THE GIANT OAK TREE OF KAMPOS TIS TSAKKISTRAS
THE 350-YEAR-OLD OAK OF THE VILLAGE OF KAMPOS The giant 350-year-old oak tree of the village of Kampos Tis Tsakistirras has become the main local attraction in the area. Considered…
WHEN THE BYZANTINES RULED CYPRUS FROM 330 TO 1191
A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORICAL OVERVIEW TYPICAL BYZANTINE COINS FROM THE PERIOD GREEK ORTHODOX ICONOGRAPHY A DEPICTION OF EMPEROR CONSTANTINE THE DAWN OF THE BYZANTINE ERA The Byzantine Empire can trace its…
THE CITY-KINGDOMS OF ANCIENT CYPRUS
HOW THINGS ONCE WERE A REMARKABLE FEATURE OF THE ISLAND’S HISTORY Several ancient city-state kingdoms once governed Cyprus. Evidence suggests that some were settled as early as the 15th century…
THE DRAGOMAN OF CYPRUS
SKILLED CULTURAL MEDIATORS & POLITICAL NAVIGATORS WHAT IS A DRAGOMAN? The Ottoman Empire at its height was vast conquering several lands and many peoples. As their empire grew, the Ottomans…
THE UNIQUE CYPRIOT DIALECT OF GREEK ALSO KNOWN AS ‘KYPRIAKA’
A UNIQUE DIALECT FOR A UNIQUE PEOPLE A SPECIFIC VARIANT OF MODERN DAY GREEK Like Greece, the official language of the Republic of Cyprus is Greek. Cypriots, however, speak with…
WHO WERE THE PHOENICIANS OF CYPRUS?
AN ANCIENT CIVILISATION The Phoenicians were an ancient civilisation, originating from the region of modern-day Lebanon, parts of Syria and Israel. Known for their seafaring skills, trade networks, and unique…
THE LEGACY OF THE POLEMI CONCENTRATION CAMP
THE VILLAGE OF POLEMI The village of Polemi, in the district of Paphos, has a recent history that includes a little-known, yet uncomfortable reality. Situated on the foothills of the…
KALLIKANTZAROI, A CYPRIOT FOLKTALE
CHRISTMAS FOLK TALES A Cypriot Folktale So what are the “Kallikantzaroi? There are various descriptions of this mythical creature from Cypriot folk lore, but we will settle on this one.…
THE INTRIGUING TALE OF THE MV DIMITRIOS II
A WATERY GRAVE AN ILL-FATED SHIP The ill-fated MV Dimitrios II is a general cargo ship, measuring a total of 66 metres in total length. J.J. Sietas K.G. Schiffswerft Gmbh…
THE BRANDY SOUR STORY
CYPRUS’S UNOFFICIAL NATIONAL COCKTAIL BRANDY SOUR, FOREST PARK HOTEL, PLATRES WHAT GOES INTO A BRANDY SOUR? The Brandy Sour Story THE BARMAN, THE ROYAL & THE BOTTLE OF BRANDY The…