In the 15 days spent in Cyprus we also had the opportunity to discover the cultural side of the island. A land with a controversial nature, it is the place where the history of two peoples meets and clashes. To the south the Democratic Republic of Cyprus with strong Greek influences, to the north the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus occupied by the Turks in '74. Historically the island has been a crossroads between the East and the West and precisely because of its strategic importance it has undergone many dominations: there are traces of the Roman and Byzantine dominations but also of the more modern British sovereignty.
Here is our list of the 10 attractions in Cyprus that are absolutely not to be missed.
1. Kykkos Monastery
The Kykkos Monastery, founded during the Byzantine period, is located in southern Cyprus, in the western part of the Troodos mountain range at an altitude of 1318. The road to reach it is long and winding but it is absolutely worth it. The buildings of the monastic complex date back to different eras. The spaces, in particular the external walls and outdoor corridors, have been largely restored. Most of the decorations are made of glass paste and enamel with gold leaf which adorn the entrance, the walls of the courtyard and the corridors in order to harmoniously bind to the architectural particularity of the complex, giving it an almost surreal light.
At the center of the complex is the temple, around it various sections of the abbey. On the upper floor the library and the monks' cells. Next to the temple is a large paved courtyard with a well. Further on the stairs lead to the lower floor with another open courtyard with a large well in the center and a shop with monastery products. Right in front of the shop there is a huge mosaic of the Virgin Mary. Next to the monastery church, the interior leaves you speechless with its decorations and the light it emanates. It is "L" shaped and consists of two different churches: the first in an elongated basilica shape, the second in a centered Greek cross.
2. Bellapais Abbey
L'Bellapais Abbey is located in Northern Cyprus, in the small village of Bellapais, near Girne (Kyrenia) in Northern Cyprus. It is what remains of a monastery built in the 13th century in Gothic style, made up of imposing arches and a large terrace overlooking the Mediterranean offering an astonishing view over the valley to the sea. The visit does not take long but it is a little jewel to absolutely visit. It has been called the most interesting Gothic church in the Middle East.
Sober and elegant, it is characterized by ribbed vaults. A staircase leads to the roof of the cloister, from which you can enjoy a very suggestive view of the abbey. The fourteenth-century structure of the courtyard is complete on three sides, adorned with bas-reliefs and small sculptures that embellish the pointed arches that open all around. On one side of the cloister there are two ancient Roman sarcophagi used as a fountain and sink. Behind it you enter the refectory, where there is the pulpit from which the Holy Scriptures were read during meals.
3. St. Hilarion Castle
The St. Hilarion Castle it is located in the mountains of the Kyrenia mountain range in the north of the island of Cyprus, near the town of Girne (Kyrenia). It was originally a monastery, whose name came from a monk who presumably had chosen the place, where a monastery and a church had been built in the 10th century, as his hermitage. It is the best preserved of the three castles that dominated the sea, together with the castles of Kantara and Buffavento.
The castle is divided into three sections all connected by steep stairs. The middle and lower ones were used for services, while the upper one hosted the royal family. The stables and accommodation for the soldiers were located in the lower wing. Prince John's Tower is located on a cliff above the castle while the church is in the middle wing. The upper wing was reserved for royalty and can be accessed through a well-preserved archway. Along the western walls, there is a breathtaking view of Cyprus and from the queen's window, you can see the city of Girne.
4. Tombs of the Kings
The Tombs of the Kings (Modern Greek: Τάφοι των Βασιλέων) is a large necropolis located about two kilometers north-west of Paphos in southern Cyprus. This necropolis, symbolically called the Tombs of the Kings due to the magnificence of the tombs it houses, was used for the burial of the deceased during the Hellenistic and Ptolemaic periods. The tombs were very elaborate structures with a courtyard, peristyle and columns and even today one can imagine their grandeur. The hypogea of this area were excavated starting from the 3rd century BC and are located in an area made up of small escarpments and rocky cliffs, called paleokastro (ancient city).
The visit to the Tombs of the Kings is a very special experience especially due to the mystical atmosphere that can be felt when walking around the site. The area is characterized by a barren and rocky expanse that ends sheer in a cobalt blue sea. In addition to the classical tombs and burial mounds, the most famous tombs, dating back to the 3rd century BC, have been completely dug into the rock. In many of them it is possible to enter and walk through the tunnels that connect one tomb to another. Some were built as if they were houses, with the burial chambers facing the peristyle, the portico supported by Doric columns overlooking the garden or courtyard. On the walls of some tombs you can sometimes find traces of the frescoes and you can perceive a general sensation of majesty and opulence.
5. Buyuk Han
L Buyuk Han (Modern Greek: Μεγάλο Πανδοχείο) is the largest caravanserai on the island of Cyprus, located in the Turkish part of Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. It was built by the Ottomans in 1572 and served as a place of rest and refreshment for merchants and travellers. Today it hosts artisan workshops and galleries as well as a few restaurants where you can have lunch in the internal courtyard surrounded by a cheerful and spicy atmosphere.
Externally it resembles a fortress, in fact during the colonial period it was used as a central prison. Entrance is possible from two entrances, one to the east and one to the west. Inside it is composed of two floors with a square plan. The rooms on the ground floor each have a segmental arched door, an arched window and a hearth. These rooms were originally used as shops, warehouses and offices. Two symmetrical stone staircases at the northwest and southeast corners of the courtyard lead to the upper floor. Here the rooms, which were originally bedrooms, have segmental arched doors with machicolations at the top. There are also windows looking onto the outside of the Han with loopholes above, hearths with octagonal chimneys and niches. In the center of the open courtyard is a mosque with a fountain for ablutions before prayers.
6. Ancient Kourion
L'Ancient Kourion it is a settlement that dates back to the 13th century BC. C. The site is located near Limassol, in the southern part of Cyprus. The site is very large and it takes at least 3 hours to visit it all but the route is very well signposted and easy to follow. It is also located in a raised position with respect to Episkopi Bay and offers wonderful views with a splendid view of the sea and the coast.
Among the most beautiful monuments is the imposing amphitheater, perfectly restored which still hosts theatrical performances, concerts and ballets today. Nearby is the Villa of Eustolios, a private residence built by a wealthy 5th-century Christian inhabitant decorated with ornate mosaics, and an interesting complex of Roman baths with an ingenious underfloor heating system. Other mosaics are preserved in the House of Achilles and in the nearby House of the Gladiators.
7. Hala Sultan Tekke
There Hala Sultan Tekke It is located in southern Cyprus, on the western shore of the Larnaka salt lake, a shallow expanse of brackish water which in summer, completely dried up by the heat, becomes a shining expanse of salt that acts as a mirror to the surroundi