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Napa Panorama villa Ref. No: 233 - reduced prices for April and October bookings...
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Things to do :: Interesting Sites :: Larnaca
Objects - 326
As the home of the island`s main airport and secondary port, Larnaca is clearly the island`s bridge to the rest of the world. At the same time, Larnaca`s strong links with the past are scattered across the city.
Area Highlight:
Larnaka - Dhekelia Road
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The truth is that many visitors who are in the centre of Larnaca may not discover the periferal coastal tourist zone known as the "Larnaka-Dhekelia Road". And sadly, others who have booked the hotel along that road might miss the opportunity to fully appriciate the historical wealth and cultural treasures of the city itself. However, there is no doubt that Larnaka-Dhekelia Road is a by-product of the long sandy beach at this point, which seems to stretch as far as the eye can see. During the summer, this coatal stretch has a magnetic effect, drawing bathers not only from the numerous hotels that line the coast, but from further inland, all the way to Nicosia. By sunset, the first signes of beach parties start to appear, with music, dance and barbecues in the moonlight.
Ancient Monuments & Sites:
Kition Arheological site
Kition, now mostly buried under modern Larnaca, was an important ancient city. Originally settled by the Mycenaeans and the Phonicians 3,000 years ago, it was the birthplace of Zeno the philosopher and, according to tradition, its first Christian bishop was Lazarus. Several interesting pre-Greek shrines have been uncovered here.
Hala Sultan Tekke - Salt Lake
The Hala Sultan Tekke is an Islamic shrine, unusual in that it is dedicated to a woman, built between 1760 and 1796. Overlooking the Salt Lake, where flamingoes stop en route from Africa in spring and autumn, it is a peaceful, beautiful spot for a mosque.
The woman in question was Umm Haram, aunt of an associate of the Prophet Mohammed, who was thrown from her mule and died here in 649 during the first Arab invasion of Cyprus. A place of pilgrimage for Muslims, the building did not actually become a site of veneration until the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus in 1571.
Archaeologists think that in ancient times the site was originally a temple to Artemis, founded where the important commodity of salt was manufactured.
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Opening hours:
Apr-May & Sep-Oct: 9am-6pm
Jun-Aug 7:30am-7:30pm
Nov-Mar: 9am-5pm
Kalavasos Tenta - Neolothic Settlement
40 km from Larnaka or 53 km south from Nicosia. Tenta, one of the most important Neolithic settlements in Cyprus of 7000 BC, lies near the village of Kalavasos.
Museums:
Larnaca District Archeological Museum
Interesting finds rom the Larnaka area deting from the Neolithic Age to Roman period.
Kalograion Str, Tel: 24 30 41 69
Larnaca District Medieval Museum
(Larnaca Fort)
The Larnaca Fort was built in 1625. It was used as a prison in the firdt years of British rule. It houses the District Medieval Museum. During the summer the fort is also used as the Larnaka Municipal Cultural Centre.
Larnaca Seafront, Tel: 24 30 45 76
Municipal Museum of Natural History
The museum has displays of rare insects, birds and animals of Cyprus.
Leoforos Grigori Afxentiou, (within the Larnaca municipal gardens), Tel: 24 65 25 69
Byzantine Monasteries:
Stavrovouni Monastery
9 km off the Nicosia - Lemesos road, 40 km from Larnaca. Pearched on a rocky peak, Stavrovouni means Moutain of the Cross. According to the tradition it was founded in the 4th century by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, who left a fragment of the Holly Cross at the mountain. The brothehood is extremely devout, keeping vows as strict as those of the Mount Athos brotherhood in Greece. Women are not allowed to visit the monastery.
Churches:
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Agios Lazaros Church
Saint Lazaros is the patron saint of Larnaka. Kition became his second home after his resurrection by Christ, and he lived here for another 30 years. In the 9th century a magnificent church was erected over his tomb by Emperor Leo V|. The church, one of the finest examples of Byzantine archetecture in Cyprus, was faithfully restored in the 17th century, and the iconostasis is an excellent example of baroque woodcarving.
Plateia Agiou Lazarou, Tel: 24 65 24 98
Kiti village: Angeloktisti Church
Angeloktisti means "Built by the Angels". This 11th century Byzantine Church was erected over the ruins of an Early Christian basilica. The original apse survived together with one of the finest pieces of Byzantine art, a rare 6th century mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Child between the two archangels, which rivals the Ravenna Mosaics.
11 km west of Larnaca, Tel: 24 42 46 46
Cultural Centres and Art Galleries:
Municipal Cultural Center & Gallery
Leoforos Athinon, Plateia Evropis, Seafront promenade, Tel: 24 65 88 48
Traditional villages:
Lefkara village, the home of handicrafts
40 km from Larnaka
The charming village is famous for its handmade lace, known as "Lefkaritika", and for its silverware. The Lace and Silversare Museum of Lefkara is located in the beautiful house of Patsalos. The single-aisle vaulted church of Arhangelos Michail in Kato Lefkara is decorated with frescoes of the late 12th century. In Pano Lefkara, the Church of the Holy Cross is known for its beautiful 18th century iconostasis and a unique 13th century silver cross.
