th centuries, equivalent in beauty and significance to those of Asinou and Panagia tou Araka. Part of the monastic buildings has been renovated according to the original plan.