Cyprus, or if you prefer the island of Aphrodite, is an island rich in history and full of archaeological sites that will take more than one visit just to see them all.
Here are 10 facts about historical Cyprus:
1. In the past years Cyprus was also known as the “Playground of the Gods” due to the fact that Aphrodite, the Goddess of Beauty was said to be risen out of the water somewhere between Paphos and Limassol. The site is now called “Petra tou Romiou” and it rumoured that if you swim 3 times around the rock that Aphrodite was born you will stay young and beautiful.
2. Cyprus used to be one of the richest nations of the ancient world and this was due to the vast amount of natural copper and Bronze resources which were exported from the island. The modern name of Cyprus derives from the ancient Greek word copper.
3. The island holds one of the oldest Neolithic settlements of the world, Choirokoitia. Choirokoitia is set between Limassol and Larnaca and is also the most important in Europe.
4. 3 Unesco World Heritage Sites are in Cyprus. The old city of Paphos, Choirokoitia and the Painted churches of Troodos (the mountain region).
5. Archaeological findings suggest that the first inhabitants of the island are dated more than 10000 years ago.
6. Famagusta, today known as the “Ghost city”, was one of the richest cities in the known world during the Frank and Venetian empires.
7. The Byzantine Museum in Nicosia is the museum holding the largest collection of Byzantine Art in Cyprus.
8. One of the most important historic religious sites in Cyprus and Greece is the Sanctuary of Apollo Ylatis which was built in the 5th Century BC near Kourium, Limassol.
9. Cyprus was the first country to be governed by a Christian on 45AD after becoming a province of the Roman Empire.
10. King Richard the Lionheart married Queen Joanna at Limassol Castle on the 12th of May of 1191. To this day this is the only venue outside of the UK where an English Royal wedding was hosted.
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