Limassol Panoramic
The island’s second largest city, Lemesos is the island’s main port, the centre of the wine industry and a bustling holiday resort.
The city fans out between two of the most spectacular archaeological sites in Cyprus built on cliff tops with spectacular views overlooking the sea – the ancient city-kingdoms of Amathous to the east and Kourion to the west. Finds from these sites have made their way abroad, such as an enormous stone vase, one of the largest ever found, unearthed at Amathous is now at the Louvre Museum in Paris, while objects from Kourion are displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The sun-kissed southern slopes of the Troodos mountains with their vineyards form a pleasant green backdrop to the city, dotted with delightful hillside villages known collectively as the 'Krassochoria' (or wine villages). The old forms of viticulture are still kept alive here producing the island’s best dry red wines.
The most famous of all the wines is Commandaria, one of the oldest named wines in the world, having had the same name for eight centuries. It was originally produced and exported by the Hospitallers, the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, from Kolossi castle, where they had their headquarters, or Grand Commandery, and which can still be seen today on the outskirts of the city.
Germasogeia dam and Akrotiri salt lake are unique wetlands ideal for observing nature and wildlife and peaceful places to relax, go for a walk or indulge in some angling. Birdwatching enthusiasts may see herons, ducks, chaffinches, cormorants and kestrels, or even the Greater Flamingo which winters at Akrotiri in the thousands.
HIGHLIGHTS
CURIUM ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
One of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island, Kourion was an important city kingdom where excavations continue to reveal impressive new treasures. Noted particularly for its magnificent Greco - Roman Theatre, Kourion is also proud home to stately villas with exquisite mosaic floors and an early Christian Basilica among other treasures.
Originally built in the 2nd century B.C., Kourion’s awe - inspiring theatre is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances. The House of Eustolios, consisting of a complex of baths and a number of rooms with superb 5th century A.D. mosaic floors, was once a private Roman villa before it became a public recreation centre during the Early Christian period. The Early Christian Basilica dates to the 5th century and was probably the Cathedral of Kourion, with a baptistery attached to the north face. The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators also have beautiful mosaic floors. The Nymphaeum, dedicated to the water nymphs, is an elegant Roman structure.
The 2nd century A.D. stadium is located outside the main Kourion site, about 1kilometre to the west on the right hand side of the road to Pafos. Also impressive is the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates, situated about 2,5 kilometres west of the ancient city.
Operating Hours: Daily: 08:00 - 17:00 (November - March), 08:00 - 18:00 (April -May, September - October), 08:00 - 19:30 (June - August)
Operating Period: All year round
Entrance Fee: 1,71 Euro
CAROB MUSEUM
The Carob Mill in Lemesos was originally built in the early 1900s when carobs were one of the main exports of Cyprus. They were used in the manufacture of such products as film, medicine, sweets and chocolates. Most of the machinery used in processing the carobs is intact and exhibited in a building that has been renovated so as to combine the authentic atmosphere of the past with the sophisticated high tech look of the present.
Address: Vasilissis Street, (behind Lemesos Medieval Castle) Lemesos
Operating Hours: Open daily
Operating Period: All year round
Entrance Fee: Free entrance
AGORA OF AMATHUS
In antiquity, a city’s agora was the traditional hub for commercial and political activities. In Amathous, the agora was a large rectangular stone - paved area, flanked by porticoes on three sides and a monumental square fountain in the centre. The small rooms at the back of the west portico were used as shops. Along the open, fourth side on the south ran the main road of the lower city. On the other side were the Hellenistic baths. Roman baths were found on the east of the east portico. The many buildings surrounding the agora played an important role in the public life of the city.
Address: Amathous, Lemesos
Operating Hours: Daily: 09:00 - 17:00 (November - March), 09:00 - 18:00 (April -May, September - October), 09:00 - 19:30 (June - August)
Operating Period: All year round
Entrance Fee: 1,71 Euro
AUTHOR
From the official website of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation
http://www.visitcyprus.com
