Choirokoitia



The Xoirokoitia is the best preserved prehistoric settlement in Cyprus, dating from the later phase of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (around 7000 BC). In 1998 it was declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
The name is said that probably came from the word cheirogitia suggesting exercise of palmistry. In another aspect perhaps stemmed from the possible initial Ierokotida name (holy place). Others claim that the name came from the words and round house because the prehistoric huts discovered there were round. Even the tradition says that it came from the phrase Hail Kition sent by the notorious and mysterious queen of Cyprus into a friend from Kition. It was also argued that perhaps the name came from the ANOVA plant cheromolia. With the simpler name cheromolia apantato the plant cultivated in Cyprus, but this version is considered very unlikely.
The settlement is built on a steep hillside on the West bank of the Maroni River, 6 km. From the sea. It is one of the most impressive examples of early establishment of permanent populations on the island. In the west, where the settlement is not naturally fortified, built a wide enclosure wall. Its construction requires collective effort, suggesting complex social organization.


Kyrenia Castle

The Kyrenia Castle is a castle located in Kyrenia port of Cyprus.

originally built by the Romans and in 7th century rebuilt by the Byzantines in their effort to protect the city from Arab raids. It was renovated in the 11th century to be renovated again by Lusitania rulers of Cyprus. In the 13th century castle built in the royal apartments which were later demolished by the Venetians. The Venetians restored again the castle, fortifying the walls and building new towers. In 1570 it came into the possession of the Ottomans and has since been used as a prison by the Ottomans and later by the British.

In 1955 the castle escaped 16 members of EOKA using sheets to descend from the ramparts. After 1960 the castle was used for cultural events. In 1974 during the Turkish invasion of the castle became a battle between small naval unit Cypriots and Turks.

In the castle hall is the Kyrenia ship, ancient vessel hull of the 4th century BC, which has been found in the sea, anelkythike and assembled.


CHURCH OF SAINT LAZARUS

One of the most important ancient Christian churches of Cyprus. From very old known in the Christian world, it was up to the first decades of this century, a necessary complement to the pilgrimage of the Holy Land.

It was built at the end of the 9th century (around 890-900m.Ch) by the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise on the tomb of the saint, in exchange for the transfer to Constantinople of the sacred relics of that time found in the grave.


ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF PAFOS

In 1980, the inclusion of the archaeological site of Kato Paphos in monuments list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage has been a starting point for creating a General Plan, whose aim would be primarily the protection and maintenance of archaeological treasures, as well as the promotion and to provide comprehensive information to visitors. The archaeological park of Kato Pafos includes sites and monuments from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, while most remains dating from the Roman period.

The marvelous mosaic floors of four Roman villas form the impressive epicenter of the finds. The complex also includes other important monuments such as the Asklepieion, the Odeon, the Agora, the Fortress of Forty Columns, ruins of the early Christian basilica of Limeniotissa and the "Tombs of the Kings".




Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek)
Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek)

Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek), also known as Aphrodite's Rock, is a sea stack in Pafos, Cyprus. It is located off the shore along the main road from Pafos to Limassol. The combination of the beauty of the area and its status in mythology as the birthplace of Aphrodite makes it a popular tourist location.



The sea in this region is generally rough, persuading tourists not to swim there. It is not permitted to climb the rock. A restaurant, a tourist pavilion and the Aphrodite Hills resort are nearby.

According to one legend, this rock is the site of the birth of the goddess Aphrodite, perhaps owing to the foaming waters around the rock fragments, and for this reason it is known as Aphrodite's Rock. Gaia (Mother Earth) asked one of her sons, Cronus, to mutilate his father, Uranus (Sky). Cronus cut off Uranus' testicles and threw them into the sea. Similarly the local version indicates that Aphrodite's Rock is a part of the lower body of Cronus! This legend says that Cronus ambushed his father and cut him below the waist with a scythe. Uranus as he tried to escape flying, lost parts of his truncated body and testicles into the sea. A white foam appeared from which a maiden arose, the waves first taking her to Kythera and then bringing her to Cyprus. The maiden, named Aphrodite, went to the assembly of gods from Cyprus. The Romans widely referred to her as Venus. Aphrodite attracted a large cult following in Pafos, which was eventually crushed by the Romans. This is evident from the Sanctuary of Aphrodite in Old Pafos, Kouklia. A local myth is that any person who swims around the Aphrodite Rock will be blessed with eternal beauty.



Another legend associates the name Achni with the nearby beach, and attributes this to it being a site where the Achaeans came ashore on their return from Troy.



The present name Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek) associates the place with the exploits of the hero Basil as told in the Digenes Akritas. Basil was half-Greek (Romios) and half-Arabic, hence the name Digenes (two-blood). Legend tells that the Christian Basil hurled the huge rock from the Troodos Mountains to keep off the invading Saracens. A nearby rock is similarly known as the Saracen Rock.

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