| |
|
| |
Ayios Lazaros
Church
Saint Lazarus is the patron saint of Larnaca. Kition
became his second home after his resurrection by Christ, and
he lived here for another 30 years. He was ordained Bishop
of Kition by Saints Barnabas and Mark.
In the 9th century a magnificent church was erected over his
tomb by Emperor Leo VI. The church, one of the finest examples
of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus, was faithfully restored
in the 17th century, and the iconostasis is an excellent example
of baroque woodcarving. Visitors can see the tomb of Saint
Lazarus under the sanctuary and an ecclesiastical museum behind
the church.
Eight days before the Greek Orthodox Easter the icon of Saint
Lazarus is taken in procession through the streets of Larnaca.
Visitors can see the tomb of the Saint Lazarus under the sanctuary
and the ecclesiastical musuem behind the church. Tel. (04)
652489
|
|
| |
Choirokoitia
About 20 miles (32km) from Larnaca on the Lefkosia-Lemesos
road archaeological excavations have revealed one of the oldest
Neolithic sites on Cyprus, dating to 7,000 BC. Choirokoitia
(also known as Khirokitia) was home to primitive farmers who
cultivated wheat and barley. Visitors can explore the settlement’s
defensive wall, circular houses and tombs. The site is close
to the dry Maroni riverbed atop a hill that was once covered
in dense vegetation. It was first excavated in 1934, but excavations
by French archaeologists are continuing. Four of the beehive-shaped
houses made of mud and stone have been reconstructed to show
how these early farmers lived. Most of the archaeological
finds from Choirokoitia are displayed in the Cyprus Museum
in Nicosia.
Opening time: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5pm; Saturday and
Sunday 9am to 5
|
|
| |
Stavrovouni
Monastery
Perched on top of a solitary mountain, 25 miles (40km)
from Larnaca and six miles (10km) off the Lefkosia-Lemesos
Road, is the oldest monastery in Cyprus, founded in the 4th
century by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.
The monastery contains an important relic, a fragment of the
Holy Cross. It is however only accessible to men; women are
not allowed to enter.
Opening time: Daily except between the hours of 12pm and 1pm
(men only)
|
|
| |
Larnaca Medieval
Museum
This fascinating and well-stocked museum is housed
in the Larnaca fort on the city’s seafront. The fort
was built in 1625 and was used as a prison during the early
years of British rule. The fort also operates as the Larnaca
Municipal Cultural Centre during the summer.
Opening time: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 5pm; Thursday 7.30am
to 6pm
|
|
| |
Angeloktisti
Church
Kiti village, 11km west of Larnaka
Angeloktisti means "built by the angels".
This 11th century Byzantine church was built on a destroyed
early Christian basilica, the apse of which survives together
with one of the finest pieces of Byzantine art, a 6th century
mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Child between two archangels,
which rivals the Ravenna Mosaics.
|
|
| |
Hala Sultan Tekke
Larnaca Salt Lake.
Built in 1816 over the tomb of Umm Haram, allegedly a relative
of the Prophet Mohammed, who died on this spot in 649 during
the first Arab raids. The mosque is an important place of
Moslem pilgrimage ranking immediately after the shrines of
Mecca, Medina and Al Aqsha in Jerusalem.
|
|
| |
Kition
Approximately 500 m. northeast of the Archaeological
Museum. One of the most important of the ancient city-kingdoms,
with architectural remains dating back to the 13th century
BC. In about 1200 BC, it was rebuilt by the Mycenaean Greeks,
and excavations have revealed cyclopean walls made of giant
blocks of stone and a complex of five temples.
|
|
| |
Phinikoudes
The Phinikoudes promenade, famed for its palm trees, suitably named due to the
fact that Phinikia, translated into English, means palm tree. The beach is
suitable for all ages and a favourite with the tourists. In the evening the
Phinikoudes seafront offers the best night out in Larnaca, with countless
choices of pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs, which have events mostly during
the Summer and bring world famous DJs to ensure a great night out.
|
|
| |
Kamares Aqueduct
Kamares area on the Larnaca - Limassol road.
A beautiful 18th century aqueduct which was in use until 1930.
|
|
| |
The bust Kimon
At the seafront promenade.
The Athenian General Kimon led 200 triremes in 450 BC to free
Cyprus from the Persians. He died while he was besieging Kition.
|
|
| |
Larnaca District Archaeological Museum
Plateia Kalogreon Tel: (24) 63 01 69
Interesting collection of finds from the Larnaca area dating
from
the Neolithic Age to the Roman period.
|
|
| |
The Pierides Foundation Museum
Zinonos Kitieos 4 Tel: (24) 65 24 95
The oldest privately owned museum in Cyprus, set up by Dimitrios
Pierides (1811 -1895). It houses ancient, medieval, Byzantine
and more recent objects belonging to the Pierides family.
A display case of modern Greek and Cypriot sculptures can
be seen in the courtyard
|
|
| |
Larnaca Fort - Local Medieval Museum
Larnaca seafront.
Built in 1625, it was used as a prison in the first years
of British rule. It houses the District Mediaeval Museum.
The fort is also used as the Larnaca Municipal Cultural Centre
during the summer.
|
|
| |
Larnaca Municipal Cultural Center
Plateia Evropis - Seafront promenade, Tel: (24) 65
88 48
Five old Larnaca Customs warehouses, built in the colonial
style (1881), have recently been renovated and turned into
the Larnaca Municipal Cultural Centre. It houses the Municipal
Gallery and the only Palaeontology Museum in Cyprus, where
the ancient fossilised remains of pygmy elephants and hippopotami
that once lived on the island can be seen. The Centre also
has facilities for occasional exhibitions.
|
|
|