Find the Historic Cyprus
The history of Cyprus draws visitors and tourists in search of culture to her shores every year and it is hardly surprising. The Island is a genuine treasure chest of ancient ruins and historic places of interest. Over the centuries Cyprus has had numerous visitors and they haven't all come in search only for a sun tan or exiting nightlife.Each of these empires that occupied Cyprus, has left their mark forever on the Islands culture, and knowing where to look there is a fascinating historic trail to see.
Since 700 BC the first colonists of the Neolithic period arrived in the Island, there has been some invader or another adding her to their expanding territory. However, what history teaches us is that all empire rises only to fall. The island today governs itself, having survived with its own unique culture and way of life remaining intact.
The strongest influence on the Island are Greeks, as they remained ruled from 1050 BC to 800 BC by the time that Cyprus was made up of 10 autonomy Greek kingdoms.
A trip to the ancient city of Kourion, is a great starting point for your journey through the historic Cyprus. Kourion an early middle age theater is situate about 20 k outside Limassol.
With an excellent architecture, the most astonishing construction at Kourion is its 2000 seats where the crowds would have roared as gladiators locked together in mortal battle. Take this opportunity and make sure that you will see the remarkable mosaic floors that decorate many of the houses and the public baths. The great City of Kourion is another piece of the Historic Cyprus, as it remains until now after a series of catastrophes and earthquakes that occurred in the island.
Egyptians also visited the Island at least by three times; the first time was around 1500 BC, where the second visit was again in 500 BC with the last documentation about their last visit around 325 BC. Egyptians remained as the Island’s rulers until the Romans made their shown in 58 BC and decided to take over the Island. However, unfortunately most evidence of the Egyptian occupation in Cyprus has been obtained through the years first by Americans and later British. Although Egyptian artifacts can be also found in room 8 of the Cyprus museum in Nicosia, including some bronze tools, weaponry and stone statues of Egyptian Gods.
Romans also left a huge impact in Cyprus. Paphos is an excellent place fot those interested to see the Roman remains and the role that the Rome played in the historic Cyprus. Some fabulous ancient Roman ruins are situate there and the area is virtually littered with places of historic interest. About 300 yards from the Paphos harbor the mosaic floors of the ancient houses of Dionysus, Orpheus and Aion are located, along with the villa of Theseus. The mosaics are made from small cubes of marble and stone, and they are an astonishing sight designed with complex images which have taken months to create. The modern light house of Paphos located near the mosaic floors, stands from the second century AD Odeon which has been restored to host summer concerts and stage productions. Imagine an evening’s amusement sitting right where the Romans sat all those years ago and enjoying a great performance.
Furthermore, there are is more historic Cyprus and there are lots of evidence of the Venetian occupation and the Ottoman Empire. The Island has beautiful Byzantine churches, medieval forts and ancient monasteries. Cyprus next occupation was by the British who ruled Cyprus between the years 1878 to 1955, where Cyprus gained its independent 5 years later in 1960. In 1974, Turkey invaded the North side of the Island and it remains the same since then.